Chief Estimator

This job was posted by https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov : For more information, please see: https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov/jobs/13855660 NOTE: The Chief Estimator is required to have a Mechanical Engineering degree with 10+ years of estimating, bidding, and sales experience, in the commercial/industrial HVAC arena. Must have experience working with sheet metal/ducts, pipes, controls, balancing, commissioning, insulation, and service.\ \ Company Overview\ Admiral Heating has been a trusted leader in commercial and industrial HVAC solutions in the Chicagoland area for over 70 years. Specializing in union construction projects and service work, we partner with contractors, developers, and building owners to deliver custom engineered heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions. Our reputation is built on quality workmanship, deep industry relationships, and a commitment to long-term customer success.\ \ Admiral Heating operates on the EOS (Entrepreneur Operating System). We exemplify our Core Values: Safety and Quality First, Intensely Diligent, Own It, Innovative Approach, Humbly Proud, and Exceed Expectations, and require adherence of every employee.\ \ Position Overview\ The Chief Estimator is responsible for leading, managing and holding accountable a team of estimators who together are responsible for estimating approximately \$400 million of HVAC projects including tenant improvement and design build including Sheetmetal, Piping and Commissioning. The Chief Estimator will work closely with the sales team on tracking and completing all bids in a timely manner while also working closely with the operations team on handing off projects awarded. Job Duties and Responsibilities: - Lead and oversee the estimating function, setting priorities, review standards, and bid governance from opportunity evaluation through final submission and turnover. - Direct estimating strategy for complex, large-scale pursuits, ensuring alignment with company growth objectives, risk tolerance, and margin expectations. - Provide executive oversight of estimate quality, pricing assumptions, and commercial alignment across labor, materials, equipment, subcontractor, and freight components. - Lead the implementation, optimization, and adoption of estimating systems, tools, databases, and workflows to improve consistency, efficiency, and reporting. - Establish bid strategy, identify project risks and opportunities, and recommend pricing approaches that align with company goals. - Partner with executive leadership, operations, procurement, project management, and business development to align estimating priorities with operational capacity and market strategy. - Develop and maintain estimating standards, templates, cost databases, and historical pricing information. - Solicit and evaluate vendor and subcontractor quotations, negotiate where appropriate, and ensure scope completeness. - HeavyBid experience is highly desirable, particularly to support leadership visibility into estimating workflows, data quality, and reporting consistency. - Manage, mentor, and develop estimators, including workload allocation, quality review, coaching, and performance support. - Support customer and contractor outreach before and after bid, including scope reviews, value engineering discussions, and handoff meetings. - Provide management with regular updates on bid volume, hit rates, market conditions, competitive activity, and department performance. - Maintain accurate and up to date information in the CRM, SalesForce - Participate in client meetings, trade shows, and industry events as needed. Qualifications, Competencies, & Abilities: Bachelors degree in construction management, engineering, business, or related field. 10+ years of estimatin experience, with increasing responsibility in construction, specialty contracting, traffic control, or related industries. 3+ years of direct personnel supervision. Demonstrated experience leading estimates for complex, large-scale projects with multiple stakeholders, tight deadlines, and significant operational scope. Proven experience implementing, improving, or leading adoption of estimating systems, software, or process workflows. Previous experience managing, mentoring, and developing other estimators or preconstruction team members. Strong knowledge of reading plans, specifications, bid documents, and contract requirements. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite or related estimating software. Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail. Ability to prioritize multiple deadlines and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment. Strong verbal and written communication skills, including proposal writing and executive-level presentation ability. Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with internal stakeholders and external partners. Structure and content of the English