Chief Estimator/ Preconstruction Manager

Kapella Group • Centennial, CO

1d • $130,000 - $155,000

About The Position

A fast-growing commercial general contractor in the Denver metro area is hiring a hands-on Chief Estimator and Director of Preconstruction. The role is focused on personally estimating complex, ground-up commercial projects while leading and mentoring junior estimating staff. The position will oversee preconstruction from initial pursuit through project turnover, including constructability reviews, value engineering, GMP development, and technical contract negotiations. It will also establish and refine department standards, unit-cost databases, and proposal templates as the company grows. The role includes cultivating regional trade-partner relationships and working directly with clients during project alignment and bidding.

The company describes this as a builder’s role, emphasizing active, tactical estimating rather than a position focused only on reviewing or delegating estimates. The company is currently described as a $15M contractor with a stated trajectory to scale to $50M and $100M or more. Compensation is $130,000–$155,000, commensurate with experience, with executive scope, leadership authority, and compensation scaling with company revenue benchmarks. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, and holidays.

Requirements

• 5–10+ years of commercial general contractor estimating experience.
• Extensive hands-on expertise in ground-up construction; experience limited to tenant improvements or renovations is not sufficient.
• A verifiable list of completed commercial GC projects demonstrating range and depth in hard-bid and conceptual estimating.
• Deep understanding of conceptual budgeting, quantity takeoffs, market pricing trends, and commercial contract negotiations.
• Direct personal experience assembling complete project estimates for a commercial general contractor.
• Residential-only, single-trade subcontractor, or CM-agency/owner’s-representative backgrounds without direct GC estimating experience are not a fit.

Responsibilities

• Personally prepare comprehensive estimates for ground-up commercial projects.
• Lead and mentor junior estimating staff.
• Oversee preconstruction from initial pursuit through project turnover.
• Conduct constructability reviews and value engineering.
• Develop Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) estimates and negotiate technical contract terms.
• Build and refine department standards, unit-cost databases, and proposal templates.
• Cultivate relationships with regional trade partners.
• Interface directly with clients during project alignment and bidding.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Growth incentives, with executive scope, leadership authority, and compensation scaling with company revenue benchmarks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed