Chief Estimator

Summary:

The Chief Estimator is responsible for leading the company's estimating program, providing both technical and administrative direction to ensure corporate objectives are met. This role encompasses managing the estimating department's functions, including operating budgets, staffing, and work assignments, while also playing a crucial role in project bidding and strategy development.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee the estimating department's operations, including budget management, staffing decisions, wage reviews, and performance evaluations.
• Collaborate with corporate and project management to identify bidding opportunities, define strategies, and select techniques for project bids.
• Prepare and manage the bid schedule, tracking projects for estimate and proposal preparation from various sources.
• Schedule and lead bid review meetings, assessing project risks and establishing base wage rates for all estimates and proposals.
• Develop Scope of Work packages for construction subcontractors and vendors in coordination with the Project Controls Manager and/or Operations Support Manager.
• Maintain a comprehensive subcontractor and vendor database, fostering positive relationships with these partners.
• Evaluate project requirements for DBE, Small Business, MBE/WBE participation, ensuring compliance with good faith efforts and other regulations.
• Review bid forms for completeness and accuracy, including the analysis of General and Special/Supplemental Conditions to appropriately assign costs.
• Coordinate scope reviews with the project management team, ensuring project schedule requirements are fully understood.
• Assign allowances and contingencies to estimates and cost proposals, reviewing and adjusting final estimate packages for accuracy before submission.
• Participate in presentations to corporate management and clients, potentially being responsible for closing sales.
• Conduct post-proposal activities, securely archiving all original cost proposal documents and organizing material for the project execution team.
• Establish and maintain a historical cost database, tracking "hit rates" and other metrics to inform future bidding strategies.
• Provide technical assistance in negotiating contracts and change orders, and may assist in the preparation of studies, materials, methods, and cost estimates as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Form bid teams, assign work, and monitor the progress of estimates and cost proposals.
• Assign attendees for pre-bid meetings and mentor estimating staff, conducting performance reviews in conjunction with the Operations Manager and/or Chief Operations Officer.
• Develop and implement training programs for junior estimators, enhancing their skills and knowledge.

Requirements:

• Exceptional organizational, supervisory, and decision-making skills, capable of efficiently handling multiple priorities.
• Deep knowledge of construction and design principles, including extensive estimating experience, construction planning, and innovative problem-solving techniques.
• A thorough understanding of corporate and industry practices, processes, standards, and their impact on estimating strategies and techniques, as well as construction contracts.

Education and Experience:

• A four-year engineering degree or an equivalent combination of technical training and experience, with advanced management or technical training preferred.
• Extensive experience (10 or more years) in construction estimating and related functions, along with a thorough knowledge of corporate objectives impacting estimating, strategies, techniques, and construction contracts.
• Must possess excellent organizational, supervisory, and decision-making/problem-solving skills.