Chief Estimator

Job Description
The Chief Estimator is a leadership role responsible for overseeing all estimating and preconstruction activities for complex institutional and healthcare construction projects. This position leads conceptual budgeting, GMP development, subcontractor procurement strategy, and preconstruction coordination to deliver accurate, strategic, and competitive cost solutions. The Chief Estimator collaborates closely with executive leadership, project management, field operations, architects, engineers, and subcontractors to ensure pricing accuracy, alignment of scope across trades, and successful project turnover. This role is ideal for a technically strong, relationship-driven leader who can balance detailed estimating work with mentoring teams and supporting collaborative project delivery.
Responsibilities

• Lead all estimating and preconstruction activities for complex institutional and healthcare construction projects, including conceptual budgeting and detailed cost estimates.
• Develop and manage Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) estimates, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and alignment with project scope and client expectations.
• Oversee and mentor estimating teams, providing guidance, technical support, and leadership across multiple concurrent bids and pursuits.
• Plan and manage bid processes from start to finish, including bid invitations, scope reviews, leveling, and final proposal preparation.
• Develop and execute subcontractor procurement strategies, including bid packaging, scope definition, and competitive pricing analysis.
• Review and analyze construction documents, drawings, and specifications to identify scope, quantify work, and assess constructability and risk.
• Perform conceptual and schematic-level estimating for early project planning, providing cost guidance and options to support decision-making.
• Lead value engineering efforts by identifying cost-saving opportunities, alternative materials, and construction methods while maintaining design intent and quality.
• Evaluate project risks, including phasing, occupied conditions, logistics, and schedule impacts, and incorporate risk considerations into estimates.
• Coordinate closely with project management and field operations teams to ensure seamless transition from preconstruction to construction and accurate project turnover.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and consultants to clarify design intent, resolve discrepancies, and align cost assumptions with design development.
• Support scheduling and critical path planning by aligning estimates with construction sequencing, logistics, and phasing requirements.
• Utilize estimating software, Bluebeam, and other digital tools to perform takeoffs, organize estimates, and prepare professional deliverables.
• Implement and oversee ICRA and ILSM protocols in estimating and planning for healthcare projects in occupied environments.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors and vendors, fostering competitive pricing, reliable participation, and long-term partnerships.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, and walkthroughs to validate site conditions, understand project logistics, and refine cost assumptions.
• Support procurement planning and long-lead item strategies by identifying critical materials and equipment and incorporating timelines into estimates.
• Contribute to a collaborative, relationship-driven culture by working closely with leadership, peers, and stakeholders to support workload balance and team success.

Essential Skills

• 10+ years of estimating or preconstruction experience in the construction industry.
• Strong institutional construction experience, with healthcare projects highly preferred.
• Proven experience leading estimating teams and managing multiple concurrent bids.
• Expertise in conceptual estimating, GMP development, and detailed cost analysis.
• Strong understanding of construction sequencing, subcontractor coordination, and document review.
• Experience with healthcare construction projects, including AHCA-regulated work, strongly preferred.
• Experience with occupied renovations and phased construction in active facilities.
• Knowledge and application of ICRA and ILSM protocols in healthcare environments.
• Demonstrated value engineering and constructability review capabilities.
• Proficiency with Bluebeam and modern estimating software tools.
• Experience with subcontractor procurement and bid management.
• Ability to support scheduling and critical path planning from a preconstruction perspective.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to build and maintain subcontractor and vendor relationships.
• Experience with procurement planning and long-lead item strategy.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Healthcare construction experience, including work in occupied healthcare facilities, is preferred.
• AHCA project experience is strongly preferred and considered a significant advantage.
• Experience managing phased construction and complex logistics in occupied environments.
• Proven ability to collaborate with executive leadership, project management, and field operations teams.
• Track record of working within a relationship-driven, not volume-driven, culture.
• Ability to mentor and develop estimating team members in a supportive and collaborative manner.
• Comfort presenting and interacting with ownership and executive leadership in a high-visibility role.

Work Environment
This role is primarily onsite in South Florida and is largely office-based with frequent collaboration across estimating, operations, and leadership teams. The Chief Estimator regularly participates in site visits, pre-bid meetings, and project walkthroughs to validate conditions and support accurate estimating. The work environment is fast-paced yet team-oriented, with a leadership group that understands estimating firsthand and actively supports workload balance to avoid burnout. Projects are focused on occupied healthcare facilities and institutional construction, requiring careful planning, coordination, and adherence to healthcare-specific protocols. The culture emphasizes collaboration, long-term client relationships, and meaningful work on healthcare projects that directly impact local communities, while providing strong leadership support during peak workload periods.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $108.00 - $108.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Fort Lauderdale,FL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 3, 2026.
About Actalent


Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.


The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.


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