Lead Estimator

Lead Estimator – Commercial Construction

HRforGrowth® is engaged as the talent acquisition partner to conduct this search on behalf of a client organization that is hiring for this role. HRforGrowth is not the employer for this position. HRforGrowth identifies, evaluates, and presents top-tier candidates through its global talent acquisition practice; all employment decisions — including final selection, offer terms, compensation, and conditions of employment — are made solely by the hiring organization.

Our Client is seeking an experienced Lead Estimator to lead the estimating and preconstruction process for commercial construction projects. This role will oversee projects from initial conceptual budgeting and scope review through bid strategy, subcontractor solicitation, final estimate, bid submission, and project turnover.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical estimating expertise with leadership, communication, and project-management skills while working closely with subcontractors, suppliers, clients, project managers, operations, accounting, purchasing, and executive leadership

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Location: Homestead/Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Job Type: Full-Time

Compensation: $120,000 – $145,000 per year

This position is focused on commercial construction estimating, preconstruction leadership, bid strategy, cost analysis, subcontractor coordination, and successful project turnover.

Key Responsibilities

· Lead the complete estimating process from project pursuit through final bid submission and turnover.

· Review and interpret construction drawings, specifications, contracts, scopes of work, and bid documents.

· Develop conceptual budgets, detailed estimates, cost analyses, proposals, and bid packages.

· Develop effective bidding strategies based on project scope, market conditions, schedule, and competition.

· Perform quantity takeoffs and analyze labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and other project costs.

· Solicit bids and proposals from qualified subcontractors and suppliers.

· Develop and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers to ensure competitive bid coverage.

· Review subcontractor and vendor proposals for scope compliance, completeness, exclusions, qualifications, and pricing.

· Identify scope gaps, discrepancies, risks, and potential cost-saving opportunities.

· Coordinate multiple estimates and bid deadlines simultaneously.

· Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, scope reviews, and client meetings as required.

· Prepare final bid submissions and ensure estimates are accurate, complete, and submitted on time.

· Coordinate estimating resources and provide guidance to estimating support personnel.

· Mentor and support junior estimators and members of the preconstruction team.

· Lead project turnover meetings and communicate critical estimating assumptions, scope information, budgets, and risks to operations and project management.

· Collaborate with Accounting, Operations, Project Management, Purchasing, and executive leadership.

· Maintain accurate estimating documentation and records throughout the bidding process.

· Support continuous improvement of estimating procedures, tools, and processes.

Project Experience

Experience with a variety of commercial and institutional construction projects is highly relevant, including:

· Ground-up commercial buildings

· Restaurants and hospitality facilities

· Schools and educational facilities

· Automotive dealerships

· Office buildings

· Retail developments

· Multi-family and multi-unit residential projects

· Other commercial and institutional construction projects

Required Skills & Experience

· Proven experience in commercial construction estimating.

· Demonstrated experience leading estimating activities and bid teams.

· Strong knowledge of commercial construction methods, materials, labor, and pricing.

· Ability to accurately interpret blueprints, construction drawings, specifications, contracts, and bid documents.

· Strong understanding of subcontractor and vendor procurement processes.

· Excellent mathematical, analytical, and cost-estimating skills.

· Ability to manage multiple projects, estimates, and deadlines simultaneously.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills.

· Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.

· Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

· Ability to work effectively with clients, subcontractors, vendors, project managers, and senior leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience with Timberline/Sage Estimating is highly preferred.

· Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.

· Equivalent hands-on commercial construction estimating and industry experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.

Leadership Responsibilities

· Provide leadership throughout the estimating and preconstruction process.

· Coordinate estimating resources and bid priorities.

· Guide subcontractor outreach and bid solicitation activities.

· Review estimates for accuracy, completeness, and competitiveness.

· Make informed estimating and bidding recommendations.

· Mentor and develop estimating support staff.

· Communicate project risks, assumptions, and opportunities to leadership.

· Support the successful transition of awarded projects from estimating to operations.

Work Environment

This is an on-site, office-based position in Homestead, Pennsylvania, serving the greater Pittsburgh market. The role involves regular use of computers, estimating software, construction drawings, specifications, and other project documentation. Occasional lifting of plans, drawings, and project materials weighing up to 50 pounds may be required.

Compensation & Opportunity

· Annual Salary: $120,000 – $145,000

· Full-Time employment

· Leadership position within an established commercial construction organization

· Opportunity for long-term career growth

· Exposure to diverse commercial construction projects

· Collaborative and professional work environment

Additional Requirements

· Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

· Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

· Candidates must be willing to work on-site in Homestead/Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

· Ability to manage multiple active bids and meet strict submission deadlines is essential.

Why Join?

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced commercial construction estimator who is ready to take on a leadership-level estimating role with an established Pittsburgh-area contractor. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence project pursuits, develop estimating strategies, mentor team members, and play a key role in the company's continued growth

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About HRforGrowth:
HRforGrowth is a full-service HR and talent partner built to support companies that are scaling, transforming, or navigating change. HRFG is globally recognized for delivering quality, speed, and cost-effective talent solutions across every level of the workforce. Through its global talent acquisition practice, HRforGrowth applies world class rigor and precision to identifying exceptional professional and executive talent on behalf of its clients — from temporary staffing to permanent hourly workers through to placing C-suite executives. HRforGrowth is presenting this opportunity in its capacity as the retained search partner and does not serve as the employer of record for this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity:In its recruiting and search practices, HRforGrowth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity, and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals. HRforGrowth evaluates and presents candidates to its clients without regard to any protected characteristic.

HRforGrowth endeavors to advise the hiring organization to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity laws — including those enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) — in its hiring decisions, terms of employment, and workplace practices.