Project Manager and Estimator

PROJECT MANAGER & ESTIMATOR JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Project Manager & Estimator

Location: In-person | Seattle, WA

Job Type: Full-time, Salaried (Exempt)

Approximate Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday

Reports To: Operations Manager / Branch Manager

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Founded in 2005, Columbia Fire is a Seattle-based, union-affiliated fire protection company specializing in fire sprinkler inspection, testing, maintenance, and service. Now employing 60 team members with over $20M in annual revenue, we are growing rapidly with strategic investment support. Our mission is to expand both organically and through acquisition into new regions and additional services—fire alarm, extinguishers, clean agent special hazards, low voltage systems, and monitoring. Our future footprint includes WA, OR, MT, ID, UT, and NV.

We’re building an infrastructure of excellence—defined processes, scalable systems, and a team that delivers on our promise. If you’re driven to lead projects that protect lives and property, we want to hear from you.

OUR CORE VALUES

• Customer Centricity – Every decision considers the customer first.
• Effective Communication – Clear, proactive, and responsive at every stage.
• Consistency – We deliver what we promise, when we promise it.
• Initiative – Empowered to take ownership and drive improvement.
• Trustworthiness – We act with integrity, accountability, and respect.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Project Manager is responsible for the planning, execution, and completion of fire sprinkler system projects—on time, on budget, and in compliance with applicable codes and company standards. This role serves as a key liaison between the customer, internal departments, and field operations, ensuring every project meets Columbia Fire’s standards of excellence in quality, safety, and client satisfaction.

POSITION TYPE & WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is an in-person position requiring regular attendance at our Seattle office, field visits to job sites, and in-person collaboration with customers, designers, and installation teams. This role is not eligible for remote work.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Planning & Execution

• Lead projects from kickoff through closeout, managing timelines, resources, and deliverables.
• Develop and track project schedules, budgets, and manpower needs.
• Coordinate with internal design, purchasing, and field operations teams.
• Review and approve project setups in Acumatica (cost/revenue).

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned projects.
• Set expectations early through proactive communication with customers and AHJs.
• Conduct handoff meetings and regular status updates with all stakeholders.
• Ensure exceptional client satisfaction through responsiveness and follow-through.

Team Leadership

• Collaborate with superintendents, foremen, and installers to execute work in the field.
• Participate in handoffs with design and sales, and support field team success.
• Conduct project walks, create punch lists, and ensure completion of documentation.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all work complies with NFPA standards, local fire codes, and OSHA safety regulations.
• Conduct site audits and verify safety protocols are followed.

Budget Management & Cost Control

• Monitor project financials, identify variances, and forecast cost-to-complete (CTC).
• Approve material purchases within budget; prepare and manage change orders.
• Assist with billing, collections, and maintaining accurate SOVs.

Quality Assurance

• Lead submittal and approval processes with customers and AHJs.
• Oversee quality inspections, O&M trainings, and warranty documentation as required.
• Ensure all deliverables meet or exceed customer expectations.

DAILY STANDARD WORK / OWNERSHIP TASKS

• Approve job in system (budgeted cost/revenue)
• Conduct internal kickoff (Designer, Sales, Design Manager)
• Introduce yourself to the customer and confirm their schedule
• Communicate timeline to design team
• Submit for approval to AHJ and customer
• Send PO and materials list to purchasing within budget
• Field handoff to Superintendent (and Foreman if applicable)
• Determine flush/hydro responsibilities
• Conduct cost-to-complete budget reviews in Acumatica
• Perform job walks and create punch lists
• Prepare and submit change orders
• Schedule O&M training and submit warranty letter if needed
• Participate in and lead closeout and after-action reviews

ESTIMATING

Although this role is primarily focused on project management, up to one-third (1/3) of your time may be spent in an estimating capacity. Responsibilities related to estimating include:

• Reviewing bid invitations, drawings, and specifications to determine project scope.
• Performing material and labor takeoffs using plans and specifications.
• Survey local jobsite conditions for remote estimator(s) and collaborate with them as needed
• Coordinating with vendors and subcontractors to obtain accurate pricing.
• Preparing detailed estimates, budgets, and proposals for fire sprinkler projects.
• Participating in pre-bid meetings and job walks, as needed.
• Collaborating with sales and design teams to develop competitive and accurate bids.
• Ensuring a smooth handoff of awarded jobs to the project management and field teams.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred. Equivalent experience will be considered.
• Experience:
• • Minimum 2 years in fire protection project management
  • 7 years total industry experience (as a fitter, designer, or PM)
• Knowledge of:
• • NFPA standards, local fire codes, and industry best practices
  • Construction project lifecycles and job costing
• Software Proficiency:
• • Project management and ERP systems (e.g., Acumatica, Procore, MS Project, Primavera)
• Skills:
• • Strong written and verbal communication
  • Team leadership and personnel management
  • Conflict resolution and customer relationship management
  • Budgeting and cost control

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Ensures Accountability – Owns results and follows through
• Communicates Effectively – Adapts messaging for different audiences
• Manages Complexity – Analyzes information to make sound decisions
• Plans and Aligns – Prioritizes and sequences work to meet goals
• Tech-Savvy – Leverages digital tools to drive outcomes

LEGAL NOTICE & EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION

This is a salaried, exempt position under the FLSA. While overtime pay does not apply, time tracking is required for internal job costing and scheduling purposes. Employment at Columbia Fire is at-will and may be terminated by either party at any time, with or without cause or notice, consistent with applicable law.