Senior Estimator

W3Global; Lee (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

W3Global is seeking an experienced Preconstruction Full Charge Estimator - Assistant Manager to lead preconstruction estimating for commercial building projects. The role requires strong knowledge of CSI divisions, quantity takeoffs, subcontractor pricing, and bid development, with the ability to oversee estimating staff and mentor junior personnel.

The ideal candidate will manage detailed cost estimates, perform risk analyses, and coordinate with clients, architects, and vendors to secure

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of estimating experience in commercial building general contracting.
• Experience in full-charge estimating and preconstruction for commercial projects.
• Extensive knowledge of CSI divisions, trades, and construction methods.
• Proficiency in quantity takeoffs, subcontractor pricing, bid leveling, and cost analysis.
• Experience with renovations and ground-up construction.
• Strong leadership, communication, and client engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead preconstruction estimating for commercial projects across CSI divisions.
• Oversee estimating staff: hiring, training, workload planning, performance reviews.
• Prepare and review quantity takeoffs, subcontractor quotations, budgets, and cost estimates.
• Develop preconstruction strategies for negotiated, hard-bid, and public/private sector proposals.
• Lead proposal development, client presentations, and bid documentation.
• Build relationships with clients, owners, architects, contractors, and vendors.
• Prequalify subcontractors and ensure competitive pricing.
• Coordinate scopes of work and estimates across CSI divisions.
• Identify risks, pricing discrepancies, and scope gaps during preconstruction.

Skills

Estimating experience

Leadership

Negotiation

Client relationships

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Tools

STACK

Takeoff software

Estimating databases

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Preconstruction Full Charge Estimator - Assistant Manager with a strong background in commercial building construction and general contracting. This individual will lead preconstruction estimating activities across multiple project types, including renovations and ground-up construction, while supporting the development of estimating staff, subcontractor relationships, client engagement, and business development initiatives. The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of construction trades, CSI divisions, quantity takeoffs, subcontractor bidding, cost analysis, and preconstruction strategy, along with the leadership skills necessary to manage estimating workflows and support successful project execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead preconstruction estimating for commercial building projects across all CSI divisions, including renovations, interior build-outs, and ground-up construction.
• Oversee and support estimating staff, including hiring, training, workload planning, performance management, and development.
• Prepare and review detailed quantity takeoffs, subcontractor quotations, vendor pricing, project budgets, and comprehensive cost estimates.
• Develop preconstruction strategies for negotiated projects, competitive hard bids, and public and private sector proposals.
• Lead the preparation of proposals, presentations, bid documentation, and supporting materials for prospective and existing clients.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, owners, architects, consultants, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Identify, evaluate, and prequalify subcontractors and vendors to ensure competitive and reliable project pricing.
• Define clear scopes of work for bidders and coordinate trade-specific estimates across all relevant CSI divisions.
• Conduct cost analysis, budgeting, forecasting, bid comparisons, and contract negotiations to support project awards.
• Identify potential project risks, pricing discrepancies, scope gaps, and construction challenges during preconstruction.
• Support business development, marketing, procurement, and strategies for securing new client relationships.
• Maintain and develop cost databases, estimating records, historical pricing, and bid documentation.
• Use construction estimating and quantity takeoff software to prepare accurate, competitive estimates.
• Improve estimating processes, procedures, and cost management practices.
• Coordinate preconstruction handoffs to the construction team, ensuring clear scopes, budgets, assumptions, and project documentation.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5-8 years of estimating experience with a commercial building general contractor.
• Strong experience in full-charge estimating and preconstruction for commercial construction projects.
• Extensive knowledge of CSI divisions, construction trades, building systems, and construction methods.
• Proven expertise in quantity takeoffs, subcontractor and vendor pricing, bid leveling, cost analysis, and budget development.
• Experience estimating both renovation and ground-up construction projects.
• Ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications, bid documents, and scopes of work.
• Experience preparing negotiated proposals and competitive bids for public and private sector projects.
• Strong understanding of subcontractor procurement, scope coordination, and cost risk identification.
• Experience maintaining estimating databases, historical cost records, and bid documentation.
• Proficiency in construction estimating, quantity takeoff, and related software.
• Strong organizational, leadership, communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple estimates, deadlines, and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to project sites and attend client or bidder meetings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Building Construction, Engineering, Architecture, or a related discipline.
• Previous experience supervising or mentoring estimators.
• Experience supporting client development, proposal presentations, and preconstruction business development.
• Familiarity with estimating platforms such as STACK or comparable construction estimating and takeoff tools.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a hands-on senior estimator ready to take on assistant management responsibilities, or an experienced preconstruction professional currently leading estimating activities for a commercial general contractor. They should combine strong technical estimating capabilities with team leadership, client relationship management, subcontractor procurement, and business development skills.

Target candidates

Senior Estimators, Lead Estimators, Chief Estimators, Preconstruction Managers, and experienced Estimators with commercial general contracting backgrounds and demonstrated leadership potential.