Director of Estimating & Pre-Construction
Private Not Disclosed, Reno, NV, United States
Director of Estimating & Pre-construction
Northern Nevada | Civil Construction
Position Overview A leading civil construction and site development firm in Northern Nevada is seeking a seasoned Director of Estimating & Pre-construction to lead and elevate its estimating organization.
This is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the full pre-construction lifecycle — from early pursuit strategy through bid submission and turnover. The Director will lead a team of junior and senior estimators, partner closely with Operations and Project Management, and play a critical role in protecting margins, ensuring constructibility, and supporting the company’s continued growth.
This position offers the opportunity to own the estimating department, help shape future hiring and structure, and work collaboratively alongside other department leaders as the organization scales.
Reporting Structure
Title:
Director of Estimating & Pre-construction
Reports To:
Senior Leadership
Key Responsibilities
Lead and manage all estimating and pre-construction efforts across civil construction and site development projects
Oversee junior and senior estimators, including takeoff and support functions
Evaluate team capacity, workload distribution, and future staffing needs
Mentor and develop internal talent through coaching, accountability, and performance standards
Establish a culture of accuracy, professionalism, collaboration, and execution-focused estimating
Direct all estimating activities from pursuit review through final proposal submission
Review plans, specifications, and bid documents to ensure complete scope coverage
Identify constructibility concerns, scope gaps, and design inconsistencies early
Communicate major risks, assumptions, and cost drivers clearly to senior leadership
Ensure pricing reflects real-world execution, logistics, and field conditions
Identify, quantify, and mitigate project risks related to cost, schedule, and constructibility
Review general conditions, site constraints, phasing, sequencing, and production assumptions
Partner closely with Operations and Project Management to validate bid strategy and execution plans
Support value engineering and alternative approaches during pre-construction
Project Management Coordination & Turnover
Lead the transition of awarded projects from estimating to execution
Support job kick-off meetings and alignment on scope, assumptions, and budgets
Ensure estimates are converted into accurate, cost-code–level project budgets
Assist with change pricing, scope clarifications, and pre-construction support during execution
Participate in periodic project reviews and site visits to strengthen feedback loops
Systems, Process Improvement & Technology
Own estimating systems and continuous improvement initiatives, including
HCSS HeavyBid
Maintain and enhance production models, labor and equipment costing, and material databases
Standardize estimating processes, templates, and documentation
Reduce reliance on fragmented spreadsheets and improve scalability of estimating operations
Client, Partner & Industry Relationships
Build strong relationships with clients, design teams, subcontractors, and suppliers
Represent the company professionally within the industry and local community
Support a reputation built on responsiveness, integrity, and execution excellence
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Success in this role will be measured by:
Estimate accuracy and bid-to-job variance
Quality of scope capture and risk identification
Timeliness and consistency of bid execution
Effectiveness of project turnover and startup alignment
Adoption and optimization of HeavyBid systems
Development and growth of the estimating team
Contribution to margin protection and predictable project outcomes
Qualifications Experience
8+ years of estimating experience in civil construction, heavy earthwork, excavation, or underground utilities
Demonstrated experience leading estimating teams and takeoff functions
Proven collaboration with Operations and Project Management teams
Technical Expertise
Strong proficiency with estimating platforms, particularly
HCSS HeavyBid
Deep understanding of construction means, methods, and field execution
Ability to interpret complex plans, specifications, schedules, and logistics requirements
Leadership & Communication
Confident, accountable leader with strong judgment and executive-level communication skills
Ability to work cross-functionally and influence decision-making at the leadership level
Commitment to values centered on integrity, reputation, and resilience
Base salary target range: approximately $160,000+, depending on experience
Flexibility above range may be considered for a highly qualified leader who can fully own and elevate the estimating function
Opportunity to help shape the future structure and growth of the pre-construction team, with potential to expand leadership capacity as workload increases
Why This Role Matters This is a cornerstone leadership position within a growing civil construction organization. The Director of Estimating & Preconstruction plays a direct role in determining which projects are pursued, how they are priced, and how successfully they are executed.
For the right leader, this is an opportunity to step into a
high-impact, department-owning role
with visibility, influence, and long-term growth potential.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Northern Nevada | Civil Construction
Position Overview A leading civil construction and site development firm in Northern Nevada is seeking a seasoned Director of Estimating & Pre-construction to lead and elevate its estimating organization.
This is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the full pre-construction lifecycle — from early pursuit strategy through bid submission and turnover. The Director will lead a team of junior and senior estimators, partner closely with Operations and Project Management, and play a critical role in protecting margins, ensuring constructibility, and supporting the company’s continued growth.
This position offers the opportunity to own the estimating department, help shape future hiring and structure, and work collaboratively alongside other department leaders as the organization scales.
Reporting Structure
Title:
Director of Estimating & Pre-construction
Reports To:
Senior Leadership
Key Responsibilities
Lead and manage all estimating and pre-construction efforts across civil construction and site development projects
Oversee junior and senior estimators, including takeoff and support functions
Evaluate team capacity, workload distribution, and future staffing needs
Mentor and develop internal talent through coaching, accountability, and performance standards
Establish a culture of accuracy, professionalism, collaboration, and execution-focused estimating
Direct all estimating activities from pursuit review through final proposal submission
Review plans, specifications, and bid documents to ensure complete scope coverage
Identify constructibility concerns, scope gaps, and design inconsistencies early
Communicate major risks, assumptions, and cost drivers clearly to senior leadership
Ensure pricing reflects real-world execution, logistics, and field conditions
Identify, quantify, and mitigate project risks related to cost, schedule, and constructibility
Review general conditions, site constraints, phasing, sequencing, and production assumptions
Partner closely with Operations and Project Management to validate bid strategy and execution plans
Support value engineering and alternative approaches during pre-construction
Project Management Coordination & Turnover
Lead the transition of awarded projects from estimating to execution
Support job kick-off meetings and alignment on scope, assumptions, and budgets
Ensure estimates are converted into accurate, cost-code–level project budgets
Assist with change pricing, scope clarifications, and pre-construction support during execution
Participate in periodic project reviews and site visits to strengthen feedback loops
Systems, Process Improvement & Technology
Own estimating systems and continuous improvement initiatives, including
HCSS HeavyBid
Maintain and enhance production models, labor and equipment costing, and material databases
Standardize estimating processes, templates, and documentation
Reduce reliance on fragmented spreadsheets and improve scalability of estimating operations
Client, Partner & Industry Relationships
Build strong relationships with clients, design teams, subcontractors, and suppliers
Represent the company professionally within the industry and local community
Support a reputation built on responsiveness, integrity, and execution excellence
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Success in this role will be measured by:
Estimate accuracy and bid-to-job variance
Quality of scope capture and risk identification
Timeliness and consistency of bid execution
Effectiveness of project turnover and startup alignment
Adoption and optimization of HeavyBid systems
Development and growth of the estimating team
Contribution to margin protection and predictable project outcomes
Qualifications Experience
8+ years of estimating experience in civil construction, heavy earthwork, excavation, or underground utilities
Demonstrated experience leading estimating teams and takeoff functions
Proven collaboration with Operations and Project Management teams
Technical Expertise
Strong proficiency with estimating platforms, particularly
HCSS HeavyBid
Deep understanding of construction means, methods, and field execution
Ability to interpret complex plans, specifications, schedules, and logistics requirements
Leadership & Communication
Confident, accountable leader with strong judgment and executive-level communication skills
Ability to work cross-functionally and influence decision-making at the leadership level
Commitment to values centered on integrity, reputation, and resilience
Base salary target range: approximately $160,000+, depending on experience
Flexibility above range may be considered for a highly qualified leader who can fully own and elevate the estimating function
Opportunity to help shape the future structure and growth of the pre-construction team, with potential to expand leadership capacity as workload increases
Why This Role Matters This is a cornerstone leadership position within a growing civil construction organization. The Director of Estimating & Preconstruction plays a direct role in determining which projects are pursued, how they are priced, and how successfully they are executed.
For the right leader, this is an opportunity to step into a
high-impact, department-owning role
with visibility, influence, and long-term growth potential.
#J-18808-Ljbffr