Chief Estimator

The full job description covers all associated skills, previous experience, and any qualifications that applicants are expected to have.

About the Company

Just Construction is partnered with an established General Contractor in South Florida that is seeking an experienced Chief Estimator / Preconstruction Director to lead its estimating and preconstruction operations. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced General Contractor professional with a strong South Florida market background and a proven record of leading large estimating teams and preconstruction efforts on complex, high-value construction projects. The company will consider relocation for the right candidate; however, preference will be given to someone who has an established network and strong understanding of the South Florida construction market.

About the Role

• Chief Estimator / Preconstruction Director – South Florida
• Location: Miami
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Industry: Commercial Construction / General Contracting

This is an excellent opportunity for a Chief Estimator or Preconstruction Director looking to join an established South Florida General Contractor and have a meaningful impact on both project success and the long-term growth of the business.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the company's estimating and preconstruction department.
• Manage, mentor, and develop an estimating team of 8+ estimators.
• Assign estimating workloads, establish priorities, and ensure accurate and timely bid deliverables.
• Develop and implement estimating department processes, standards, and best practices.
• Lead preconstruction strategy from conceptual estimating through final bid and contract award.
• Review estimates for accuracy, completeness, risk, and overall competitiveness.
• Establish and manage bid strategies based on project requirements, market conditions, subcontractor availability, and company objectives.
• Develop and review detailed subcontractor scope sheets and ensure complete coverage of project scopes.
• Lead value engineering efforts and identify opportunities to improve project cost and constructability.
• Develop General Conditions and General Requirements estimates.
• Analyze labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and other project costs.
• Perform project risk assessments and identify potential estimating and execution risks.
• Participate in owner, architect, and contract negotiations.
• Work closely with Senior Management, Project Executives, and Project Managers to transition awarded projects successfully from preconstruction into operations.
• Assist with strategic planning and the continued growth and development of the estimating department.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, vendors, owners, architects, and other project stakeholders.
• Support the company's overall business development and strategic growth initiatives.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in the construction industry.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience as a Chief Estimator, Chief Estimator-level leader, or Preconstruction Director with a General Contractor.
• Experience must be with a General Contractor, not solely a subcontractor or Owner's Representative.

Required Skills

• Proven experience overseeing an estimating department of 8+ estimators.
• Minimum 10 years of experience developing detailed subcontractor scope sheets.
• Demonstrated experience with owner and contract negotiations.
• Proven experience assigning workloads and managing an estimating team.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and team-management capabilities.

Preferred Skills

Project Experience

• Candidates should have significant experience estimating and leading preconstruction efforts on complex, large-scale projects, including:

High-Rise / Multifamily

• Minimum of 4 high-rise condominium projects, ideally ranging from 30–60+ floors.
• Minimum of 4 high-rise projects valued between $90M and $240M.
• Experience with deep foundation systems required; DSM experience is a strong plus.
• Higher Education
• Experience estimating and/or leading preconstruction for higher education projects valued from $50M to $100M+.

K-12 Education

• Experience with K-12 educational projects within a similar $50M–$100M+ range.

Healthcare

• Healthcare estimating experience on projects ranging from approximately $4M to $70M+.

Delivery Methods

• Strong experience with multiple project delivery methods, including:
• CM at Risk
• Design-Build
• IPD experience is a strong plus

Technology

• Proficiency with modern estimating and construction technology, including:
• On-Screen Takeoff
• Bluebeam
• Procore
• Microsoft Office and related estimating/preconstruction systems

Core Skills

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong understanding of material, labor, equipment, subcontractor, and market pricing.
• Advanced knowledge of value engineering, risk assessment, bid strategy, General Conditions, and General Requirements.
• Strong understanding of subcontractor procurement and scope development.
• Ability to evaluate constructability, project risk, schedule considerations, and overall project execution strategy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership, owners, architects, Project Executives, and Project Managers.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of South Florida market conditions. xhyhwjd
• Spanish-speaking ability is a plus.