The Role
Lead and manage the preconstruction estimating team: produce conceptual and schematic estimates, maintain subcontractor relationships, oversee estimating tools and prequalification, drive constructability reviews, support contract and risk assessment, present to clients, and develop staff while coordinating with executive leadership.
Summary Generated by Built In
Job Summary:
An Estimating Director is a leader that holds a unique seat within the Preconstruction Department as he/she communicates with both executive leadership on a consistent basis and is also intimately involved with the daily innerworkings of their respective estimating team and projects. Leadership is provided by working with their team by providing direction and assistance in all aspects of the preconstruction process. They will coordinate directly with VP’s and SVP’s on team assignments, training needs, and growth planning. The Estimating Director will hold a skillset beyond technical proficiencies and can accurately conceptually estimate, manage multiple complex projects at one time, and effectively delegate and manage their team.
Preconstruction Responsibilities:
- Possess the ability to assemble conceptual and schematic estimates across many market sectors.
- Have knowledge of current market pricing, fringes, wage rates, S&D, and trends.
- Must have strong working relationships with reputable subcontractors and have a willingness to foster relationships with new trade partners.
- Must be client-facing and comfortable presenting/interviewing to secure work.
- Understand the metrics involved in valuing buyout with subs and negotiations with clients.
- Possess the ability to effectively communicate complex topics to owners in a way that they may understand.
- Lead constructability reviews and engage Operations and sub partners early in the precon process.
- Create and hold operation milestone meetings during project operations/construction.
- Be able to lead multiple deliverable types: CMaR, Design Build, Public Hard Bid, Private Negotiated Design Assist, Build to Suit.
- Have the ability to remain detailed and aware of their team’s progress throughout the deliverable process without “micro-managing”.
- Be familiar with contract risk and contract types. (actual, liquidated, and consequential damages, etc.)
- Fairly delegate responsibilities amongst team members and be accessible to them.
- Clearly establish expectations for the team and his/herself.
- Can hold their team and themselves accountable and to high scrutiny.
- Can develop a healthy working relationship with his/her team and leadership to ensure the department is continually learning and taking steps to be the best.
- Be willing and eager to help their team with whatever needs to be done to ensure a successful project for our client, aid the design team in the development of construction documents that are biddable and buildable, mitigate our risk, and protect our fee.
Technical Responsibilities:
- Utilize an ITB platform with an ease of use and personal effect for our subcontractors.
- Ensure that all necessary estimating software is current and properly used.
- Establish and adhere to the standardized checks and balances set forth by executive and preconstruction leadership. Moreover, hold our team accountable to ensure adherence.
- Keep an up to date repository of prequalified subs and an update notification on prequal renewals as needed. Work with internal risk management and third-party clearinghouse to ensure we fully understand our risks with new subs.
- Be able to work remotely whether at home or on a job site.
Leadership Responsibilities & Traits:
- Aid in the career development and training of younger associates in the department.
- Foster a culture of comradery and non-isolation.
- Provide concise, productive, and honest feedback to leadership and team members in all matters.
- Work and lead by example.
- Recognize others in PreCon department for promotion from within.
- Look for new ways to be an industry leader through innovation, partnerships, and problem solving.
Skills Required
- Assemble conceptual and schematic estimates across multiple market sectors
- Knowledge of current market pricing, fringes, wage rates, S&D, and market trends
- Established working relationships with reputable subcontractors and ability to develop new trade partners
- Client-facing presentation and interviewing skills to secure work
- Understanding metrics for valuing buyout with subs and negotiation strategies with clients
- Ability to communicate complex topics to owners in a clear, understandable way
- Lead constructability reviews and engage Operations and subcontractor partners early in preconstruction
- Create and hold operational milestone meetings during project operations/construction
- Experience leading multiple delivery methods: CMaR, Design Build, Public Hard Bid, Private Negotiated Design Assist, Build to Suit
- Familiarity with contract risk and contract types (including actual, liquidated, and consequential damages)
- Proficiency with estimating software and ITB platforms; ensure tools are current and properly used
- Maintain up-to-date repository of prequalified subcontractors and coordinate with internal risk management/third-party clearinghouse
- Ability to work remotely and on job sites as needed
- Leadership and people development: train junior staff, provide constructive feedback, foster team culture, and hold team accountable
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The Company
What We Do
Kaufman Lynn Construction is a full-service commercial construction company serving public- and private-sector clients. Founded in 1989, it provides general contracting, construction management, and design-build services, delivering commercial, residential, and mixed-use projects across South Florida and beyond. The company emphasizes high-quality buildings, lasting client relationships, employee ownership, innovative construction technology, and efficient project execution through a collaborative, quality-focused approach to every assignment.
