Chief Estimator
Houston, TX - USA
Job Summary
Houston TX Preconstruction & Estimating Leadership
Were partnering with a well-established PE-backed electrical contractor in Houston to identify a Chief Estimator who can help lead the estimating function through an exciting period of continued growth.
The company has built a strong reputation in the Houston market and is positioned for significant expansion. This role will lead an experienced tenured estimating team and work directly alongside a highly respected Director of Preconstruction & Estimating providing an opportunity to step into meaningful leadership without walking into a department that needs to be rebuilt.
Were looking for someone who brings strong electrical estimating knowledge first and foremost along with the leadership presence commercial judgment and preconstruction expertise to help the team continue to scale. Healthcare project experience is highly preferred particularly experience working within complex occupied or technically demanding environments.
Our benchmark for the level of talent were targeting includes significant preconstruction experience across large complex projects conceptual through GMP estimating value engineering bid strategy scope analysis risk assessment subcontractor coordination and strong relationships with owners design teams and trade partners.
The Opportunity
As Chief Estimator youll play a key leadership role within the preconstruction and estimating organization partnering closely with the Director of Preconstruction & Estimating while helping lead and develop an established team.
This is an opportunity to combine deep electrical knowledge with broader preconstruction leadership helping shape pursuit strategy strengthen estimating processes mentor the team and ensure the organization is positioned to successfully pursue increasingly complex and high-profile work.
- Lead and support electrical estimating efforts from early conceptual budgeting through final bid
- Partner closely with the Director of Preconstruction & Estimating on strategy workload pursuits and team development
- Provide leadership and mentorship to an experienced tenured estimating team
- Review estimates takeoffs scopes pricing and bid packages for accuracy and completeness
- Develop conceptual schematic design-development and detailed estimates
- Analyze drawings and specifications to identify scope risk constructability concerns and potential cost exposure
- Lead value engineering and alternative-system discussions
- Develop competitive bid strategies while protecting appropriate margins and managing risk
- Maintain current knowledge of electrical material equipment labor and subcontractor pricing
- Build and maintain strong relationships with general contractors owners vendors subcontractors and other industry partners
- Collaborate with operations and project leadership to ensure a successful transition from preconstruction through execution
- Help strengthen estimating standards processes technology and best practices as the company continues to scale
- Support the evaluation and pursuit of larger more complex projects and strategic growth opportunities
- Significant electrical estimating and preconstruction experience within commercial construction
- Deep working knowledge of electrical systems scopes labor materials equipment and constructability
- Experience estimating large and technically complex projects
- Healthcare construction experience highly preferred
- Experience leading mentoring or developing estimators
- Strong conceptual estimating capabilities in addition to detailed takeoff and pricing experience
- Proven understanding of bid strategy value engineering scope analysis risk management and competitive pricing
- Ability to confidently review and challenge estimates rather than simply compile numbers
- Strong relationships and credibility with operations teams general contractors vendors and trade partners
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with multiple concurrent pursuits
- Strong communication and leadership presence
- Technology-forward mindset and willingness to leverage modern estimating and preconstruction tools
This is not an opportunity to inherit a struggling estimating department.
Youll be joining a strong tenured team under established preconstruction leadership at a company that already has a successful foundation and is now positioned for its next stage of growth.
The organization is backed by private equity creating additional resources and investment to support continued expansion while maintaining the entrepreneurial environment and industry expertise that built the business.
For the right person this offers an attractive combination: a strong existing team respected leadership significant project opportunities and the chance to play an important role in scaling the estimating and preconstruction function as the company grows.
If youre an experienced electrical estimator or preconstruction leader who knows the Houston construction market understands how to competitively pursue complex work and wants an opportunity where your expertise can have a meaningful impact on the future of the business wed like to speak with you.