Senior Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Estimator will be responsible for leading and managing the estimating process for commercial construction projects, including labor, material, equipment and subcontractor costs.  This position will collaborate closely with project managers, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers to ensure accurate and competitive estimates are provided to clients.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

•    Oversee the daily operations of estimating processes, ensuring accurate and timely preparation of estimates.
•    Lead, coordinate, and organize estimating processes including the development of an estimating team when required.
•    Track marketing contacts and submitted proposals.
•    Develop project approach proposals, complete MBE forms & proposals.  
•    Ability to calculate unit pricing for trades.
•    Foster relationships with brokers, architects, and existing client base.
•    Develop comprehensive cost estimates for projects including labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor costs.
•    Responsible for leading, estimating, and ensuring the accurate and timely preparation and submittal of multiple projects bidding concurrently.
•    Evaluate project plans, specifications, and other documents to understand project scope and requirements.
•    Work cohesively with the Keller team to manage and fulfill all requirements for the bid submission.
•    Responsible for understanding and completing projects from bid through review of plans and specifications in their entirety which include site visits and pre-bid meetings, as applicable.
•    Responsible for interpreting bid documents and creating spreadsheet(s) that summarizes the scope of work completely.  Required to generate and track RFI questions, review, and process agenda.
•    Prepare takeoffs as necessary based on nature of project and anticipated trade coverage.
•    Manage minority business goals, wage scale requirements, bid alternates, unit prices and other residual components of a compliant bid submission.  Must clearly communicate the requirements to bidding trade contractors when applicable to their work.
•    Create bidders lists for projects and solicit trade contractors' participation through an online bid manager program. Responsible for tracking bid participation closely and reviewing with the Executive VP at timely intervals.
•    Develop and distribute project trade scopes of work as necessary.
•    Actively communicate with subcontractors throughout bid process so that scope is coordinated.
•    Foster relationships with new trade contractors and maintain relationships with existing trade contractors.
•    For awarded projects, negotiate scope and price with anticipated trade contractor. awardees, formalize agreement by issuing letters of intent.
•    Conduct turnover meetings with project manager outlining project scope, any notable components of the project, including buyout status.
•    Represent Keller for projects in preconstruction, budgeting of larger projects, increased owner and design team interaction, value engineering, assistance of establishment and development of scope packages.
•    Required and expected to participate and assist with ongoing business development.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE 
•    7+ years of experience estimating for a commercial general contractor.
•    School and public municipality (fire stations, libraries, police stations, community centers, etc.) estimating experience is a plus.
•    A proven record of successfully bidding and budgeting projects and maintaining healthy, sustained subcontractor relationships.
•    Experience with the subcontractor post-bid buyout and negotiation process, including issuance of letters of intent
•    Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite of programs, primarily Outlook, Excel, and Word.
•    Bluebeam Revu experience is preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear.  Occasional standing and walking is required.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Employees must be able to climb stairs and ladders for site access and occasionally tolerate exposure to heights during jobsite visits.