Summary
The Estimating Manager is responsible for leading the daily operations of the estimating team and managing the preparation of accurate, competitive, and timely project estimates. This role oversees estimating staff workloads, bid schedules, estimate quality, subcontractor/vendor outreach, and internal coordination throughout the bid process. The Estimating Manager partners closely with the Director of Preconstruction, Operations, and Business Development teams to support project pursuit strategies and successful project handoff.
Essential Job Functions
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Direct estimating staff on all assignments and ensure accountability with company protocols
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Ensure estimating milestones and deliverables are met.
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Responsible for training of estimating staff
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Ensure completeness and quality of work
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Provide estimating capacity and input on what projects to bid
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Provide input on bid strategy
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Oversee estimating responsibilities for all bids
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Pre-bid meeting attendance
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Coordinate subcontractor/vendor communications
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Review quantity takeoffs
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Scope responsibilities
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Bid delivery
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Bid schedule and resource allocation for all bids
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Follow the systems/forms used by estimating
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Master work scopes/tab sheets
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Estimate templates
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Estimating programs
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Takeoff
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Pricing
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Vendor database
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Online plan room / ITB system
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Filing system and organization compliance
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Bonding/insurance company compliance regarding items required for all bids
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Bid bonds
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Proper insurance costs included within each estimate
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Verification of all add-on costs used in all estimates
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Maintain working knowledge of major scopes and high risk items for all bids
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Manage internal estimating process from kickoff through submission to ensure a successful bid
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Estimating coordination meetings
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Maintain adherence by the bid team to the bid schedule
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Verification that all bid responsibilities are being performed
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Review and approval of all takeoff and estimated amounts for all self-performed items
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Verify bid teams’ knowledge of the assigned scopes of work
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Verify communication of all addenda / supplemental information to the bid team and bidders
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Identify coordination items between scopes of work and communicate those items to the bid team
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Support subcontractor outreach and bid coverage efforts
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Develop and maintain strong relationships with trade partners and suppliers
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Assist in expanding and maintaining vendor/subcontractor databases
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Estimate set up
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General Conditions estimate
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Determine project duration
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Special project-specific requirements
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Bid day/closeout spreadsheet
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Alternate, unit cost, and bid breakdown set-up
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Communicate bid day proposal requirements with the bid team
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Bid Day
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Input of all numbers into the estimate
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Oversee bid team and review scopes/quotes received
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Determine when various items need to be input into the estimate
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Assist in determining the lowest qualified bidder
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Ensure major manufacturers/suppliers and proprietary item suppliers have been contacted
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Analyze potential favors/hindrances
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Prepare bid forms and all required attachments
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Analyze/estimate competitors' bid amounts
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Provide input on bid day fee with AM
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Provide input on final bid amount with AM
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Collect all bid tab sheets/quotes from the bid team
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Determine method of organization/filing
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Ensure bids are added to the bid history log
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Input bid results within the estimate file
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Hit Rate: Track bid win percentage against annual targets and maintain competitive close ratios.
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Fee Protection: Ensure estimate accuracy and scope alignment to protect planned fee margins.
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No Scope Holes: Verify complete scope coverage across all bids with zero omissions.
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Ability to Meet Revenue Standards: Manage bid pipeline and estimating throughput to support revenue goals.
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Market Awareness / Sub Coverage: Maintain strong market intelligence and adequate subcontractor/vendor coverage for all pursuits.
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Ensure new vendors are identified and added to our vendor database
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Manage all cost savings processes
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Attend all post-project review meetings and implement any required adjustments to future estimates
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Attend all turnover meetings for awarded projects
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Complete all rebuilt estimates
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Coordinate all information required for the bid turnover meeting
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Rebuilt estimate
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Cost category summaries
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Ensure all quantities and self-performed items are clearly communicated to management and field teams in usable formats
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Ensure the entire bid team’s knowledge of the project is clearly communicated to management and the field
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Perform estimating staff employee reviews
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Positively represents TMG as the most sought-after construction partner and employer of choice within the industry and the community.
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Consistently contributes to and promotes a positive company culture.
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Believes in and exemplifies the TMG Core Values: (1) Work Ethic, (2) Solution Oriented, (3) Project Excellence, (4) Client Centric, (5) Professionalism
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Assists with TMG’s positive revenue and profitability
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Markets the TMG Mission, Vision, and Brand Promise both externally and internally.
Competencies
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Embraces the role of mentor for their team, encouraging continuous performance development for team members to support professional growth
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Ensures team follows established estimating processes and company protocols.
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Meets all internal and external deadlines consistently
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Places importance on sustaining and improving upon positive company culture
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Can create a cohesive team built on mutual trust; Creates and maintains psychological safety for those on their team and throughout the organization
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Has the ability and places importance on demonstrating empathy for others
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Encourages their team to maintain a healthy balance of work/life
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Checks in with team members proactively and regularly, helping them prioritize tasks and align their work with our corporate strategy
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Demonstrates respectful behavior toward employees at all levels of the organization
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Portrays and exhibits a professional presence in the communities we currently serve, in communities we may serve in the future, and through social media outlets.
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Ability to create strong customer relations
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Ability to give and receive timely feedback
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Possess a commitment to excellence
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Must be a motivated team player, looking to succeed
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills
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Excellent organizational and time management skills
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Operationally focused; detail-oriented but able to grasp the big picture
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Excellent people skills, able to manage, motivate, and discipline if necessary
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Must possess a strong work ethic and be able to lead by example
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Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing deadlines
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Accuracy driven with a commitment to estimate completeness and precision
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Strong decision-making skills, especially under pressure and during bid-day activities
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Possess the following knowledge of codes:
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Standard building codes
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Local codes
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State Fire Marshall requirements
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Other authorities having jurisdiction
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Possess knowledge of design:
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Architectural
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Structural
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MEP
Education/Experience
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Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Business Administration, Construction / Project Management, or equivalent required
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8-12 years of general construction experience in the commercial space or the like, with a concentration on pre-construction and estimating
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Proficient with MS Excel, MS Word, and estimating and earthworks software; On-screen Takeoff, Timberline experience preferred
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The candidate will have a track record of proven leadership abilities (communication, relationship building, training & development, employment decisions) as well as commercial general construction estimating and pre-construction experience
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Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment criminal, driving, and drug screen
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Must possess a current and valid state driver’s license and a clean driving record
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those required of an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. While performing the duties, the employee is regularly required to use close vision to read engineering blueprints and reduced-size black-and-white drawings, specifications, fine print, reports, schedules, estimates, spreadsheets, summaries, and other documents in either hard copy or on a computer monitor. Must be able to converse on the telephone and in person, use hands and fingers to write and type, prepare email messages with attached files, and use personal computers and calculators. The employee will periodically need to lift and/or carry heavy documents, such as specifications and/or equipment, weighing up to 25 pounds.
EEO Statement
The McDonnel Group, LLC is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Individuals who require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in the search process should notify Human Resources
