Senior Estimator
Reports to: CEO
Direct Reports: Estimators and Field Estimators
Summary:
Senior Estimator leads all preconstruction and estimating activities, producing accurate scopes, market‑competitive pricing, and clear proposals that set projects up for profitable execution. Owns qualification of all construction opportunities—from lead intake and client engagement through proposal, negotiation, award, and turnover. Partners with Operations and Business Development while building client/GC relationships and selling work; standardizes estimating processes; develops the team; and stewards the company’s electrical cost data and estimating tools.
Responsibilities:
Estimating Leadership & Bid Governance
- Consistent, accurate, and competitive estimates delivered on time, aligned with margin and risk targets
- Review and approve estimates and proposals prior to submission; ensure complete scope, inclusions/exclusions, alternates, and clarifications
- Own the master bid calendar, lead weekly estimating huddles, and assign pursuits based on project type, size, and workload; facilitate go/no‑go meetings and set pricing strategy per target margins
- Enforce standardized takeoff conventions, assemblies, and summary sheets; ensure rigorous internal QC across all estimates
- Maintain a disciplined pre‑bid RFI process; validate productivity factors, equipment, logistics, and prefabrication opportunities
- Present risk and margin recommendations to leadership and align pricing strategy to market conditions
Preconstruction Strategy & Scope Coordination
- Well‑defined scopes and constructible solutions that improve competitiveness and handoff quality
- Participate in pre‑bid meetings/site walks; incorporate addenda promptly; document scope gaps and qualifications
- Coordinate supplier and subcontractor outreach; solicit, level, and confirm quotes to ensure comprehensive coverage
- Lead value engineering and alternates; provide conceptual budgets for key clients; support design‑build/design‑assist
- Draft final proposal language and scope sheets; ensure accuracy and clarity for client/GC review.
Cost Data, Systems & Continuous Improvement
- Reliable cost intelligence and efficient tools that increase estimating accuracy and speed
- Own the estimating database, maintain material pricing, labor units, and standard assemblies
- Curate historical cost data and benchmark libraries; update unit pricing and labor factors based on actuals and market
- Track bid pipeline, hit rates, and variance‑to‑budget insights; convert lessons learned into updated standards
- Evaluate and implement software upgrades, plug‑ins, and digital takeoff workflows that improve throughput and quality
Team Development & Project Turnover
- A capable, engaged estimating team and clean handoffs that set projects up for success
- Coach estimators on technical accuracy, takeoff methods, quote leveling, and client communication; create development plans and training pathways
- Standardize file structures and turnover documentation
- Lead estimate‑to‑project turnover meetings with Operations/Project Managers; support contract scope reviews and procurement planning.
Opportunity Development, Qualification & Client Management
- A healthy pipeline of well‑qualified electrical opportunities and strong close rates through proactive relationship building and sales ownership
- Own qualifying and solidifying construction opportunities, conduct discovery with clients/GCs, define win strategy, and manage pursuits from opportunity to award
- Build and maintain relationships with target GCs, developers, and end users; schedule touchpoints, attend industry events, and represent the company in presentations
- Coordinate with the CEO on target markets, key clients, and annual revenue/margin goals; report on pipeline, hit rates, and forecast
- Monitor market trends (material/equipment pricing, labor conditions) to inform pricing strategy and proposal positioning.
Qualifications:
- Mastery of electrical estimating software and digital takeoff platforms; strong Excel competency
- Experience with design build of electrical/distribution systems
- Deep knowledge of NEC, electrical systems, installation methods, prefabrication, and productivity factors
- Proficiency in RFI writing, scope writing, quote solicitation/leveling, and proposal drafting (inclusions/exclusions/alternates)
- Business development & client management: lead intake/qualification, discovery, solution framing, proposal development, and presentations
- Leadership: team coaching, workload management across concurrent pursuits, clear communication with clients and internal stakeholders
- Experience in design‑build/design‑assist and conceptual budgeting
- Active involvement with industry associations.