Chief Estimator

The Chief Estimator is responsible for leading AMCON's estimating and preconstruction functions to ensure accurate, competitive, and strategic project pursuits that support the company's growth objectives. This role provides leadership and oversight for all estimating activities, establishes departmental standards and best practices, and partners closely with Operations, Business Development, and Executive Leadership to position projects for successful execution.

The Chief Estimator leads complex pursuits, develops project strategies, oversees staffing and workload management, and mentors estimating personnel to deliver high-quality preconstruction services. This position serves as a key advisor to project teams and executive leadership by identifying risks and opportunities, developing pricing strategies, maintaining strong industry relationships, and ensuring estimates align with project goals, client expectations, and market conditions.

The ideal candidate is a strategic leader, experienced construction professional, and effective communicator with the ability to manage multiple priorities, build high-performing teams, and drive continuous improvement throughout the estimating and preconstruction process.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all estimating and preconstruction activities across the organization.
• Establish estimating standards, procedures, tools, and best practices.
• Manage estimating department staffing, workload, resource allocation, and recruiting efforts.
• Lead the pursuit strategy for major and complex projects.
• Review and approve conceptual budgets, GMPs, negotiated proposals, and final estimates.
• Collaborate with Operations leadership to develop project execution strategies.
• Support business development efforts, client presentations, interviews, and proposal development.
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Oversee value engineering, constructability reviews, risk assessments, and logistics planning.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and professional development for Estimators and Senior Estimators.
• Monitor market trends, labor conditions, material pricing, and subcontractor capacity.
• Drive continuous improvement in estimating technology, systems, and processes.
• Participate in strategic planning and contribute to company growth initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 10+ years of commercial construction estimating experience.
• 5+ years of estimating leadership or management experience.
• Strong experience with negotiated work, conceptual estimating, budgeting, and preconstruction services.
• Proven ability to lead large and complex commercial construction pursuits.
• Strong understanding of construction means, methods, scheduling, procurement, and project delivery.
• Demonstrated success leading teams and developing estimating talent.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with estimating software, project management platforms, and construction technology tools.

Success Measures

• Accuracy and competitiveness of estimates and budgets.
• Achievement of company revenue, backlog, and pursuit goals.
• Successful management of estimating department workload and staffing.
• Development and retention of estimating personnel.
• Quality of project turnover to Operations.
• Client satisfaction and repeat business.
• Continuous improvement of estimating processes and technology.
• Contribution to company profitability and strategic growth.