Overview As Chief Estimator - Preconstruction, you will lead OHLA Building's estimating and preconstruction function to secure profitable work. You'll manage and mentor the estimating team, coordinate with clients, and develop winning strategies for negotiated and hard-bid pursuits. Your work drives growth, profitability, and risk-aware planning across vertical construction projects. This role combines leadership, technical rigor, and stakeholder engagement to shape high-value bids and project pipeline.
Compensation / Benefits- Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
- Short- and Long-Term Disability & Life Insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching
- Tuition Reimbursement after 1 year
- Personal Time Off Program (PTO)
- Engaging work environment
Responsibilities- Lead and develop the estimating and preconstruction team across multiple projects and pursuits
- Oversee conceptual, schematic, and detailed cost estimates for commercial, institutional, and mixed-use projects
- Manage preconstruction deliverables including budgets, schedule integrity, value engineering, constructability reviews, and risk assessments
- Lead bid reviews, subcontractor scope analysis, and final pricing strategy
- Serve as primary client contact during preconstruction and manage expectations on cost, schedule, and risk
- Develop market strategies and maintain subcontractor relationships to ensure competitive pricing
- Provide data-driven estimating input to assess project feasibility and pipeline health
- Deliver reporting on profitability forecasts, risk profiles, and project pipeline to leadership
- Champion cost discipline, risk awareness, and commercial accountability across preconstruction
Key requirements- 12+ years in estimating and preconstruction with at least 5 years in a leadership role
- Proven success estimating large-scale vertical building projects (commercial, institutional, mixed-use) with focus on profitability and risk reduction
- Strong knowledge of estimating techniques, cost control, scheduling, and industry best practices
- Proficiency in estimating software and tools (e.g., Autodesk Build, Primavera P6, Bluebeam)
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills to articulate value, risk, and ROI
- communication
- negotiation
- presentation
- estimating techniques
- cost control systems
- scheduling
