Chief Estimator-Heavy Civil

About the Company

Our client is a 100% employee-owned, nationally recognized heavy civil contractor with a long-standing reputation for delivering complex infrastructure and transportation projects across the United States. As an employee-owned organization, every team member has a vested interest in the company's success and takes pride in delivering quality work for clients and communities.

The company is committed to long-term growth, operational excellence, and developing its people. Employee-owners have access to competitive compensation, industry-leading benefits, professional development, incentive programs, and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

This is an opportunity to join a highly respected organization and play a critical role in pursuing some of the industry's largest and most complex infrastructure projects.

About the Position

We are seeking an experienced Chief Estimator to provide leadership, oversight, and risk management for major heavy civil and transportation pursuits.

The Chief Estimator is responsible for the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of estimating deliverables for assigned projects. This individual will lead estimating teams, coordinate resources, evaluate project risk, develop pricing strategies, and work closely with division leadership and internal support teams to successfully pursue large-scale projects.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience estimating complex transportation and heavy highway projects valued at $100 million or more , including projects involving earthwork, structures, paving, underground utilities, and other major civil scopes.

While the role primarily focuses on leading estimating teams, the Chief Estimator will also develop estimates and other work products when needed to support departmental priorities and maintain estimating schedules.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and delivery of accurate, timely estimates throughout all stages of design development.
• Provide estimating leadership, coordination, technical expertise, and problem-solving support to project teams.
• Lead estimates for large transportation and heavy highway projects from initial review through final bid submission.
• Analyze bid documents to identify project risks, opportunities, cost exposures, and potential mitigation strategies.
• Establish contract cost exposure and probability associated with identified risks and recommend appropriate contingencies.
• Organize estimating teams, assign responsibilities, establish bid strategies, and ensure deadlines are met.
• Review plans, specifications, quantities, and estimates for compliance with project requirements and anticipated jobsite conditions.
• Develop and maintain detailed project cost structures, including labor, equipment, materials, subcontractors, general conditions, overhead, G&A, fees, insurance, bonding, and taxes.
• Utilize HCSS at an expert level , including project-specific labor and equipment rates and other cost inputs.
• Estimate General Conditions and one or more self-perform disciplines.
• Lead estimates in Joint Venture environments, including developing and following JV instructions, collaborating with partners, and conducting estimate reviews.
• Participate in bid review meetings with Division Management to validate costs, finalize pricing, and establish markup.
• Coordinate subcontractor and vendor selection and lead bid closeout activities.
• Maintain strong relationships with subcontractors and vendors and participate in outreach and Good Faith Efforts supporting diverse participation.
• Understand labor and material escalation trends and incorporate appropriate assumptions into estimates.
• Work closely with Contracts, Legal, Tax, Insurance, Human Resources, and other support groups throughout the estimating process.
• Assist with project buyout and maintain ultimate responsibility for budgeting, subcontracts, and purchase orders.
• Support the development of alternative delivery expertise, including P3, Design-Build, CM/GC, and CMAR .
• Lead, coach, develop, and mentor estimators and junior estimating personnel.
• Participate in talent management activities, including coaching, performance evaluations, and professional development.
• Assist Preconstruction leadership with estimator assignments and resource planning to ensure adequate staffing for estimating priorities and deadlines.

Requirements

• Four-year degree in Engineering or a combination of equivalent technical training and relevant experience.
• 10+ years of experience in construction estimating.
• Extensive estimating experience with large, complex heavy civil and transportation projects exceeding $100 million .
• Strong background in Design-Bid-Build estimating.
• Experience with heavy highway, structures, underground utilities, earthwork, paving, and other complex civil scopes.
• Expert-level knowledge of HCSS estimating software , including labor rates, equipment rates, insurance, bonding, and taxes.
• Strong understanding of large construction company cost structures, including overhead, G&A, fees, insurance, and contingencies.
• Experience estimating General Conditions and self-perform work.
• Previous experience leading estimating teams and serving as the primary point of contact for major pursuits.
• Experience working in a Joint Venture environment is highly preferred.
• Experience with or willingness to develop expertise in alternative delivery methods such as P3, Design-Build, CM/GC, and CMAR.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and commonly used construction estimating software.
• Proficiency with enterprise project management systems.
• Proficiency with Primavera P6 and demonstrated understanding of Critical Path Scheduling.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with executives, project teams, subcontractors, vendors, JV partners, and internal support departments.
• This is a safety-sensitive position and requires the ability to wear required personal protective equipment and perform the physical requirements associated with construction environments.

Benefits

• Market-competitive salary paid weekly
• Bonus eligibility based on company, group, and individual performance
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and 401(k)
• Industry-leading health coverage beginning on your first day
• Flexible Time Off (FTO)
• Medical, Health Savings, and Wellness credits
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee charitable giving opportunities through the company foundation
• Professional training and career development opportunities