Estimator / Pre-Construction Manager

Blair Freeman is a construction and owner’s representation firm built on community, transparency, accountability, and a deep commitment to helping projects move from vision to reality. We work with owners, developers, institutions, and community partners to bring construction projects to life with clarity, care, and strong execution. Our team is growing, and we are looking for someone who can help us strengthen our pre-construction and estimating process while bringing sharp thinking, strong communication, and a real love for the details. About the Role We are looking for an experienced Estimator / Pre-Construction Manager to lead and support lead generation, estimating, bid management, subcontractor outreach, scope development, and early project planning. This person will play a key role in helping Blair Freeman pursue new work, evaluate project costs, build accurate budgets, manage bid documents, and create clear scopes that help projects start strong. The right candidate is organized, detail-oriented, curious, and comfortable working with drawings, specifications, subcontractors, owners, and internal project teams. This is a great role for someone who enjoys both the numbers and the strategy behind construction. We need someone who can dig into the details, ask smart questions, spot gaps early, and help our team make confident decisions before a project ever breaks ground. Key Responsibilities Lead Generation and Job Search Determine new ways to identify early job opportunities Network and Business Development when useful Track opportunities Estimating & Budgeting Prepare detailed conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction estimates. Review drawings, specifications, addenda, and bid documents to understand project scope. Perform quantity takeoffs and develop cost estimates by trade, division, and project phase. Build and maintain cost models, historical pricing data, and estimating templates. Identify scope gaps, conflicts, assumptions, exclusions, and potential cost risks. Assist with value engineering and cost-saving recommendations. Support cost-per-square-foot analysis and budget comparisons across similar project types. Bid Management Develop bid packages and scopes of work for subcontractors and vendors. Solicit, track, and manage subcontractor bids. Review subcontractor proposals for completeness, accuracy, exclusions, and qualifications. Prepare bid tabs and support bid leveling. Communicate with subcontractors to clarify scope, pricing, schedule, and assumptions. Help ensure bid deadlines, submission requirements, and owner expectations are met. Pre-Construction Planning Support project teams during early planning, budgeting, and procurement. Review project schedules, logistics, phasing, and constructability concerns. Participate in pre-bid meetings, site walks, design meetings, and owner discussions. Coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, subcontractors, and internal team members. Help prepare presentations, reports, and recommendations for clients and partners. Track lessons learned and improve internal pre-construction processes. Process & Technology Help improve Blair Freeman’s estimating systems, templates, and workflows. Use construction technology and estimating software to improve speed, accuracy, and communication. Support the evaluation and use of tools for takeoffs, bid management, document review, and cost tracking. Bring ideas to the table on how we can work smarter without losing quality. Ideal Candidate You are someone who: Can read drawings and specs with confidence. Knows how to build an estimate from incomplete information. Understands construction sequencing, trades, materials, and subcontractor scopes. Is comfortable calling subcontractors, asking questions, and chasing down details. Can spot what is missing, unclear, or risky in a bid package. Communicates clearly and professionally with clients, subs, consultants, and teammates. Is organized enough to manage multiple deadlines without letting things fall through the cracks. Takes ownership of their work and follows through. Likes improving systems, not just working inside broken ones. Has a steady hand under pressure and a sense of humor when the bid deadline gets spicy. Qualifications 5+ years of experience in construction estimating, pre-construction, project management, or a related role. Experience with commercial, institutional, civic, multifamily, affordable housing, or public-sector projects preferred. Strong understanding of construction drawings, specifications, CSI divisions, and subcontractor scopes. Experience performing quantity takeoffs and preparing detailed estimates. Familiarity with estimating and construction software such as Buildertrend, Procore, BuildingConnected, Bluebeam, STACK, On-Screen Takeoff, Togal.AI, Microsoft Excel, or similar platforms. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to manage deadlines, prioritize tasks, and work independently. Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business, or related field preferred, but relevant experience matters most. Must be a self-starter Nice to Have Experience working with owners, developers, or owner’s representation teams. Experience with public bids, grant-funded projects, or compliance-driven projects. Experience creating conceptual budgets from early design documents. Familiarity with minority/women-owned business participation goals and community-focused projects. Interest in using AI and technology to improve estimating and pre-construction accuracy. What Success Looks Like In this role, success means our bids are more accurate, our scopes are clearer, our subcontractor coverage is stronger, and our project teams have better information earlier. You will help us reduce surprises, improve decision-making, and create a smoother path from idea to construction. Why Join Blair Freeman At Blair Freeman, we are building more than projects. We are building a company with purpose, standards, and momentum. You will join a team that values clear communication, accountability, curiosity, and thoughtful problem-solving. We care about doing great work, building strong relationships, and creating opportunities in an industry that needs more diverse leadership at the table. #J-18808-Ljbffr Blair Freeman