Director of Estimating Operations

About the Opportunity

Starts Align is partnered with a well-established HVAC mechanical contractor on Long Island that is seeking a Director of Estimating Operations to join its leadership team in Woodbury, NY.

This is a highly visible leadership position within a growing organization that has built a strong reputation throughout the New York market. The company is seeking an individual who can elevate the estimating function through stronger leadership, accountability, process improvement, and operational structure.

This is not simply a search for another estimator.

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of commercial HVAC estimating expertise, people leadership, operational management, and process-driven thinking. While estimating knowledge is important, the primary objective of this role is to lead and develop the department, improve communication and workflows, establish accountability, and create a scalable structure that supports future growth.

Position Overview

The Director of Estimating Operations will be responsible for leading the estimating department, managing team performance, improving processes, and ensuring consistency across all estimating activities.

This role is:

• Management-heavy

• Process-heavy

• Accountability-heavy

• Operationally driven

This is not a bid production role. The successful candidate will be responsible for building structure, creating visibility, managing priorities, mentoring team members, and driving continuous improvement throughout the department.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop the estimating team

• Establish accountability and performance expectations across the department

• Manage workload distribution, priorities, and resource planning

• Conduct regular estimating meetings and performance reviews

• Support hiring, onboarding, and development of future estimating staff

• Create a culture focused on ownership, communication, and continuous improvement

Estimating Operations & Process Improvement

• Develop and implement estimating SOPs, workflows, and best practices

• Standardize estimating procedures, templates, reporting, and documentation

• Build systems that improve efficiency, consistency, and visibility

• Implement KPI tracking and departmental reporting metrics

• Improve bid tracking, proposal follow-up, and forecasting processes

• Identify operational inefficiencies and implement solutions

Estimating Oversight

• Oversee bid flow and departmental priorities

• Review estimates for accuracy, completeness, and consistency

• Support design-build and plan/spec opportunities

• Participate in bid strategy discussions and major pursuits

• Ensure proper review of plans, specifications, subcontractor pricing, and scope requirements

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Improve communication between estimating, operations, and project management

• Strengthen turnover processes from estimating to operations following project award

• Collaborate with company leadership on strategic initiatives and growth plans

• Support business development efforts through relationship-building and client interaction when appropriate

Desired Background:

Industry Experience

• Commercial HVAC estimating experience required

• Mechanical contracting experience strongly preferred

Design-build and plan/spec estimating experience

• Familiarity with NYC and Long Island construction markets

• Experience working within union labor environments

• Experience managing subcontractor and vendor relationships

Leadership Experience

• Prior experience managing estimators or estimating teams

• Experience building department structure and operational processes

• Demonstrated success implementing SOPs, workflows, and accountability systems

• Strong operational and strategic mindset

• Experience driving performance across both people and processes

What Success Looks Like

The individual hired into this role will help create:

• Greater accountability throughout the estimating department

Improved communication between estimating and operations

• Better visibility into workload, forecasting, and pipeline activity

• Stronger estimating processes and standards

• Enhanced reporting and KPI tracking

• A scalable department capable of supporting continued company growth

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be:

• Organized and structured

• Process-oriented

• Highly accountable

• A strong communicator

• Proactive and solutions-focused

• Comfortable managing multiple personalities and priorities

• Collaborative but capable of making difficult decisions

• Focused on building systems, structure, and long-term operational excellence

What We Are Not Looking For

• Individuals who only want to focus on producing estimates

• Candidates resistant to process improvement or accountability

• Highly reactive or disorganized personalities

• Individuals lacking leadership or management experience

• Candidates unable to collaborate effectively with operations and project management teams

Compensation

• Base Salary: $150,000 - $185,000+ (based off experience)

• Performance Bonus

• Profit Sharing

• Comprehensive Benefits Package

• 401(k) with Company Match

• Long-Term Leadership Growth Opportunity

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to join a respected Long Island mechanical contractor in a highly visible leadership role where you'll have the ability to shape the future of the estimating department, implement meaningful operational improvements, develop team members, and directly influence the company's continued growth and success.