Senior Estimator
Sky Staff, LLC
Houston, TX | Full-Time
BUILD MORE THAN ESTIMATES. BUILD WINNING PROJECTS.
Sky Staff, LLC (“Sky Staff”) is seeking an exceptional Senior Estimator who wants more than a traditional estimating position. We are looking for a high-performing construction professional capable of leading complex pursuits, developing winning pricing strategies, mentoring estimating professionals, and helping drive the continued growth of a rapidly expanding national organization.
This position is designed for individuals who aspire to become future Directors of Preconstruction, Operations Leaders, and Executive Leaders. The successful candidate will play a vital role in developing strategic project pursuits, supporting business development initiatives, improving estimating systems, and helping elevate the performance and capabilities of the Preconstruction Department.
Sky Staff operates within the FGC2 platform of 30 operating and affiliated companies spanning construction, healthcare, industrial, emergency response, restoration, equipment rental, manufacturing, supply and distribution, technology, real estate development, and insurance recovery services.
This role offers a unique opportunity to work directly with executive leadership while leading the preconstruction efforts for complex healthcare, government, commercial, industrial, aviation, education, and mission-critical construction projects throughout the United States.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Senior Estimator serves as a key leader within Sky Staff's Preconstruction Department, leading the estimating efforts for complex negotiated, Design-Build, CMAR, GMP, and competitive hard-bid projects. This position develops conceptual budgets, detailed estimates, pricing strategies, and value engineering solutions while supporting business development and ensuring successful project transitions to operations.
Working closely with executive leadership, project management, business development, architects, engineers, owners, subcontractors, and suppliers, the Senior Estimator provides the technical expertise, market intelligence, and strategic thinking necessary to position Skyler for profitable growth and successful project delivery. The Senior Estimator leads preconstruction activities from conceptual budgeting and design development through procurement, final pricing, and project turnover.
KEY LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
Preconstruction Leadership
- Lead estimating efforts for the company’s largest and most complex project pursuits.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary estimating efforts with internal teams and external consultants.
- Mentor and develop Estimators through coaching, technical training, and professional development.
Strategic Estimating & Cost Engineering
- Develop comprehensive conceptual budgets, schematic estimates, detailed construction estimates, and Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) proposals.
- Perform and review quantity takeoffs for major building systems to validate estimate accuracy and completeness.
- Review drawings, specifications, reports, and contract documents to identify scope gaps, constructability concerns, scheduling challenges, and project risks.
- Lead constructability reviews with project teams to identify cost-saving opportunities, sequencing considerations, and potential project risks.
- Develop strategic pricing and risk mitigation strategies through market intelligence, procurement planning, subcontractor engagement, and constructability reviews.
- Lead value engineering and alternative systems analyses to optimize project cost, schedule, constructability, and long-term owner value.
- Conduct comprehensive bid leveling, subcontractor evaluations, and scope comparisons.
- Utilize BIM, VDC, and digital construction technologies to improve quantity takeoffs, visualization, coordination, and estimating accuracy.
- Coordinate the distribution of drawings, specifications, addenda, and bid documents to subcontractors and suppliers to ensure complete and competitive pricing.
- Prepare executive-level estimate summaries, bid analyses, assumptions, clarifications, and risk assessments.
- Visit project sites to evaluate existing conditions, verify project constraints, and identify scope not fully reflected in the contract documents.
Business Development & Client Relations
- Partner with Business Development and executive leadership to identify, evaluate, and pursue strategic opportunities.
- Assist executive leadership in developing winning pursuit strategies for negotiated and competitive opportunities.
- Support negotiated work by preparing conceptual budgets during early project planning.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, suppliers, and industry partners.
- Represent Sky Staff professionally throughout the preconstruction process while reinforcing The Skyler Way and the company's commitment to excellence, integrity, and partnership.
Operational Excellence & Project Transition
- Lead the development, review, and assembly of Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), negotiated, and lump sum proposals.
- Lead estimate review meetings with executive leadership before proposal submission.
- Participate in estimate, budget, and GMP review meetings with owners, architects, and engineers, incorporating feedback into final pricing documents.
- Coordinate comprehensive project turnover meetings with Project Managers, Superintendents, and Operations teams following project award.
- Coordinate with Operations during preconstruction to validate logistics planning, General Conditions, staffing assumptions, procurement strategies, and project execution plans.
- Transfer project budgets, estimate assumptions, procurement strategies, schedule considerations, and identified risks to project teams.
- Analyze completed projects by comparing estimated versus actual costs to improve future estimating accuracy, profitability, and lessons learned.
- Participate in post-project cost analysis and lesson learned reviews.
- Maintain estimating documentation that supports future conceptual budgeting and benchmarking.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Construction Science, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 8+ years of progressively responsible estimating experience with a commercial general contractor.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex commercial construction pursuits.
- Experience in project engineering, field operations, purchasing, or project management.
- Extensive experience with negotiated work, Design-Build, CMAR, GMP, and hard-bid estimating.
- Strong understanding of commercial construction methods, sequencing, procurement strategies, scheduling, and project delivery.
- Ability to review and interpret architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing drawings and specifications.
- Advanced experience preparing conceptual budgets, cost models, quantity takeoffs, and detailed estimates.
- Ability to develop accurate conceptual estimates from limited design information.
- Advanced proficiency with Bluebeam, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, and industry-standard estimating software, with the ability to quickly learn emerging construction technologies.
- Excellent leadership, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and client communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines while maintaining exceptional accuracy.
- Willingness to travel as projects require.
Preferred
- Healthcare construction estimating experience.
- Government and federal construction experience.
- Mission-critical construction experience.
- Industrial, manufacturing, aviation, and higher education project experience.
- Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) certification or equivalent professional credential.
- DBIA certification or Design-Build experience.
- OSHA 30 certification.
- Experience utilizing BIM ,VDC, and digital construction technology.
- Experience with Sage Estimating, Timberline, OST, BuildingConnected, ConstructConnect, Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud, Primavera P6, or similar construction software.
- Experience estimating projects within occupied healthcare environments requiring ICRA and ILSM planning.
- Knowledge of Lean Construction principles.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The compensation package includes a competitive base salary range from $100,000 to $175,000 per year, performance-based bonuses and profit-sharing opportunities, medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) benefits, paid time off and holidays, professional development, industry training, and exposure to executive leadership and strategic initiatives.
WHY SKY STAFF
At Sky Staff, estimating is more than producing accurate numbers. Our preconstruction professionals are strategic partners who help shape projects before construction begins. We believe in accountability, adaptability, continuous improvement, and collaboration. If you're looking for an environment where your expertise is valued, your ideas are heard, and your career can continue to grow, we'd like to meet you.
If you're ready to lead complex project pursuits, collaborate with industry-leading professionals, and build a long-term career with one of the nation's fastest-growing construction organizations, we'd love to hear from you.
Please email your resume and cover letter to Howard Katzeff at [email protected].
SKY STAFF, LLC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Pay: $100,000.00 - $175,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
