Chief Estimator

Chief Estimator

Dallas Mechanical Group is seeking an experienced and results-driven Chief Estimator to lead and manage the estimating department. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing estimating operations, developing and implementing estimating best practices, improving departmental efficiency, and ensuring the accuracy and consistency of project estimates. The Chief Estimator will provide strategic direction for preconstruction efforts, mentor and develop estimating personnel, establish and enforce estimating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and evaluate and implement estimating technologies and software platforms when beneficial to the organization.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, mentor, and develop the estimating team.
• Establish departmental goals, performance metrics, and accountability standards.
• Recruit, train, and evaluate estimating personnel in coordination with company leadership and HR.
• Conduct workload planning and assign estimating resources based on bid volume, complexity, and deadlines.
• Oversee the preparation and review of conceptual, budgetary, negotiated, design-build, design-assist, and competitive bid estimates.
• Ensure estimates are complete, accurate, competitive, and aligned with company profitability objectives.
• Review labor productivity assumptions, material pricing, subcontractor coverage, scope inclusions and exclusions, risk factors, and project execution strategies.
• Develop and maintain consistent estimating standards, templates, proposal formats, bid review processes, and estimate validation procedures.
• Create, implement, and continuously improve estimating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Establish and maintain estimating databases, labor units, assemblies, historical cost data, and productivity benchmarks.
• Evaluate estimating software, digital takeoff tools, pricing databases, and other technologies that may improve departmental performance.
• Recommend, implement, and drive adoption of a new estimating platform if it is determined to be in the best interest of the company.
• Develop training plans and usage expectations for estimating software and related tools.
• Participate in project pursuit strategy, bid/no-bid discussions, and customer-facing preconstruction efforts.
• Support business development through client meetings, presentations, budgeting exercises, and preconstruction services.
• Develop and maintain relationships with owners, general contractors, engineers, architects, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Work closely with project management and operations teams to ensure a complete and clear handoff from estimating to operations.
• Participate in project turnover meetings and review scope, estimate basis, labor assumptions, exclusions, alternates, risk items, and subcontractor/vendor coverage.
• Compare completed project costs against estimates and incorporate lessons learned into future estimates.
• Review contract documents, specifications, drawings, addenda, and bid requirements for scope gaps, exclusions, risk items, and unusual requirements.
• Identify and communicate significant commercial, operational, technical, schedule, and manpower risks prior to bid submission.
• Ensure appropriate clarifications, inclusions, exclusions, assumptions, and contingencies are incorporated into estimates and proposals.
• Provide regular reporting on bid activity, backlog opportunities, hit rate, estimating workload, department performance, and other key metrics.
• Ensure estimating documents are properly organized, saved, and maintained in the company estimating folders or designated systems.
• Comply with all Company operating policies, procedures, and safety programs as established.
• Perform additional assignments as required by the needs of the company or as directed by executives.
• Attend job walks, team meetings, scope reviews, customer interviews, and site visits as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10+ years of mechanical construction estimating experience.
• Minimum 5+ years of leadership or management experience within an estimating or preconstruction department.
• Strong experience estimating commercial HVAC, piping, and plumbing projects.
• High School Diploma or equivalent is required; Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field is preferred.
• Must have strong knowledge of mechanical construction methods, drawings, specifications, labor productivity, pricing, and industry practices.
• Experience with conceptual estimating, hard bids, negotiated work, design-build, and design-assist projects.
• Experience implementing estimating software platforms or major estimating process improvements is preferred.
• Strong problem solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple pursuits simultaneously.
• Must be able to handle confidential information.
• Must be organized and able to prioritize tasks.
• Proficiency with estimating software, digital takeoff tools, and Microsoft Office applications.

Benefits

We offer our employees a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package and are always looking for individuals with the talent and skills required to contribute to our continued growth and success.

Equal Opportunity Employer

As a leading provider of mechanical and electrical construction, facilities services, and energy infrastructure, we offer employees a competitive salary and benefits package and we are always looking for individuals with the talent and skills required to contribute to our continued growth and success. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.

Affirmative Action Policy

Please review our Affirmative Action Policy.

Notice to Prospective Employees

Notice to prospective employees: There have been fraudulent postings and emails regarding job openings. EMCOR Group and its companies list open positions here. Please check our available positions to confirm that a post or email is genuine. EMCOR Group and its companies do not reach out to individuals to help with marketing or other similar services. If an individual is contacted for services outside of EMCOR's normal application process – it is probably fraudulent.