Estimating Manager

Construction Estimating Manager — Job Description

Position Summary

The Construction Estimating Manager is responsible for leading the estimating function for commercial, industrial, residential, or infrastructure construction projects. This role oversees the preparation of accurate and competitive cost estimates, manages estimating staff and subcontractor relationships, and collaborates closely with project management, operations, preconstruction, and business development teams to support successful project pursuits.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the estimating team, including workload allocation, mentoring, training, and performance management.
• Review construction drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and contract documents to identify project requirements and risks.
• Develop detailed conceptual, preliminary, and final estimates for construction projects.
• Prepare quantity takeoffs for labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, and other project costs.
• Solicit, evaluate, and negotiate subcontractor and supplier proposals.
• Analyze subcontractor bids and leveling to ensure scope completeness and competitive pricing.
• Develop detailed estimates, bid proposals, and value-engineering options.
• Establish and maintain cost databases, historical pricing, labor rates, and productivity information.
• Identify potential project risks, exclusions, assumptions, and opportunities during the estimating process.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, owners, subcontractors, and suppliers to clarify scope and resolve discrepancies.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, scope reviews, and project turnover meetings.
• Work closely with Project Managers and Operations teams to ensure estimates accurately reflect project execution requirements.
• Review and approve estimates prepared by estimators for accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
• Monitor market conditions, material pricing, labor availability, and subcontractor capacity.
• Support contract negotiations and project handoff following successful bids.
• Maintain estimating procedures, standards, templates, and best practices.
• Track bid results and perform post-bid analysis to improve future estimates.
• Ensure estimating activities comply with company policies, contractual requirements, and applicable industry standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, or a related field preferred.
• 7–10+ years of construction estimating experience, with demonstrated leadership or management experience.
• Strong knowledge of construction methods, materials, scheduling, labor productivity, and subcontractor pricing.
• Proven experience preparing estimates for projects of varying size and complexity.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, and contract documents.
• Strong understanding of project costs, margins, contingencies, and risk management.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple estimates and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong leadership and team-development capabilities.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience with estimating software such as Procore, Sage Estimating, Bluebeam, BuildingConnected, PlanSwift, or similar platforms.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with commercial, industrial, multifamily, healthcare, institutional, civil, or specialty construction, depending on the company’s market.
• Strong subcontractor and supplier network.
• Experience with conceptual estimating, design-build, negotiated work, hard bids, and GMP development.
• Familiarity with value engineering and alternative construction methods.

Key Competencies

• Leadership & team management
• Cost analysis and estimating
• Attention to detail
• Strategic thinking
• Negotiation
• Risk identification
• Communication
• Problem solving
• Time management
• Financial acumen
• Decision making

Typical Performance Metrics

• Estimate accuracy and profitability
• Bid win rate
• Gross margin performance
• Bid turnaround time
• Subcontractor coverage and participation
• Estimate variance from actual project costs
• Quality and completeness of bid submissions
• Team productivity and development

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and market conditions. Benefits may include health, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) or retirement contributions; paid time off; bonuses or performance incentives; professional development; and company-provided technology or vehicle allowances, as applicable.