Director of Estimating

The Director of Estimating oversees and manages the estimating department. Direct reports are Estimator III, Estimating Manager, and Bid Coordinator Manager. This role oversees and manages all company bids and is the liaison between the Estimating and Construction Management teams.

Apply if you:

• Bring a cooperative spirit to your team and neighboring department.

• Have an understanding that through your contributions, you aid in the overall Company’s success.

• Pursue continuous efforts to see beyond current business modes and methods.

• Embody an understanding that as a committed team member, tenure with an organization is achievable.

• Bring your whole self to work. Applying your knowledge, skills, and abilities ensures that every task you perform is performed at the highest level.

Job Description:

Cirks Construction Inc. (CCI), dba KDC Construction is a leader in the construction industry with diverse individuals dedicated to our people, customers, projects, and community. We are maintaining a strong focus on building a culture that encourages our employees to grow personally and professionally. KDC is also a proud recipient of the Top Workplaces 2022, 2023 and 2024, presented by the Orange County Register.

Striving to be the leader in construction and facilities services by exceeding customer expectations begins with each employee. Through the individual contributions of our employees, we can support our core values.  To help us accomplish this goal, we ask you to SMILE.

Synergy – Divisions of the company, while independently functional, cooperate toward mutual success and stability through shared resources.

Marketing – Focused market expertise and strategic growth that ensure consistency, reliability, and superior client outcomes.

Innovation – Opportunities and solutions that enhance performance, safety, reliability, and client value, while supporting new and expanded business ventures.

Longevity – Long-term financial stability – Consistent 12-month business cycle.

Excellence – Unquestioned market leadership, Unsurpassed Quality, and Timeliness. Motivating work environment; employee professional growth and personal advancement.

Essential Job Functions
1.    Lead and manage the estimating and bid coordination department to ensure alignment with company revenue, profitability, and operational goals.
2.    Directly oversee the Estimating Manager, Senior Estimators, and Bid Coordinator Manager.
3.    Establish and implement standardized estimating and bid coordination workflows to improve scalability, accuracy, and efficiency.
4.    Manage the estimating department as a business unit, including staffing plans, operational efficiency, and departmental OPEX performance.
5.    Analyze departmental KPIs including hit rates, estimate accuracy, cost-per-bid, backlog quality, estimator utilization, and resource allocation.
6.    Develop and execute go/no-go pursuit strategies aligned with company growth objectives and market conditions.
7.    Provide executive oversight on major pursuits, conceptual estimates, negotiated work, and high-risk opportunities.
8.    Lead pricing strategy, value engineering efforts, and risk analysis to maximize competitiveness and profitability.
9.    Own and develop the company’s subcontractor engagement strategy to strengthen trade relationships, bid coverage, and pricing competitiveness.
10.    Maintain strategic relationships with key subcontractors, vendors, and industry partners within core markets.
11.    Partner with Operations and Project Management teams to evaluate subcontractor performance and improve long-term trade partnerships.
12.    Oversee implementation of systems and technologies that improve estimating efficiency, reporting, and data management.
13.    Mentor and develop estimating personnel while creating succession plans and career path opportunities within the department.
14.    Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
15.    Ensure all estimating activities comply with company standards, safety requirements, and contractual obligations.
16.    Other duties as assigned.

Education, Experience, and Skills 
1.    Minimum 15 years of progressive estimating and preconstruction experience within commercial construction, including Retail, Grocery, QSR / Restaurant, Ground-Up, Tenant Improvement, and Remodel projects. 
2.    Minimum 8 years of leadership experience managing estimating or preconstruction teams within a high-volume commercial construction environment. 
3.    Proven experience leading estimating operations for a company with multiple concurrent pursuits and aggressive growth objectives. 
4.    Demonstrated ability to manage departmental performance through KPIs, forecasting, workload planning, staffing strategies, and operational budgeting (OPEX). 
5.    Strong understanding of subcontractor markets, procurement strategy, relationship management, and trade partner development. 
6.    Executive-level communication and leadership skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with ownership, operations, project management, clients, architects, engineers, vendors, and subcontractors. 
7.    Demonstrated ability to build, mentor, and develop high-performing estimating teams while fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. 
8.    Strong business acumen with the ability to evaluate risk, support strategic pursuit decisions, and align estimating resources with company revenue and profitability goals. 
9.    Advanced organizational, analytical, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 
10.    Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Bluebeam, BidMail, and construction estimating software platforms. Experience with estimating analytics, reporting tools, and process automation preferred. 
11.    Ability to identify operational challenges, develop scalable solutions, and drive process improvement initiatives across the department. 
12.    High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or related field preferred. 
13.    Must possess or be able to obtain a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and reliable transportation.

KDC offers a competitive salary/hourly range $156,275 to $195,344 per year - while considering the candidate’s experience and a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees:

• Medical insurance
• Dental HMO and PPO insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life/AD&D insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts – Unreimbursed Medical and Dependent Care
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Vacation and Sick Time
• Holidays

KDC is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.