Chief Estimator

Thornton Construction Company•Opa-locka, FL

About The Position

Thornton Construction is a Miami-headquartered construction management firm with more than 25 years of experience delivering institutional, commercial, and residential construction and renovation projects. The Chief Estimator oversees preconstruction estimating for a diverse pipeline of ground-up and renovation projects, ensuring accurate, competitive estimates that support project bids and proposals and align with company financial goals. The role leads preconstruction and estimating staff, manages workloads and deadlines, develops cost models and cost-history resources, and coordinates with operations, project managers, clients, owners, architects, and subcontractors. It also contributes to process improvements, risk management, relationship development, and the profitability and competitiveness of the company. The Chief Estimator reports to the Executive Vice President and has an Estimator Coordinator as a direct report. The position is classified as exempt.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
At least 15 years of estimating experience.
At least 5 years of experience as a Preconstruction Director or Chief Estimator in a general contractor setting.
Experience supervising teams of at least eight members.
Strong cost estimating and analysis skills across conceptual, schematic, design, and construction stages.
Expertise in RFP/Q preparation and analysis.
Knowledge of construction methods, purchasing, negotiations, presentations, and personnel management.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and Outlook, and estimation software platforms such as Timberline and On-Screen Takeoff; familiarity with BIM is also referenced.
Strong work ethic, professionalism, organizational and time-management abilities, and capacity to manage multiple projects and tasks.
Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively and foster teamwork.
Ability to work efficiently, with minimal direction, and demonstrate initiative, urgency, follow-up, ownership, and problem-solving skills.
Understanding of how market conditions influence pricing.
Alignment with Thornton’s stated core values: Safety, Community, Empowerment, Quality and Service, Professionalism, and Accountability.

Nice To Haves

Experience with GMP and CMAR contracting models.

Responsibilities

Oversee preconstruction project flow and scope for diverse ground-up and renovation projects.
Lead preconstruction and estimating staff in preparing detailed estimates across conceptual, schematic, design, construction, and GMP phases.
Manage personal and subordinate workloads and schedules to meet project deadlines.
Prepare and analyze cost models during preconstruction and bidding.
Assemble General Conditions in collaboration with the operations team.
Develop and maintain a cost-history database to support budgets and estimates.
Monitor industry trends, technology, construction methods, costs, and building codes; pursue process improvements using progressive practices such as Lean, VDC, and IPD in collaboration with operations teams.
Cultivate relationships with owners, architects, and subcontractors to support project pursuits.
Develop and ensure adherence to company policies and procedures, including estimating policies.
Participate in meetings with stakeholders and communicate professionally with colleagues, clients, and project partners.
Hire and actively develop preconstruction and estimating staff.
Prepare competitive bids and proposals; perform project qualification, solicitation, and pricing efforts for estimating department projects.
Identify and mitigate risks during preconstruction and bidding, and review owner contracts for cost implications and risks.
Manage the standardization, organization, distribution, and documentation of preconstruction correspondence and information.
Participate in industry, client, and community relations to enhance the company’s image.