Estimating Manager at Spyder Management – Dana Point, California

Spyder Construction is a full-service general contractor specializing in large loss insurance restoration, structural repairs, capital improvement, and roofing projects for commercial and multi-family properties. We are committed to excellence and providing first-class service to every client on every project through clear communication, dedicated projected management, and the experience of our team.

Don't see a position matching your skills and background? Keep an eye out on this website for future openings, as we are constantly evaluating our needs!

This is not a senior estimator position. This is a founding leadership role.

Spyder Construction is building its Estimating department, and we're looking for the person who will design it, run it, and grow it. You'll own everything between a qualified sales opportunity and a production-ready contract — intake triage, subcontractor procurement, proposal production, scope development, and production handoff. In the near term, you'll be hands-on doing the work while simultaneously building the systems. As the department scales, those functions transfer to a team you'll hire and develop.

If you've spent your career working inside estimating departments and you're ready to build one, this role was written for you.

Estimating Operations Design and enforce the intake triage process. Manage bid workflow, workload, and deadlines across simultaneous active bids. Perform quality review on every estimate before submission. Personally estimate complex projects ($250K+) and high-priority competitive bids. Build and maintain the unit cost database by vertical, trade, and geography.

Subcontractor Procurement Build a centralized prequalified sub database with performance ratings and insurance compliance tracking. Distribute standardized bid packages and negotiate volume-based pricing agreements with high-frequency trades. Create a competitive sub bid environment where subs submit firm pricing upfront, not inflated bids they expect to negotiate down post-award.

Proposal Production Develop differentiated proposal templates by vertical (capital improvement, insurance repair, reconstruction, roofing, environmental). Proposals on bids over $100K include project approach narratives, preliminary schedules, team qualifications, and scope clarifications.

Scope Development & Gap Analysis Build standardized scope checklists by vertical and job type. Perform scope risk assessments on all competitive bids. Maintain a scope gap log to continuously improve estimating accuracy using data from completed projects.

Production Handoff Design and implement a standardized production handoff package for every awarded project. No project mobilizes without complete scope, sub pricing, schedule assumptions, site logistics, permit status, and a risk register. Conduct handoff meetings with Project Managers on projects over $250K.

Department Leadership Directly manage and develop the estimating team. Establish department KPIs: win rate, estimating accuracy, bid-to-award cycle time, and throughput. Report weekly to the VP of Sales. Build the hiring plan for department growth including Senior Estimator, Proposal Manager, Sub Procurement Coordinator, Supplement Specialist, and Estimating Coordinator roles.

• 8+ years of estimating experience in commercial insurance restoration, reconstruction, or insurance repair — specifically commercial and multifamily building envelope, roofing, and multi-trade interior scopes
• Demonstrated ability to estimate across multiple trades, including self-developed scope from field documentation (photos, field notes, project director reports) and plan-based competitive bids — must proactively identify and flag missing information before estimating
• Experience managing subcontractor relationships, bid solicitation, and buyout negotiation
• Proficiency with estimating software (PlanSwift, Bluebeam, On-Screen Takeoff, or equivalent)
• Experience managing at least 2–3 estimators or direct reports in a restoration or insurance repair environment
• Proven ability to build systems from scratch — this is a department buildout, not a maintenance role
• Xactimate Certified Professional (XCP Level 2 or higher) or equivalent demonstrated experience with carrier-accepted estimates
• Experience building or managing an estimating department in commercial restoration, not just working inside one, strongly preferred
• Carrier acceptance rate above 85% on first submission required — full scope acceptance without negotiation, not just arriving at an agreed number after revision

• Base Salary: $150,000 – $165,000
• Performance Bonus tied to department KPIs
• Full health coverage: medical, dental, and vision
• Company-paid life insurance
• 401(k) with 4% company match
• Generous PTO and sick leave
• Accident and critical illness insurance options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)