Project Manager / Estimator - Experienced Hire - Abatement Services

The future at Luse is bright, and we're looking for ambitious, talented professionals to help build it. Join a fifth-generation family business where your contributions matter, your relationships are valued, and you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Let's build our future together.

Luse Contracting Group () is a multifaceted construction services provider headquartered in Aurora, Illinois. Founded by D. Claude Luse in 1923, we are a fifth-generation family business with more than 100 years of experience and a deeply rooted, values-driven culture.

Through Luse Environmental Services , we've been a leader in asbestos abatement and environmental contracting since the early 1980s. We've built our reputation on delivering quality work, honoring our commitments, and developing lasting relationships with our customers, employees, and industry partners.

At Luse, we believe our greatest competitive advantage is our people. Our four cultural cornerstones— Family, Trust, Humility, and Generosity —guide how we work together and serve our customers. Our vision is to grow our business so that we can have an increasingly positive impact on people and the planet.

We bring a philosophy of continuous improvement to everything we do, constantly seeking better ways to serve our customers, support our employees, and strengthen our business. From asbestos, lead, and mold abatement to selective demolition and other environmental services, our teams take pride in their ability to deliver safe, reliable solutions across a wide range of industries and project environments.

Growing our environmental services business is a key component of Luse's long-term vision, and we're looking for an experienced Project Manager / Estimator to help lead that growth.

In this role, you'll take ownership of environmental projects throughout the Chicagoland market, from identifying opportunities and developing estimates to contract execution, financial management, and successful closeout.

You'll be entrusted with managing an established and growing portfolio of business, with an anticipated annual project volume of $2–4 million once fully established.

We're looking for someone who combines technical expertise with commercial judgment, financial discipline, an unwavering commitment to safety and regulatory compliance, and strong relationship-building skills. You'll be a trusted resource for our customers, an effective collaborator with our field teams, and a key contributor to the continued success of Luse Environmental Services.

Above all, you'll take pride in making Luse the "easy button" for our customers —someone they can count on to deliver solutions, communicate proactively, and follow through on commitments.

Estimating & Business Development

• Identify, estimate, and secure profitable asbestos, lead, mold, demolition, and other environmental projects, developing competitive proposals through site assessments, quantity takeoffs, labor analysis, and careful evaluation of scope and risk.

• Build and maintain relationships with general contractors, facility owners, environmental consultants, and industry partners to generate new opportunities and repeat business.

• Manage an active pipeline of opportunities, negotiate project scope and pricing, and contribute to sales and backlog forecasting.

Project Management & Execution

• Take ownership of projects from initial estimate through final closeout, ensuring safe, compliant execution while delivering on schedule, quality, and profitability commitments.

• Collaborate with field leadership to plan manpower, schedules, containment requirements, equipment, disposal logistics, and project execution, maintaining an active jobsite presence.

• Proactively resolve project challenges, manage changes in scope, and ensure timely documentation, communication, and change order recovery.

Financial Management & Risk Control

• Own project financial performance, maintaining accurate budgets, cost-to-complete forecasts, profitability projections, and timely billing.

• Monitor labor productivity and project costs, identify variances and risks early, and take corrective action to protect project outcomes.

• Ensure compliance with applicable environmental, health, and safety regulations, contractual requirements, and company procedures, maintaining accurate project records and documentation.

Teamwork & Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate across Luse's field and office teams, embrace technology and continuous improvement, and contribute to a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and exceptional customer service.

• Minimum 7 years of experience in asbestos abatement, environmental contracting, selective demolition, or a closely related discipline.

• Demonstrated success estimating and managing a substantial annual portfolio of projects.

• Strong technical knowledge of abatement methods, containment procedures, labor productivity, waste handling, and applicable environmental and safety regulations.

• Proven financial acumen, including project budgeting, cost forecasting, and contract administration.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel; experience with computerized estimating, field takeoffs, and blueprint reading preferred.

• Excellent communication, relationship-building, negotiation, and organizational skills.

• Self-motivated, accountable, and solutions-oriented, with sound judgment and a commitment to teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.

• OSHA 30 training and asbestos or lead licenses/certifications preferred.

• Associate's degree or higher preferred; equivalent industry experience considered.

Success at Luse goes beyond winning bids and completing projects. You'll thrive here if you take ownership of your results, put safety and integrity first, build lasting relationships, and continuously seek better ways of doing business. Above all, we seek self-aware, team-oriented individuals who share our commitment to personal and professional growth and embody our cultural cornerstones: Family, Trust, Humility, and Generosity.

This is a salaried position with an expected base salary range of $70,000–$100,000 , depending on qualifications and experience, plus an established performance-based bonus plan.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Mileage reimbursement

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) participation and generous match

• Life insurance

• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick pay

• Opportunities for professional development and career growth

Relocation assistance may be considered for qualified candidates outside the Chicagoland area.

Join a company that's been trusted for generations—and help us build the next one.

Luse Contracting Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.