Senior Estimating Manager (design-build MEP)

Jobot; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 105,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobot in Rochester, MN is seeking a Senior Estimating Manager to plan, coordinate, and supervise the company’s estimating program. You will own the development of the estimating department, its protocols, policies, and KPIs, and implement the department’s overall strategy on high‑value projects.

You will lead a team of estimators, coordinate with suppliers and subcontractors, and drive bid opportunities while upholding safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of mechanical HVAC and piping estimating experience.
• 10+ years knowledge of corporate objectives affecting estimating, estimating strategies and contracts.
• 10+ years using industry-standard estimating and takeoff software.
• 5+ years leading, coaching, and mentoring an estimating team.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related technical field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and/or perform the estimation process, coordinating with suppliers, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Oversee and/or prepare estimates utilizing estimating software.
• Lead pre-bid, page-turn, project turnover, and pre-planning meetings as required.
• Review final estimate packages for accuracy and completeness prior to quotation.
• Administer estimating systems, including software upgrades, training, and pricing updates.
• Manage the division estimating team, recruiting, training, developing, and mentoring.

Skills

HVAC estimating

Piping estimating

Estimating software

Strategic planning

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

Estimating software

Cost databases

Bid management software

Job description

RELOCATION REQUIRED & OFFERED (the role is in Rochester, MN) + Large projects ($100M+) + High Growth + Great Culture + High Bonuses

Salary: $105,000 - $158,000 per year

A bit about us:

ENR Top 10 Mechanical Firm

We’re one of the country’s leading mechanical contractors, delivering HVAC, piping, and mechanical solutions on projects of every size and complexity — from stadiums and hospitals to power plants, manufacturing facilities, concert halls, and classrooms. Operating from multiple regional locations nationwide, we pair the stability, resources, and reach of a national firm with the team culture, creative spirit, and customer loyalty of a local business. We’ve grown roughly 70% in the past year and have been recognized year after year as a top place to work — a reflection of the flat, highly collaborative culture we’ve built and the people we keep investing in.

Why join us?

• Real growth, real momentum — ~70% growth in the past year means new projects, new scope, and a clear runway to advance
• Build something that’s yours — you’re not inheriting a polished machine; you’ll architect the estimating department’s strategy, standards, and systems from the ground up
• Lead and shape a team — step in as the leader that estimators have been waiting for, with full ownership of how the group develops
• Award-winning, top-workplace culture — recognized year after year, with a flat, collaborative structure where your voice actually carries
• National strength, local feel — the resources and project variety of a national contractor with the tight-knit culture of a local shop

Job Details

As Senior Estimating Manager, you will plan, coordinate, and supervise the company’s estimating program, providing technical and administrative direction to ensure corporate objectives are met. You’ll own the continuous development and improvement of the estimating department — including its protocols, policies, procedures, metrics, historical cost databases, and cost models — and you’ll create and implement the department’s overall strategy.

Strategic Planning

• Establish standardized procedures, methods, and processes for estimating; oversee analyses of past project performance and set estimating standards for all future estimates; assist in oversight of the historical cost database, bid management, and estimating software
• Actively participate in various corporate strategic initiatives as assigned
• Coordinate and lead pre‑bid strategy meetings
• Establish protocols, policies, procedures, and KPIs — and follow up to ensure execution
• Source and analyze competitive bid opportunities in the region

Estimating

• Oversee and/or perform the estimation process, ensuring the team coordinates with suppliers, vendors, and subcontractors
• Oversee and/or prepare estimates utilizing estimating software
• Oversee and/or attend pre‑bid, page‑turn, project turnover, and pre‑planning meetings as required
• Oversee and/or assist/prepare scope and proposal letters
• Review all final estimate packages to ensure accuracy and completeness prior to formal quotation
• Administer the estimating systems, including software upgrades, training, and pricing updates

Leadership

• Manage the division estimating team — recruiting, training, developing, motivating, and mentoring
• Foster the desired company culture
• Emphasize a strong safety culture at all times
• Provide growth and development opportunities through training and continuing education

Organizational Support and Relationship Building

• Collaborate with corporate and project management to determine which projects to bid, plus strategies and techniques
• Participate in presentations to corporate management and clients; may be responsible for closing the "sale"
• Initiate and lead the project turnover process, including turnover meetings, job set‑up, and pre‑planning; assist the project team as necessary
• Provide technical assistance in negotiating contracts, change orders, etc. as required
• Work closely with Superintendents and Foremen; provide job information as necessary
• Develop customer partnerships that generate long‑term relationships and ongoing opportunities
• Build mutual trust, respect, and cooperation with clients

What We’re Looking For In You

• 10+ years of mechanical HVAC and piping estimating experience
• 10+ years of knowledge of corporate objectives impacting estimating, estimating strategies and techniques, and construction contracts
• 10+ years using industry‑standard estimating and takeoff software
• 5+ years leading, coaching, and mentoring an estimating team
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or a related technical field preferred

Jobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide an inclusive work environment that celebrates diversity and all qualified candidates receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Jobot also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. It is Jobot’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.