Company Overview Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Gilbert, Arizona. Bjerk Builders is a full-service commercial general contractor delivering general contracting, tenant improvements, design-build collaboration, preconstruction planning, job order contracting, and service and maintenance across Arizona. Under the leadership of CEO/Owner Nate Lowrie, the company operates on honest budgets, direct communication, and construction that holds up well past project completion — a culture it calls "Built Dffrnt." A key differentiator is Bjerk's in-house self-perform trades in framing, drywall, and electrical, giving greater control over quality, schedule, and cost. The company is currently a ~$50M-revenue contractor with a five-year plan to reach $150M+, making the build-out of a scalable Preconstruction and Estimating function central to that growth. Position Summary The Director of Preconstruction & Estimating leads all preconstruction, estimating, budgeting, and procurement planning functions for the company, owning the process from early client engagement through GMP/contract award — converting leads into predictable revenue growth and the highest build quality. This is a hands-on leadership role central to scaling the company from $50M to $150M+ in revenue over five years, requiring a leader who is extremely entrepreneurial, energizes both customers and the team, and stays ultra-resilient through the toughest challenges. The Director reports and works directly with ownership to maximize the company's network and connect it to the best work, partners closely with Business Development, Operations, Finance, and Executive Leadership, and remains personally involved in complex estimates and client-facing pursuits — building a best-in-class department that wins the right work at the right margins, not just overseeing one. Essential Responsibilities 1. Ensure the industry's best customer loyalty scores while maximizing our profit goals 2. Ensure all sales/estimating, build, and finance team members work together appropriately to achieve the company's goals 3. Identify, qualify, and win high-quality and high-profitability commercial construction projects 4. Support and collaborate with the CEO to ensure all teams and trade partners execute the organization's mission and strategies to exceed customer expectations 5. Drive organizational efficiencies to surpass the industry's best performance metrics 6. Ensure each job is set up to be ahead of schedule and below budget 7. Generate AIA contracts that protect the project and company Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership Own the Preconstruction and Estimating department's roadmap, staffing plan, and KPIs, aligned to the company's five-year revenue target Partner with Executive Leadership and the Director of Business Development on market sector strategy, target clients, and pursuit prioritization Represent Preconstruction in go/no-go decisions, providing risk, resource, and margin input Build scalable systems, templates, and workflows that support 2x+ revenue growth without proportional headcount growth Estimating & Preconstruction Execution Direct conceptual, schematic, design-development, GMP, negotiated, and hard-bid estimating Oversee full-cycle estimating: quantity takeoffs, subcontractor bid solicitation/leveling, value engineering, and GMP development Ensure consistent estimating methodologies, software, historical cost data, and unit cost benchmarking across all estimates Lead constructability reviews and coordinate with design teams, owners, and subcontractors during design phase Coordinate scheduling input during preconstruction (durations, phasing, logistics) with the Director of Operations Review and approve all major estimates before submission Team Leadership & Development Lead and develop a team including a Chief Estimator, Pre-Construction Manager, an Estimator on the GC side, two Estimators on the Electrical Self-Perform side, and two Estimators on the Framing & Drywall side Recruit, mentor, and build bench strength ahead of growth needs Establish clear roles, career paths, and performance standards within the department Foster a culture of accuracy, accountability, and deadline discipline Business Development & Client Relationships Lead client-facing presentations for major pursuits, interviews, and proposal efforts, working closely with the Director of Business Development Build and maintain relationships with owners, architects, engineers, and key subcontractors/vendors Work with the Marketing Consultant on qualification packages, RFP/RFQ responses, and interview preparation Risk, Process & Financial Accountability Standardize estimate review, contingency-setting, and hand-off procedures from Preconstruction to Operations Identify and mitigate cost, schedule, and scope risks before contract execution Monitor estimating accuracy, win rates, fee recovery, and backlog quality; report metrics to Executive Leadership Manage departmental budget and staffing plan Qualifications Required 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in commercial construction estimating and preconstruction, including 3-5+ years in a leadership role Demonstrated success on commercial projects ranging from $5M to $50M+, supporting a company with $50M+ in annual revenue Deep knowledge of estimating software (e.g., Sage, ProEst, Destini, On-Screen Takeoff, or similar) and construction cost data Strong understanding of GMP, design-build, negotiated, and CMAR delivery methods Demonstrated ability to build and scale a department/team through a period of company growth Excellent client-facing communication and executive presentation skills Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered Preferred Experience helping a general contractor scale from mid-market (~$50M) to a regional market leader ($100M+) Strong existing network of subcontractors, suppliers, architects, developers, and owners Experience implementing estimating technologies and process improvements; familiarity with BIM/VDC coordination Experience across multiple sectors: industrial, manufacturing, commercial, office, healthcare, education, multi-family, or municipal/public works Key Performance Indicators Estimate accuracy (estimate vs. actual), targeting within ±3-5% of final project cost Win rate and hit ratio on pursuits where Preconstruction is engaged Preconstruction cycle time (RFP to GMP/contract) and department capacity vs. pipeline volume Annual backlog growth and gross margin achievement versus estimate Subcontractor bid coverage ratio per trade and engagement Contribution toward the company's $150M+ revenue growth target Compensation & Benefits Expected base salary: $150,000-$185,000+ (market dependent) Annual performance bonus and profit-sharing program Long-term incentive compensation Vehicle allowance or company vehicle Health, dental, and vision benefits 401(k) with company match Paid time off Ideal Candidate Profile The ideal candidate is more than a chief estimator - they are a business builder who understands how preconstruction drives revenue growth, profitability, market positioning, and client retention. They have successfully led teams, built scalable systems, developed client relationships, and turned preconstruction into a strategic advantage that fuels company growth. This leader will be instrumental in helping Bjerk Builders reach its goal of becoming a $150+ million regional general contractor within five years while maintaining profitable operations and exceptional client service.

Pay:

$150,000.00 - $185,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person