Lead Estimator - Commercial Construction

Job Description

A growing, relationship-driven commercial general contractor is seeking an experienced Lead Estimator to oversee estimating and preconstruction efforts for a diverse portfolio of commercial construction projects throughout the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region.

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This individual will be a senior member of the preconstruction team, responsible for evaluating opportunities, developing competitive budgets and proposals, leading bid efforts, strengthening trade-partner relationships, and helping drive profitable growth. The ideal candidate has deep familiarity with the regional commercial construction market and a proven ability to pursue, win, and successfully transition projects into operations.

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Responsibilities

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• Lead the preparation of accurate, competitive estimates, budgets, GMPs, proposals, and bid submissions for commercial construction projects.
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• Manage the full estimating process, from initial project pursuit and document review through final pricing, proposal submission, and turnover to operations.
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• Perform quantity takeoffs, scope development, cost analysis, subcontractor solicitation, bid leveling, proposal comparisons, and final estimate reviews.
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• Develop conceptual estimates and detailed budgets at all design stages, including preliminary, schematic, design-development, construction-document, negotiated, and hard-bid phases.
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• Review drawings, specifications, bid documents, contract requirements, alternates, allowances, and clarifications to identify scope gaps, exclusions, risks, and pricing considerations.
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• Evaluate potential project opportunities based on strategic fit, market conditions, staffing and operational capacity, risk profile, anticipated profitability, and probability of award.
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• Identify and help mitigate estimating, scope, contractual, scheduling, procurement, and financial risks during preconstruction.
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• Build and maintain productive relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, architects, engineers, owners, developers, consultants, and other industry partners.
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• Strengthen trade-partner participation and bid coverage while ensuring competitive pricing and complete scope alignment.
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• Monitor regional construction-market conditions, including subcontractor availability, labor trends, material pricing, competitive activity, and upcoming project opportunities.
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• Maintain and improve historical cost data, subcontractor and supplier databases, unit-pricing information, labor-productivity data, and post-bid lessons learned.
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• Collaborate closely with executive leadership, business development, operations, project management, and design-build teams to support strategic pursuits and growth initiatives.
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• Lead, coach, and mentor estimators and junior team members; provide technical direction, review work product, and share best practices.
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• Promote consistency, accountability, efficiency, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the estimating function.
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• Support a thorough handoff of awarded projects to project management and field operations teams.
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Qualifications

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• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field preferred; equivalent, relevant construction experience will be considered.
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• 8+ years of progressive commercial construction estimating and preconstruction experience, including leadership responsibility on complex projects.
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• Demonstrated experience estimating commercial construction work in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia market.
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• Strong, established relationships with regional subcontractors, suppliers, developers, owners, architects, engineers, and other commercial construction professionals preferred.
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• Proven knowledge of local construction practices, subcontractor capabilities, labor conditions, material costs, procurement challenges, and competitive market dynamics.
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• Experience with hard-bid, negotiated, GMP, design-build, and other collaborative commercial construction delivery methods.
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• Strong ability to read, interpret, and analyze construction drawings, specifications, scopes of work, bid instructions, contract documents, and project schedules.
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• Demonstrated ability to develop both detailed estimates and conceptual budgets using incomplete, evolving, or early-stage design documents.
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• Proficiency with construction estimating, bid-management, takeoff, spreadsheet, and project-management software.
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• Strong analytical, financial, organizational, negotiation, written, and verbal communication skills.
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• Ability to clearly present budgets, estimates, assumptions, recommendations, value-engineering options, and risk assessments to senior leadership, clients, and project teams.
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• Ability to manage multiple active pursuits and competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
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Professional Expectations

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• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, accountability, sound judgment, and exceptional attention to detail.
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• Maintain the confidentiality of company, client, subcontractor, and project information.
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• Build positive and productive relationships with internal teams, trade partners, vendors, clients, and other external stakeholders.
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• Take a proactive approach to risk identification, problem-solving, process improvement, and pursuit strategy.
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• Follow all company safety requirements, ethical standards, policies, and procedures.
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• Contribute to a culture focused on teamwork, quality, client service, and long-term business relationships.
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