Senior Estimator

Department: Preconstruction
Reports to: VP of Preconstruction
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Employment Type: Full-Time

Build What’s Next with GCON

Ready to lead complex project pursuits, influence how projects are built, and grow alongside a team that values new ideas? Join GCON as a Senior Estimator and help shape high-impact projects from the earliest concept through construction. You’ll have the opportunity to lead, mentor, collaborate with industry partners, and contribute to a company committed to innovation, professional development, and continuous improvement.

GCON Inc. is a Phoenix-based general contractor with a national presence and teams across Arizona, Texas, Oregon, New Mexico, and California. We are builders driven by innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Our values—Unconventional Thinking, Value Delivery, Set a New Standard, Continuous Improvement, and Stewardship—shape how we serve our clients, deliver projects, and invest in our people. We support professional growth through leadership development, career advancement opportunities, and a culture of inclusion and belonging.

The Opportunity

GCON is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead complex estimating and preconstruction efforts from early conceptual planning through project award and transition to construction. This technical leadership role is responsible for developing accurate budgets, evaluating project risk, preparing competitive proposals, and building strong relationships with clients, design teams, trade partners, and internal stakeholders.

The Senior Estimator will also mentor junior team members, strengthen estimating standards, and advance continuous improvement across the Preconstruction Department.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead estimating and preconstruction efforts from conceptual budgeting through final proposal submission.

• Prepare conceptual, schematic, design development, GMP, negotiated, and competitive hard-bid estimates.

• Develop pursuit strategies that align with client expectations, market conditions, and company objectives.

• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and cost analyses using historical cost data and current market intelligence.

• Develop project budgets, cost models, alternates, allowances, contingencies, escalation analyses, and value-engineering recommendations.

• Evaluate subcontractor proposals for scope completeness, pricing accuracy, qualifications, and commercial risk.

• Identify scope gaps, constructability concerns, schedule impacts, long-lead items, and project risks.

• Recommend practical risk-mitigation, procurement, logistics, sequencing, and phasing strategies.

• Lead estimate reviews, bid leveling, scope review meetings, executive presentations, and client interviews.

• Collaborate with Operations, Business Development, clients, design partners, consultants, subcontractors, and suppliers throughout the pursuit process.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with qualified trade partners and suppliers.

• Support the successful transition of awarded projects from Preconstruction to Operations.

• Mentor estimators and junior preconstruction professionals through coaching, technical guidance, and estimate reviews.

• Contribute to estimating standards, departmental procedures, lessons learned, and continuous-improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Ten or more years of commercial construction estimating or preconstruction experience.

• Demonstrated experience independently leading complex project pursuits with minimal supervision.

• Experience preparing negotiated GMP, CM/GC, Design-Build, and competitive hard-bid estimates.

• Advanced knowledge of commercial construction means and methods.

• Strong understanding of conceptual estimating, cost modeling, budgeting, quantity takeoffs, value engineering, and risk analysis.

• Thorough understanding of construction drawings, specifications, CSI MasterFormat, constructability, and project delivery methods.

• Ability to manage multiple concurrent pursuits while maintaining accuracy, organization, and attention to detail.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.

• Ability to lead estimate reviews and facilitate collaborative decision-making across multiple stakeholder groups.

Required Technology Qualifications

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including:

  • Complex formulas

  • Pivot tables

  • Cost modeling

  • Data analysis

  • Estimate development

• Advanced knowledge with at least one commercial construction estimating platform.

• Advanced knowledge with digital quantity takeoff, drawing review, and document markup tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• General contractor estimating or preconstruction experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related discipline; equivalent field experience will also be considered.

• Experience with commercial, industrial, mission-critical, healthcare, higher education, or similarly complex construction projects.

• Experience developing procurement strategies for long-lead materials and critical scopes.

• Previous experience mentoring or developing estimators and junior preconstruction professionals.

A successful Senior Estimator at GCON will:

• Lead complex pursuits confidently and independently.

• Deliver accurate, competitive, and well-organized estimates.

• Identify project risks early and communicate practical solutions.

• Build trusted relationships with clients, design partners, trade partners, and internal teams.

• Mentor and develop junior preconstruction professionals.

• Improve estimating processes, standards, and best practices.

• Support seamless project transitions from pursuit through construction.

• Contribute to a collaborative culture centered on quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.