Position Title: Estimating Director (Director of Preconstruction)
The Estimating Director is responsible for leading the company’s preconstruction and estimating
function, ensuring accurate, competitive, and profitable bids across all projects. Reporting to the
Vice President of Construction, this role oversees estimating strategy, team performance, and bid execution while serving as the primary technical expert in General Contractor (GC) interactions
during the bidding process.
This individual is accountable for delivering high-quality bids on time, managing RFP processes and revisions, and driving opportunities to award through technical expertise and scope alignment. This role partners closely with Business Development but does not own client relationships or pipeline generation.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead Estimating Function & Team Performance
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the estimating department
• Manage, mentor, and develop estimators at all levels
• Establish clear expectations, accountability, and performance standards
• Drive team efficiency, throughput, and consistency
Own Bid Strategy & Pricing Accuracy
• Lead pricing strategy on all major bids and pursuits
• Ensure estimates are accurate, complete, and aligned with company margin targets
• Review and approve final bids prior to submission
• Identify risks, gaps, and opportunities within each estimate
Lead Technical Close & GC Bid Interaction
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact with GCs during the bidding phase
• Lead post-bid interviews, scope reviews, RFP responses, and bid revisions
• Clearly communicate scope, assumptions, and value engineering options
• Defend pricing and navigate technical negotiations while protecting margin
• Drive opportunities to award through scope alignment and responsiveness
Build & Enforce SOPs, KPIs, and Accountability Rhythm
• Develop, implement, and continuously refine standardized estimating SOPs across all workflows
• Establish clear, measurable KPIs for the estimating team (bid volume, hit rate, margin accuracy, turnaround time)
• Create and manage daily, weekly, and monthly scorecards to track performance
• Lead regular team meetings (daily huddles, weekly reviews, monthly performance) to drive accountability
• Hold team members accountable to individual production targets and quality standards
• Identify performance gaps and implement corrective actions quickly
Drive Preconstruction Process & Standardization
• Ensure consistency in takeoffs, bid leveling, and proposal delivery
• Improve systems and tools to increase speed, accuracy, and scalability
• Maintain organized and up-to-date bid documentation
• Continuously evaluate and improve estimating workflows
Manage Bid Pipeline & Pursuit Execution
• Oversee bid calendar, workload planning, and resource allocation
• Execute against incoming opportunities generated by Business Development
• Establish bid/no-bid criteria in alignment with leadership
• Ensure all bids are delivered accurately and on time
• Maintain high responsiveness on addenda, RFIs, and revisions
Strengthen Vendor & Subcontractor Relationships
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key vendors and subcontractors
• Ensure competitive and reliable pricing coverage on all bids
• Support subcontractor outreach, qualification, and bid leveling
Partner with Business Development to Win Work
• Collaborate with Business Development on priority pursuits and key accounts
• Support project-specific strategy to improve win probability
• Provide technical expertise during late-stage negotiations and award decisions
• Ensure seamless alignment between client expectations and final bid scope
Requirements & Preferred Qualifications
• 5-10+ years of experience in construction estimating or preconstruction preferred
• Proven leadership experience managing estimating teams
• Strong background in commercial construction. Backround in sitework, or landscaping preferred.
• Demonstrated success working with General Contractors on competitive bids
• Experience building SOPs, KPIs, and performance management systems
• Strong communication and negotiation skills in GC-facing environments
• Ability to manage high bid volume with speed and accuracy
• High attention to detail with a strong focus on margin and risk management
Here are some frequently asked questions
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How does pricing work?
We typically work on a contingency basis, with flexible structures depending on the role and partnership. Our goal is alignment—not rigid terms—so we can build long-term relationships with our clients.
What types of roles do you actually focus on?
We support a range of roles across professional services, legal, finance, and high-growth companies—from individual contributors to leadership hires. Our focus is always on impact, not just title.
What makes you different?
We’re intentionally selective. We prioritize long-term relationships over volume, take a highly personalized approach to every search, and represent both clients and candidates with transparency and care.
How quickly can we expect to see candidates?
We typically present initial candidates within 1–2 weeks. That said, we don’t keep a long list or “rolodex” of candidates we try to fit into your role. Instead, we take the time to understand exactly what you’re looking for and go find the right people specifically for your team—because the right fit matters more than the fastest hire.
What does it actually look like to work together?
We start with a deep intake to understand your business, team, and goals. From there, we handle sourcing, screening, and candidate communication—acting as an extension of your team throughout the process.
What happens if the hire doesn’t work out?
Our placements are backed by a replacement guarantee. More importantly, our process is designed to ensure strong alignment from the start, minimizing risk on both sides.
Are you selective with who you work with?
Yes—and intentionally so. We partner best with companies that value relationships, move with intention, and are serious about hiring the right people—not just filling seats.
Can you help if we’re still figuring out the role?
Absolutely. Many of our clients come to us in the early stages. We can help shape the role, define the profile, and ensure you’re targeting the right talent from the beginning.
Why do clients continue working with you long-term?
Because we treat every search like it matters—because it does. We care about the people, the team, and the long-term outcome, not just the placement.