Description

About NAVIGATE

NAVIGATE Building Solutions is a Mid-West based owner's representative and construction management advisor firm. Since 2016, NAVIGATE has delivered 500+ projects across K-12, higher education, local government, federal, senior living, and cultural facilities with a consistent track record of finishing ahead of schedule and under budget. With a combined team experience of 35+ years and a 43% diverse workforce, the team is growing steadily and the people joining now are being positioned to lead this company for years to come.

 
Role Description

This is a full-time Director of Estimating role based out of our St. Louis or Kansas City office, with flexibility for remote work that supports real work-life balance. You will serve as a collaborative leader working alongside NAVIGATE team members to conceptualize and provide initial budgets for a wide range of projects. During project implementation you will both generate and oversee the development of detailed estimates through the Design Development phase of project delivery. 

This is not a hard-bid-only role. We are looking for a conceptual estimator who can help owners understand what's possible before the design processes.

 
Key Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual, schematic, and detailed cost estimates through the Design Development phases of project delivery
• Translate early design concepts into reliable budget frameworks for owners and internal teams
• Perform quantity takeoffs and apply current market pricing across multiple delivery methods
• Collaborate with project managers and clients to align scope, schedule, and budget throughout preconstruction and design

Future Opportunities:

• Grow estimating department to support new market launches.
• If desired, participate in client facing presentations and estimate reconciliations.
• Grow and oversee small estimating team

Requirements

Qualifications 

• 5-25 years of commercial construction estimating experience
• Strong conceptual estimating ability, experience developing budgets from programming, schematic, or design development documents is required 
• Proficiency in quantity takeoff, unit cost estimating, and cost modeling
• Familiarity with Design-Bid-Build, CMAR, and Design-Build delivery methods
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and solutions-driven with a collaborative leadership style

Preferred Qualifications 

• Familiarity with bond-funded and taxpayer-funded project environments
• Proficiency in estimating software and platforms like Procore or Autodesk Construction Cloud
• Experience with K-12, higher education, municipal, or publicly funded capital programs

Why NAVIGATE 

• Above-market base salary commensurate with experience ($200k-$300k total package)
• Discretionary annual performance bonus
• Monthly car and phone allowances
• Mileage reimbursement as needed  
• Flexible work environment; remote options and work-life balance are genuinely prioritized, not just promised
• Office presence in St. Louis or Kansas City with flexibility built in
• Strong mentorship and training from a team that invests in your growth
• Rapid advancement in a fast-growing firm, you don't have to wait for someone above you to move on
• A team culture where people genuinely enjoy the work, believe in the mission, and feel supported by leadership that truly cares

If this sounds like the right fit, apply or reach out directly. We move quickly and aim to provide feedback within 24-48 hours.