Chief Estimator

Chief Estimator - Commercial UtilitiesPosition OverviewThe Chief Estimator Commercial Utilities leads all estimating activities for commercial dry and wet utilities projects, delivering accurate, competitive, and timely cost estimates that support successful bids and project delivery. This role manages the estimating team, develops bid strategy, ensures consistency in pricing methodology across dry utilities (e.g., power, communications, gas) and wet utilities (e.g., water, sewer, storm), and collaborates with operations, procurement, and business development to mitigate risk and identify value-engineering opportunities.Key ResponsibilitiesLead, mentor, and manage the estimating team to produce high-quality, auditable estimates for commercial utilities projects.Prepare, review and approve detailed cost estimates for dry utilities (power, telecom, gas) and wet utilities (water, sewer, stormwater) across design-bid-build and design-build delivery methods.Develop bid strategies, takeoff methodologies, and unit pricing guidelines to ensure consistent and competitive proposals.Analyze project scope documents, drawings, geotechnical reports, and specifications to identify risks, assumptions, and scope gaps.Solicit, evaluate, and negotiate subcontractor and supplier quotes; maintain and develop relationships with key vendors and subs.Perform constructability reviews and lead value engineering workshops with operations and preconstruction teams to optimize cost and schedule.Maintain and improve estimating databases, assemblies, historical cost data, and estimating software templates; ensure accurate pricing libraries.Coordinate with contracts, legal, and finance to ensure estimates reflect contract terms, contingencies, and appropriate allowances.Present estimates and bid recommendations to senior leadership and participate in client meetings and pre-bid conferences as needed.Monitor market trends, material pricing, and labor productivity to update estimating factors and support risk-adjusted pricing decisions.QualificationsRequired: Proven expertise in Dry Utilities estimating (power, communications, gas) with demonstrable project experience.Required: Proven expertise in Wet Utilities estimating (water, sewer, stormwater) with demonstrable project experience.Required: Strong estimating skills with 8+ years of progressive estimating experience on heavy civil/utility or commercial utility projects; prior leadership supervising estimators preferred.Bachelors degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.Proficiency with industry estimating tools (examples: Sage Estimating, HCSS HeavyBid, Bluebeam, Trimble/WinEst) and advanced Excel modeling skills.Strong understanding of commercial construction practices and schedule impacts (Commercial Construction experience is a nice-to-have).Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills; ability to present complex estimates and recommend bid decisions to senior leadership.Detail-oriented with strong organization skills and ability to manage multiple bids under tight deadlines.Willingness to travel to project sites, client meetings, and subcontractor/vendor locations as required.Certifications such as CCM, AACE, or PMP are a plus.