The Chief Estimator / Preconstruction Manager is responsible for leading the company’s estimating function, driving bid strategy, and supporting successful project pursuits from early-stage budgeting through contract award.
This role combines technical estimating expertise, team leadership, and client engagement, with a strong focus on delivering accurate, competitive, and buildable project pricing. The Chief Estimator plays a key role in business development, pipeline management, and revenue generation, while ensuring alignment between estimating, operations, and executive leadership.
Lead and manage the estimating department, including multi-state and remote team members
Provide mentorship, training, and technical development for estimators
Establish and maintain standards, processes, and consistency across all estimating efforts
Support hiring, onboarding, and organizational development within the estimating team
Estimating Oversight & Bid Strategy
Hard bid and negotiated projects
Owner’s Representative (Owner’s Rep) bids
Guide estimates from conceptual budgeting through final submission
Ensure bids are complete, well-organized, and aligned with project requirements
Lead go/no-go decisions and pursuit strategy discussions
Review drawings, specifications, and scope for risk, completeness, and constructability
Business Development & Client Leadership
Serve as a client-facing leader during preconstruction and pursuit phases
Support presentations, interviews, and proposals
Build and maintain strong client relationships
Collaborate with leadership to support pipeline growth and market expansion
Maintain visibility into all active and upcoming pursuits
Support prioritization of opportunities based on capacity, strategic fit, and probability of success
Contribute to revenue forecasting and pipeline management
Ensure estimating efforts align with overall business and growth objectives
Subcontractor Management, Buyout & Value Engineering
Oversee subcontractor outreach, coverage, and engagement
Direct bid leveling, scope alignment, and comparative analysis
Support subcontractor negotiations and buyout strategy
Lead value engineering (VE) efforts to optimize cost, constructability, and schedule
Project Experience & Market Focus
-
Retail renovation and occupied/phased remodel projects
-
Commercial and warehouse construction
-
K12 and public sector work
Experience with fast-track schedules, night work, and phased construction sequencing
-
Public work, prevailing wage, and federal project requirements
Technical Expertise & Field Awareness
Ensure estimates reflect real-world construction practices and constraints
Promote practical, field-informed estimating across the team
Estimating, Operations, Clients and stakeholders
Ensure accurate transfer of scope, assumptions, and risks during handoff to operations
Support alignment across departments throughout the project lifecycle
10+ years of experience in construction estimating or preconstruction
Hard bid and negotiated work
CM, Owner’s Rep, and Design-Build delivery methods
Strong leadership experience, including managing and developing teams
Experience with retail renovation, occupied/phased construction, and fast-track projects
Solid understanding of construction methods, sequencing, and cost drivers
Strong communication and client engagement skills
Technical Skills
Procore
PlanSwift / On-Screen Takeoff (OST)
Bluebeam
Microsoft Project
Experience managing multi-state estimating teams
Experience with public sector and federal projects
Background in scaling or improving an estimating/preconstruction function
Strategic thinking and decision-making
Strong communication and collaboration skills
Attention to detail with a practical, execution-focused mindset
Competitive salary based on experience
70% employer-paid healthcare coverage for employees and 30% employer contribution for dependent coverage
Dental, vision, and supplemental insurance options
At Smith Group of Americas, our mission is to deliver high‑quality, cost‑effective construction solutions that create lasting value for our clients, empower our people, and strengthen the communities we serve. We show up with integrity, professionalism, and accountability giving back through service, mentorship, and investment in the communities where we live and work.
