Estimating Manager

McCulloh Consulting is working to identify an experienced Estimating Manager for its Houston-area team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an estimator or preconstruction professional who has developed a strong foundation in commercial construction and is ready to take on greater ownership of complex estimates, trade coordination, subcontractor relationships, and preconstruction strategy.

The Estimating Manager will play an important role in developing competitive bids and negotiated proposals while partnering closely with operations, field leadership, subcontractors, vendors, and clients throughout the preconstruction process.

The Opportunity

This position goes well beyond simply putting numbers into an estimate.

You will have the opportunity to take ownership of major estimating efforts, evaluate alternative construction approaches, coordinate multiple trades, analyze building systems, participate in procurement strategy, and help determine how projects can be delivered more efficiently and profitably.

The organization offers a collaborative environment where estimating, preconstruction, operations, and field teams work closely together from the earliest stages of a project.

For someone who enjoys the technical side of estimating but also wants to continue developing as a leader, this role offers a strong path for continued advancement.

What You'll Be Doing

As an Estimating Manager, you will:

• Prepare detailed and complex cost estimates for competitive bids and negotiated construction opportunities.
• Perform and oversee quantity takeoffs and detailed quantity surveys from plans and specifications.
• Develop scopes of work covering multiple construction trades.
• Review drawings, specifications, schedules, logistics requirements, and other project documentation to develop comprehensive estimates.
• Solicit, evaluate, and coordinate pricing from subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors.
• Manage bid packages and help ensure appropriate market coverage across applicable trades.
• Coordinate bid-day activities, estimate summaries, general requirements, and procurement information.
• Evaluate building components and MEP systems as part of the overall estimating and preconstruction process.
• Partner with operations and field teams to evaluate project logistics, staging, phasing, scheduling, and constructability.
• Identify value-engineering and value-creation opportunities that can improve project outcomes.
• Evaluate alternative means and methods of construction to find more economical and efficient solutions.
• Develop professional estimating deliverables for major project milestones.
• Maintain clear documentation and an audit trail throughout the estimating process.
• Build productive relationships with subcontractors, vendors, project teams, clients, and other stakeholders.
• Help train, coach, and mentor developing estimators and other members of the preconstruction team.
• Support project profitability through thoughtful estimating, cost analysis, procurement strategy, and understanding of construction fees, rates, and related cost structures.

Additional Requirement

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer-sponsored employment authorization.

Interested in Learning More?

You do not need to be actively searching for another position to have a conversation.

If you have a strong commercial construction estimating or preconstruction background and would be interested in understanding the scope of the opportunity, project environment, compensation, leadership team, and potential career path, we would be happy to speak confidentially.

Requirements

We are particularly interested in professionals with experience working for a commercial general contractor and exposure to estimating projects across multiple trades.

Ideal candidates will bring:

• 3+ years of professional construction estimating experience.
• Approximately 5+ years of overall construction industry experience preferred.
• Experience working on estimating projects in excess of $20M
• Experience developing estimates for commercial construction projects.
• Experience with competitive bidding and/or negotiated or GMP-style projects.
• Strong knowledge of quantity takeoffs and construction estimating.
• Experience developing and reviewing scopes of work across multiple trades.
• Understanding of subcontractor and vendor solicitation, pricing, and bid leveling.
• Familiarity with mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural, architectural, and general construction scopes.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications.
• Understanding of construction means, methods, sequencing, and field operations.
• Experience with construction estimating software and related technology.
• Strong Excel and general Microsoft Office capabilities.
• Strong communication, presentation, organization, and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to collaborate effectively with both preconstruction and operational teams.

A bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline is preferred, although relevant industry experience can be considered in place of the degree.

Leadership Experience

You do not necessarily need to already be running an entire estimating department.

We are interested in experienced estimators, senior estimators, preconstruction professionals, and current estimating managers who have demonstrated the ability to take ownership of estimates, coordinate with multiple stakeholders, help guide junior team members, and operate with increasing independence.

Candidates who have mentored or developed other estimators will be especially attractive.

Benefits

Compensation

Target base compensation: approximately $135,000 annually, with final compensation dependent upon experience, background, scope, and overall fit.

The opportunity also includes a comprehensive professional benefits package and the ability to continue building a long-term career within an established construction organization.

Why Consider this Opportunity?

For the right construction estimating professional, this role offers several attractive advantages:

High-Impact Work

You'll have meaningful responsibility for the estimates and preconstruction decisions that shape major construction projects before they ever reach the field.

Strong Career Path

This is a position where an experienced estimator can continue developing into increasingly senior estimating and preconstruction leadership responsibilities.

Collaborative Project Delivery

Estimating does not operate in a silo. You'll work closely with project executives, operations leaders, project managers, field teams, subcontractors, and clients.

Complex Project Exposure

You'll have the opportunity to work through sophisticated estimates involving numerous scopes, building systems, logistics considerations, subcontractor markets, and construction strategies.

Leadership Opportunity

The position provides the opportunity to mentor others while continuing to strengthen your own technical and leadership capabilities.