Senior Estimator/Preconstruction Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Estimator / Preconstruction Manager

Florida Palm Construction | South Florida

Florida Palm Construction is a growing South Florida General Contractor and Construction Management firm specializing in commercial construction, tenant improvements, institutional projects, and select high-end residential work.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Estimator / Preconstruction Manager to lead our Preconstruction and Estimating Department.

This is not simply an estimating position. We are looking for someone who can own the preconstruction process - from the moment an opportunity enters our pipeline through estimating, proposal, award, and a successful handoff to our Operations team.

The right person is an experienced construction professional who enjoys estimating but also wants to lead: improving systems, developing subcontractor relationships, managing priorities, identifying risk, mentoring others, and helping determine which projects Florida Palm pursues.

What You'll Own

Lead the Estimating Pipeline

Manage approximately 8–10 active estimates at a time, establishing priorities, assigning workload, and ensuring deadlines are consistently met.

Own each opportunity from initial review through bid submission and award, including:

• Initial project and opportunity review
• Conceptual and preliminary budgeting
• Detailed estimating
• Scope and bid package development
• Subcontractor solicitation and coverage
• Bid leveling and scope review
• Value engineering
• Proposal preparation
• Client presentations and negotiations
• Preconstruction-to-Operations handoff

Manage clear internal milestones for every estimate so that projects are reviewed thoughtfully rather than rushed at the finish line.

Build Accurate, Competitive Estimates

Review drawings, specifications, addenda, contracts, and other bid documents to understand project requirements and identify risks, missing information, and potential scope gaps.

Develop and review:

• Conceptual and detailed estimates
• Scopes of work and bid packages
• Allowances and alternates
• Exclusions and clarifications
• Client proposals
• RFIs and design clarifications

Evaluate constructability, logistics, phasing, scheduling, long-lead items, permitting, bonding, insurance, and other project-specific requirements.

Lead Our Subcontractor Strategy

Develop strong relationships with subcontractors and vendors while continuously expanding Florida Palm's subcontractor network.

Manage subcontractor solicitation and bid coverage across required trades. Review and level proposals, identify scope gaps and overlaps, negotiate pricing, and determine the appropriate numbers and qualifications to carry in the estimate.

Work collaboratively with subcontractors, architects, engineers, and clients to identify value-engineering opportunities and practical solutions.

Connect Sales, Preconstruction & Operations

Partner closely with our Sales and Business Development team to evaluate incoming opportunities, determine project fit, and prioritize the company's estimating resources.

Participate in our weekly Sales/Estimating meeting and provide leadership with clear visibility into:

• New opportunities
• Active estimates and upcoming deadlines
• Bid coverage
• Proposal status and follow-up
• Potential awards
• Pipeline value
• Estimating performance and hit rates
• Department workload and staffing needs
• Project and preconstruction risks
  

For awarded projects, lead a comprehensive handoff to the Project Manager and Superintendent so Operations clearly understands the estimate, subcontractor proposals, assumptions, allowances, exclusions, schedule, procurement priorities, and known risks before construction begins.

Help Us Build a Better Preconstruction Department

We want someone who doesn't just work within a system; we want someone who helps us continuously improve it.

You will help refine our estimating procedures, templates, historical cost data, subcontractor database, bid tracking, departmental KPIs, and SOPs.

We are also actively integrating AI automations to  improve estimating accuracy, productivity, follow-up, reporting, and scalability. We want this person to manage this effort.

Who We're Looking For

Our ideal candidate has significant estimating and preconstruction experience with a General Contractor and is comfortable operating at both the leadership level and in the details .

You should be able to lead a department while still personally taking ownership of complex estimates when needed.

You will likely be successful in this role if you are:

• Highly proficient in reading plans and specifications
• Strong in conceptual and detailed estimating
• Experienced with commercial construction and subcontractor buyout
• Comfortable negotiating and building subcontractor relationships
• Skilled at identifying scope gaps, constructability issues, and project risks
• Organized and capable of managing multiple deadlines simultaneously
• Confident communicating with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and internal teams
• Comfortable using data and KPIs to manage performance
• Interested in improving processes rather than simply following them
• A strong leader who holds yourself and others accountable
• Calm under pressure and proactive when problems arise
  

Commercial General Contractor experience is strongly preferred. Experience with tenant improvements, institutional work, ground-up construction, and/or high-end residential projects is a plus.

Why Florida Palm Construction?

Florida Palm Construction has built its reputation by protecting our clients' investments through proactive communication, accountability, careful planning, and strong execution.

We are large enough to take on meaningful and complex projects, but small enough that great people have a direct impact on how the company operates and grows.

For the right person, this is an opportunity to do more than produce estimates. You will have a seat at the table, influence which projects we pursue, help shape our systems and team, and play an important role in the next stage of Florida Palm Construction's growth.

Benefits: 

• Competitive Bonus Structure
• PTO and Company Holidays
• 401k Matching
• Health Insurance, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance 
  
• Opportunities for growth