Senior/Lead Estimator

CSI Construction Company; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Bonus opportunities

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

CSI Construction is seeking a Lead / Senior Estimator to own the estimating process, lead bids, and guide project profitability. You will independently manage an entire bid cycle, collaborate with subcontractors, and shape strategic growth across multiple markets.

The role requires strong leadership, deep construction knowledge, and the ability to present recommendations to executive leadership. You will drive value and quality on diverse projects.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive construction estimating experience with leadership of complex bids.
• Ability to independently manage estimates from initial review through final bid.
• Strong understanding of means, methods, sequencing, labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor pricing.
• Extensive experience reading plans, specifications, and contract documents.
• Strong quantity takeoff and cost-estimating skills.
• Experience with subcontractor/vendor solicitation, bid leveling, scope analysis, and negotiations.
• Ability to identify project risks, scope gaps, and cost exposures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proven track record of producing accurate, competitive, and profitable estimates.

Responsibilities

• Lead estimates for projects from conceptual design through final construction documents.
• Review plans, specifications, drawings, scopes, addenda, and project documentation.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and develop labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and general conditions estimates.
• Develop complete and competitive project budgets and bid proposals.
• Analyze project documents to identify scope gaps, discrepancies, conflicts, exclusions, and risks.
• Develop bid strategies based on requirements, market conditions, and company objectives.
• Solicit, evaluate, level, and negotiate subcontractor and vendor proposals.
• Maintain relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and industry partners.
• Evaluate alternative construction methods and value-engineering opportunities.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, scope reviews, and client meetings.
• Coordinate estimating activities and ensure bids are completed on schedule.
• Prepare clear bid documentation for management review and approval.

Skills

Leadership

Bid management

Analytical thinking

Negotiation

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or related field

Tools

Excel

Sage/Timberline

Procore

Bluebeam

PlanSwift

On-Screen Takeoff

BuildingConnected

Job description

diversifying the company's project portfolio and expanding into new opportunities.

Lead / Senior Construction Estimator

Company: CSI Construction

Compensation: $120,000–$160,000 base salary + company bonus program and benefits

Employment Type: Full-Time

Department: Preconstruction / Estimating

Reports To: Regional Vice President

Position Summary

CSI Construction is seeking an experienced and self-sufficient Lead / Senior Estimator to join our growing construction team. This position will take a leadership role in developing competitive, accurate, and profitable estimates for a variety of construction projects from initial opportunity through final bid and project handoff. The ideal candidate is an experienced construction estimator who can independently lead the estimating process, develop effective bid strategies, identify project risks, and collaborate with subcontractors, vendors, project management, operations, business development, and executive leadership.

Why Join CSI Construction?

This is an opportunity to have a meaningful impact on CSI Construction's continued growth. The Lead / Senior Estimator will have the autonomy and responsibility to influence which projects we pursue, how we price them, and how we expand into new construction markets. This is a senior-level opportunity for an estimator who can operate independently, take ownership of complex bids, and serve as a technical and strategic resource to the organization.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is more than someone who can put together an estimate. We are looking for someone who can own the estimating process, lead bids, make sound business decisions, and contribute to company growth. You should be comfortable walking into a project, understanding the scope, developing the estimate, challenging assumptions, identifying risks, working with subcontractors, and presenting your recommendations to leadership. You should also be interested in helping CSI Construction grow beyond its current market focus. Experience in multiple construction sectors is highly valued, as this position will play an important role in diversifying the company's project portfolio and expanding into new opportunities.

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead estimates for projects ranging from conceptual and schematic design through final construction documents.
• Review plans, specifications, drawings, scopes of work, addenda, and other project documentation.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and develop accurate labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and general condition estimates.
• Develop complete and competitive project budgets and bid proposals.
• Analyze project documents to identify scope gaps, discrepancies, conflicts, exclusions, and potential risks.
• Develop comprehensive bid strategies based on project requirements, market conditions, competition, schedule, and company objectives.
• Solicit, evaluate, level, and negotiate subcontractor and vendor proposals.
• Maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and industry partners.
• Evaluate alternative construction methods and identify value-engineering opportunities.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, scope reviews, and client/owner meetings as needed.
• Coordinate estimating activities and ensure bids are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Prepare clear and comprehensive bid documentation for management review and approval.

Business Growth & Market Diversification

• Partner with Business Development and executive leadership to evaluate new project opportunities.
• Help identify and pursue construction opportunities inside and outside of CSI Construction's traditional multifamily market.
• Bring knowledge of additional construction sectors, clients, subcontractors, and market opportunities.
• Develop estimating strategies that support entry into new markets and project types.
• Research construction costs, labor availability, subcontractor capacity, and market conditions in emerging markets.
• Provide estimating expertise during early-stage opportunity evaluation and go/no-go decisions.
• Help establish estimating processes and relationships that support sustainable company growth.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as a senior technical resource within the estimating/preconstruction function.
• Lead complex bids with a high degree of independence and accountability.
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior and intermediate estimators as needed.
• Collaborate with Project Management, Operations, Business Development, Finance, Safety, and executive leadership.
• Establish and maintain consistent estimating practices, standards, templates, and procedures.
• Participate in project turnover meetings to ensure a thorough transition from estimating to operations.
• Communicate project assumptions, risks, opportunities, and estimating decisions clearly to leadership.
• Support continuous improvement of CSI Construction's preconstruction and estimating processes.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive construction estimating experience, preferably with significant experience leading complex bids.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage estimates from initial review through final bid.
• Strong understanding of construction means, methods, sequencing, labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor pricing.
• Extensive experience reading and interpreting construction plans, specifications, and contract documents.
• Strong quantity takeoff and cost-estimating skills.
• Experience with subcontractor/vendor solicitation, bid leveling, scope analysis, and negotiations.
• Ability to identify project risks, scope gaps, and cost exposures.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating with project teams and executive leadership.
• Proven track record of producing accurate, competitive, and profitable estimates.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• Experience estimating multiple construction types beyond multifamily.
• Experience with commercial, industrial, hospitality, healthcare, retail, mixed-use, infrastructure, or other complex construction projects.
• Experience with value engineering and preconstruction services.
• Previous experience mentoring or leading other estimators.
• Strong subcontractor and vendor relationships across multiple geographic markets.
• Experience helping a construction company enter new markets or expand its project portfolio.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and construction estimating/takeoff software.
• Experience with platforms such as Sage/Timberline, Procore, Bluebeam, PlanSwift, On-Screen Takeoff, BuildingConnected, or similar systems.

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary: $120,000–$160,000 annually

In addition to base compensation, this position is eligible for CSI Construction's standard bonus program and comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Unlimited PTO
• Performance-based bonus opportunities
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan/401(k)
• Paid holidays
• Company-sponsored benefits
• Professional development opportunities

Equal Employment Opportunity

CSI Construction is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to legally protected characteristics under applicable federal, state, or local law.