Vice President - Pre-Construction

STRM Recruiting; Brea (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 420,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Job summary

The Vice President of Estimating leads the estimating and preconstruction functions for a confidential electrical contracting organization in the United States. This executive role shapes strategy, drives accurate, competitive project estimates, and aligns forecasting with market opportunities.

Reporting to the CEO and partnering with operations, business development, and finance, you will build teams, implement data‑driven processes, and elevate estimating standards across the portfolio to

Qualifications

• 12–15+ years of progressive experience in electrical construction estimating or preconstruction.
• 5+ years of senior or executive leadership experience.
• Proven track record leading estimating organizations within the electrical construction industry.
• Bachelor's degree; advanced degree or equivalent experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the organization's estimating strategy to support growth, profitability, and market expansion.
• Lead bid strategy, go/no-go decisions, and pursuit prioritization across opportunities.
• Partner with executive leadership on forecasting, backlog planning, and revenue projections.
• Oversee the development of all estimates, budgets, and proposals for accuracy and competitiveness.
• Set estimating standards and methodologies across the organization.
• Lead final estimate reviews in line with risk and profitability objectives.
• Drive analytics from historical data to improve estimating accuracy and decision making.
• Collaborate with operations to ensure smooth transitions from estimating to execution.
• Build and mentor high-performing estimating leaders and teams.
• Develop relationships with clients and partners to support growth and strategic pursuits.

Skills

Electrical estimating

Labor productivity

Material pricing

Cost drivers

Estimating software: Accubid

Estimating software: Bluebeam

Estimating software: Procore

Financial acumen

Contract structures

Leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related

Master's degree

Equivalent field or trade experience

Tools

Accubid

Bluebeam

Procore

Job description

Vice President of Estimating

Confidential Executive Opportunity

Our client is a well-established, employee-owned electrical contracting organization with a strong reputation for delivering complex commercial and industrial projects. The company is committed to long-term growth, operational excellence, and investing in its people through a collaborative, high-performance culture. This executive leadership role offers the opportunity to shape the future of estimating and preconstruction while contributing to the continued success of an organization where employees have a meaningful stake in the company's growth.

Position Summary

The Vice President of Estimating provides strategic leadership for the estimating and preconstruction functions across the organization. This executive role is responsible for developing estimating strategy, optimizing project selection, and ensuring the delivery of accurate, competitive, and profitable project estimates.

Working closely with executive leadership, operations, and business development, the VP of Estimating aligns estimating efforts with market opportunities, client needs, and organizational objectives. The successful candidate will also lead the evolution of estimating systems, processes, and teams to create scalable, data-driven preconstruction practices.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and execute the organization's estimating strategy to support long-term growth, profitability, and market expansion.
• Lead bid strategy, go/no-go decisions, and pursuit prioritization across all opportunities.
• Partner with executive leadership on forecasting, backlog planning, and revenue projections.
• Evaluate market trends, labor availability, and material pricing to inform strategic decisions.
• Provide executive leadership on major pursuits, high-value proposals, and strategic client opportunities.

Estimating Leadership

• Oversee the development of all estimates, budgets, and proposals to ensure accuracy, consistency, and competitiveness.
• Establish estimating standards, methodologies, and best practices across the organization.
• Lead final estimate reviews and approvals while maintaining alignment with risk tolerance and profitability objectives.
• Leverage historical project data, benchmarking, and performance analytics to continuously improve estimating accuracy.

Operational & Financial Excellence

• Partner with operations teams to ensure successful project transitions from estimating through execution.
• Analyze estimated versus actual project performance to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Drive initiatives focused on estimate accuracy, labor productivity, and margin enhancement.
• Standardize pricing methodologies, cost structures, and financial discipline across all estimates.

Leadership & Team Development

• Build, mentor, and develop high-performing estimating leaders and teams.
• Establish organizational structure, staffing strategies, and succession planning initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and performance-driven culture.
• Support employee development through coaching, training, and professional growth opportunities.

Client & Business Development

• Develop and maintain executive-level relationships with clients, general contractors, and strategic partners.
• Support business development efforts through client presentations, negotiations, and strategic pursuits.
• Identify new market opportunities, delivery methods, and industry sectors that support organizational growth.
• Strengthen the company's competitive position through market intelligence and relationship management.

Process Improvement & Innovation

• Lead the implementation and advancement of estimating technology, systems, and analytics.
• Drive continuous improvement of estimating workflows, automation, and standard operating procedures.
• Ensure the integrity of estimating databases, historical cost information, and pricing resources.
• Promote innovation within preconstruction to improve efficiency, scalability, and decision-making.

Qualifications

Experience

• 12-15+ years of progressive experience in electrical construction estimating or preconstruction.
• 5+ years of senior or executive leadership experience.
• Proven track record leading estimating organizations within the electrical construction industry.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline preferred.
• Master's degree is a plus.
• Equivalent field or trade experience will also be considered.

Technical Expertise

• Extensive knowledge of electrical estimating, labor productivity, material pricing, and project cost drivers.
• Experience with estimating software such as Accubid, Bluebeam, Procore, or comparable platforms.
• Strong financial acumen, including forecasting, cost analysis, margin management, and budgeting.
• Comprehensive understanding of construction delivery methods, procurement strategies, and contract structures.

Desired Leadership Competencies

• Strategic business mindset with strong financial and operational insight.
• Proven ability to lead organizational growth and develop high-performing teams.
• Exceptional communication, executive presence, and negotiation skills.
• Strong analytical thinking and sound decision-making abilities.
• Ability to influence stakeholders across all levels of an organization.
• Results-oriented leader who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to join a respected employee-owned organization where leadership has a direct impact on the company's future success. Employees benefit from a culture built around collaboration, accountability, innovation, and long-term growth. In addition to a highly competitive compensation package, eligible employees participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), providing the opportunity to build long-term wealth while sharing in the company's success.