Preconstruction/Estimating Manager - High End Residential

Bulley & Andrews•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Bulley & Andrews is seeking a Preconstruction/Estimating Manager for high-end residential construction. The role supports the bidding of construction projects by preparing conceptual and hard-dollar estimates, proposals for current and new projects, and soliciting subcontractor bids. The manager reviews project documents for accuracy and completeness and performs quantity take-offs, constructability reviews, and value-engineering analyses. The position will contribute to departmental initiatives and improvements, ensure project objectives are met within prescribed cost parameters and time frames, and work across the business, with a primary focus on estimating and management for the Orchard Project. The manager works closely with senior leadership and project teams to prepare bid proposals, assemble estimates for owner presentation, coordinate subcontractor scopes, and support field operations with change-order pricing. The role also supervises and mentors estimators and project staff, maintains estimating records and historical unit-price data, and helps ensure a smooth handoff of estimating and bidding information to project management.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field, and/or more than 3 years of experience with high-end luxury residential projects.
At least 3 years of estimating experience within a construction organization.
Conceptual ability to work with minimal information.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to perform mathematical calculations and proficient data-entry skills.
Strong estimating computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Excel, estimating database software, and Onscreen Takeoff.
Full understanding of general contracting bidding requirements.
Experience attending preconstruction meetings.
Excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing people, including hiring, evaluation, and coaching; preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Work with senior leadership and project teams to prepare accurate bid proposals.
Assist with final assembly of estimates for presentation to the owner.
Solicit subcontractors during bidding, work through qualifications, and develop detailed scopes for subcontractor and self-perform work.
Estimate self-perform carpentry and track its costs during the work, including developing change orders.
Assist field operations with change-order pricing.
Review construction documents for value engineering as directed by the Project Executive.
Prepare and price value-engineering items as directed by the Project Executive.
Supervise estimating and assist with training estimators and/or project engineers in the estimating process.
Maintain master subcontractor and vendor lists by trade and solicit additional capable subcontractors.
Provide technical assistance to project managers in negotiating contracts and change orders.
Ensure a smooth handoff of estimates, bidding information, drawings, and specifications to project management, unless the scope of work, such as carpentry, is being managed.
Ensure proper internal controls and maintain and develop historical estimating records for all entities.
Maintain and develop historical unit-price data.
Perform quantity take-offs to develop in-house budgets for comparison with subcontractor bids.
Develop General Conditions for review with senior management and the project team.
Mentor project managers, assistant project managers, project engineers, and others.