Job Title: Chief Estimator

Location: Houston, TX

Job Description: The Chief Estimator is responsible for supporting the development and growth of operations. The Chief Estimator will have strong knowledge of the construction industry and estimating processes and work with other estimating team members and corporate leaders to set regional estimating goals and policies. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in heavy civil, DOT/municipal, heavy earthworks, and underground utilities within both the public and private sectors. The Chief Estimator will review potential bid opportunities, project plans, requirements, and specifications and will assist in organizing and supervising a team of junior estimators or take-off engineers to perform analysis, quantity take-offs, pricing, and bidding of projects.

The ideal candidate could have 10+ years of construction experience with 8+ years of estimating experience in common work disciplines such as heavy/highway or municipal infrastructure, public and private earthwork, and sewer, water, and drainage utilities.

Core Responsibilities:

• Consistently monitors and evaluates industry-wide bid announcement publications and client or customer requests for estimates and prepares potential project information for team member review and final selection to pursue.

• Meets with clients to assess the expectations and objectives of the project and build a scope of work, comprehensive budget, field observation reports, deliverables, and preliminary job schedule.

• Assists with developing and implementing new bid and backlog strategies, performing basic risk analysis, and bid alternatives.

• Performs and/or manages quantity take-offs.

• Performs and/or manages the quantity survey, take-off reports and presentations, and pricing effort for internal reviews and budgets.

• Prepares or reviews project plans and specifications and coordinates with the estimating team to confirm complete scope.

• Prepares or reviews general conditions, schedule, scopes of work, site logistics, and other exhibits as prepared.

• Reviews constructability issues and any resource allocation constraints with operational staff to identify project procurement or execution feasibility.

• Attends or coordinates attendance at client pre-bid meetings, job showings, and job site visits.

• Maintains detailed notes and records of all information disseminated by the client or project representatives during pre-bid meetings and job showings.

• Determines and evaluates alternative project execution approaches based on the scope of work and the most efficient and cost-effective execution methods available.

• Leads or participates in bid reviews.

• Responsible for subcontractor identification, acquisition, scope verifications, and negotiation.

• Maintains and communicates data on construction and material cost trends or updates affecting project costs.

• Proficient knowledge of estimating software (HCSS or Agtek preferred).

• Acts as the client's primary point of contact managing estimating expectations and requests.

• Maintains lines of communication between company departments, project and operation managers, and client with regards to cost estimating activities.

• Be flexible and ready to address changes in scope and troubleshoot issues that arise.

• Be articulate, communicative, and professional with excellent verbal and written communication skills when working with project team, management, vendors, subcontractors, and clients.

• Builds effective relationships with potential and existing customers, design teams, specialty contractors, suppliers, and internal groups that reflect and support company core values and meets or exceeds the customer's expectations.

• Performs other related duties as needed.

• Assists project and operational teams on successful or awarded proposals as follows:

  • Participate or coordinate in the transfer of estimate information on successful project pursuits including the project hand-off meeting.

  • Assist in the preparation and review of work plans as requested.

  • Participate in periodic reviews and visits to projects as appropriate.

  • Pricing of change impacts as required.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Chief or Senior Estimator.

• Experience estimating projects more than $50 million.

• Experience estimating heavy civil projects such as highway and municipal roadway components, mass excavation and grading projects, residential or commercial sites, and small or large diameter sewer, water, or drainage utility projects.

• Proficient knowledge of estimating software (HCSS or Agtek preferred).

• Possess strong mathematical and computer skills. Proficiency with all MS Office products (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint).

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Prioritize workload and consistently meet deadlines while constantly changing tasks and demands.

• Candidates must possess a strong work ethic.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

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The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance