Estimator/Project Manager

Job Summary As a foundational leader within DBI, the Senior Estimator is responsible for driving the accuracy, strategy, and profitability of our preconstruction and bidding operations. You will develop high-caliber, granular cost models, encompassing time, material, labor, and overhead, for metal framing, drywall, finishes, ACT, and insulation scopes ranging from $250K to $12M. Beyond pricing, this role requires acting as a strategic partner to clients, identifying new project opportunities, and negotiating bids. Qualifications • Precision Cost Modeling: Perform comprehensive quantity takeoffs and build detailed labor and material estimates with a keen eye on risk and scope gaps and strategic opportunities. • Business Development & Relationships: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with customer preconstruction teams, project managers, and vendors to ensure a consistent pipeline of work. • Strategic Opportunity Identification: Proactively scan the market for emerging opportunities and evaluate bid strategies to maximize win rates and project margins. • Specialized Trade Knowledge: Deep, firsthand knowledge of commercial construction operations, with a strict emphasis on metal framing, drywall, finish, ACT, and insulation. • Advanced Document Fluency: Master-level ability to read, interpret, and cross-reference complex construction drawings, structural specifications, contracts, and master schedules. • Material & Method Expertise: Strong, up-to-date knowledge of advanced construction materials, installation methods, and regional labor productivity rates. Essential Job Functions • Execute High-Precision Estimates: Deliver highly accurate, granular cost estimates for labor, production rates, time, and materials across all assigned project scopes. • Master Complex Bid Cycles: Thoroughly review and interpret project specifications, bid instructions, architectural drawings, scopes, and schedules, managing up to 5 rounds of bidding on large-scale projects. • Leverage Bid Board Pro and Plexxis: Track, organize, and maintain meticulous records of cost development and project opportunities through sales pipelines. • Cultivate Strategic Networks: Source quotes and build high-quality, long-term relationships with key subcontractors and material suppliers. • Lead Budget Handoffs: Partner actively with the preconstruction and operations teams post-award to establish precise project budgets and production baselines. • Own Cost Data Integrity: Populate and maintain a detailed historical database of job costs to continually sharpen future estimating accuracy. • Support Field Operations: Provide technical and estimating support to the operational team during project execution to mitigate scope gap risks. • Conduct Field Analysis: Attend mandatory job site visits to verify physical conditions, project progress, and trade coordination needs. • Mentorship: Mentors and develops junior estimators through hands-on guidance, takeoff review, and knowledge sharing on estimating standards and best practices. • Team Development: Serves as a resource for less experienced team members by providing feedback on bids, clarifying scope interpretation, and supporting their growth in the estimating process. Tech & Software Proficiencies: • Digital Takeoff Tools: Experience with modern digital takeoff software (The Estimating Edge or willingness to learn) • MS Excel: Expert-level spreadsheet skills required. • AI Tools (Preferred but not required): Familiarity with AI-driven construction technology, automated takeoff tools, or predictive cost-estimation software to increase speed and accuracy. Ability to use LLM to assist in daily tasks (Claude) Experience: • Minimum of 7 years of progressive commercial estimating experience. • Engineering or Construction Management degree preferred, or equivalent field experience. • Advanced communication and relationship-building skills.