VP of Estimating

Job Description

Job Description

Step into a pivotal executive role where your estimating expertise will shape the profitability, competitiveness, and growth of a leading construction organisation. This is an opportunity to own the preconstruction and estimating function, influence major strategic decisions, and lead a high-performing team in delivering accurate, insight-driven estimates on complex projects.

About the Role:
As VP of Estimating, you will lead the full estimating and preconstruction lifecycle, ensuring bids are accurate, competitive, and aligned with the company’s strategic and financial goals. You will oversee the development of robust budgets, forecasting models, and processes that support disciplined decision-making. Working closely with executive leadership, operations, and business development, you will provide clear cost intelligence and risk insights that drive successful project selection and delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the estimating department, setting standards, processes, and best practices for all preconstruction and cost estimating activities.
• Oversee preparation of conceptual, schematic, and detailed estimates for a diverse portfolio of construction projects.
• Direct the development of project budgets and cost models, ensuring alignment with financial targets and risk parameters.
• Review and approve major bids, proposals, and GMPs, providing executive-level insight on pricing strategy and risk exposure.
• Collaborate with preconstruction, operations, and business development teams to support pursuit strategies and client presentations.
• Drive continuous improvement in estimating tools, templates, and workflows, leveraging advanced estimating software and data analytics.
• Lead, mentor, and develop estimating staff, including recruitment, training, performance management, and succession planning.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key vendors and subcontractors to support competitive pricing and reliable cost data.

Key Requirements:

• Extensive experience in construction estimating with a track record of leading estimating or preconstruction teams on complex projects.
• Proven expertise in developing and reviewing detailed estimates, budgets, and cost models across multiple project types.
• Demonstrated leadership in preconstruction planning, including bid strategy, risk assessment, and value analysis.
• Advanced proficiency with estimating software such as Sage, ProEst, WinEst or similar platforms.
• Strong strategic planning and forecasting capability, with experience aligning estimating outputs to broader business objectives.
• Solid background in vendor and subcontractor negotiation, including pricing, scope clarification, and contract alignment.
• Excellent executive-level communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex cost information to non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience operating at a senior or executive level within a construction or general contracting environment.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience with large-scale commercial, industrial, or institutional projects in the Dallas or broader Texas market.
• Familiarity with design-build, CM-at-risk, and other alternative delivery methods.
• Exposure to cost benchmarking, historical cost databases, and data-driven estimating practices.
• Knowledge of project controls, scheduling, and integration of estimating with project management systems.
• Prior involvement in enterprise-level technology or process implementations within estimating or preconstruction.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or a related field.
• Advanced degree (MBA or relevant master’s) preferred for candidates with broader strategic or financial responsibilities.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Professional Estimator (CPE), AACE International credentials, or equivalent are advantageous.
• Demonstrated record of continuing professional development in estimating, preconstruction, or construction management.

If you are a strategic, hands-on estimating leader ready to drive a high-impact function at executive level, we invite you to apply and explore this opportunity further.