Lead Estimator

Thalle Construction Co., Inc. (“Thalle”) is currently seeking a Lead Estimator. The Lead Estimator will report to the Chief Estimator and work closely with and support the estimating team. Our ideal candidate will be a team player who is highly motivated with a strong work ethic and efficient with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.

Thalle, established in 1947, is a heavy civil construction company with a corporate office in Hillsborough, NC and a regional office in Alvarado, Texas. Thalle has construction projects throughout the South East, Texas, and New Jersey with growth nationwide. Our diverse and expansive project scope of heavy civil infrastructure projects includes dams, reservoirs, locks, DOT roadway construction and bridges, large diameter utilities, landfills, mass excavation, wastewater, on-demand emergency services.

We are a proud representative of Tully Group ( The Tully Group is one the nation’s largest privately held, family-owned construction firms with their corporate office in New York City and long history of heavy civil projects in the Metro New York Area and New Jersey.

Safety is our TOP priority! Thalle offers a competitive salary package with a full range of benefits, including Major Medical, Dental, Vision, Short and Long-Term Disability, generous PTO, paid company holidays, Life Insurance, and 401K with a company match, and more! Compensation is based on experience and qualifications.

Thalle is an Equal Opportunity Employer, E-Verify and Drug Free Workplace.

Regional Office Location:

Alvarado, Texas.

Please note- this role is 100% on site in Alvarado, TX. NOT remote or hybrid.

Job Title:

Lead Estimator

Salary:

Competitive compensation package based on experience.

Position Summary:

The senior technical and strategic authority within the estimating department, and a team leader responsible for the entire estimating process on assigned projects—including the most complex, high-risk, and alternative-delivery pursuits. The Lead Estimator leads estimating teams, sets strategy and direction, articulates risk and opportunity to management, and partners with the Proposal team on alternative-delivery pursuits.

Reporting and Team Structure:

• Reports to the Chief Estimator.
• Leads estimating teams and provides leadership and direction on means and methods, schedule, and strategy; leads and develops estimators.
• Initiates the Division of Responsibility (DOR) with the Proposal team on RFP estimates and coordinates with the Procurement Lead and Operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the estimating team in the timely roll-out and execution of the entire estimate deliverable process for assigned projects.
• Conduct initial analysis of drawings and specifications to ensure required documentation is present and to determine scope of work.
• Develop full-scope estimates based on Bid-Build, Design-Build, or CM/GC construction documents.
• Critically analyze bid documents, understand risks and opportunities, and articulate them to management.
• Organize the bid team and provide leadership and direction on means and methods, schedule, and strategy.
• Participate in technical proposals for alternative-delivery projects and write technical approach narratives for RFPs.
• Provide detailed quantity takeoffs of specific trades when required; develop unit costs accurately and create detailed crew and production cost estimates, reviewing prices with the team.
• Solicit and analyze subcontractor and vendor pricing; manage and maintain the subcontractor database and prequalification; coordinate SMWBE efforts with the Procurement Lead.
• Gather and monitor actual cost versus estimated cost, maintaining project cost history.
• Initiate the DOR with the Proposal team and ensure the team has the information needed to develop bid proposal documents.
• Understand field production rates and communicate with the field for updates as needed.
• Accurately assess and plan takeoff workload, and lead bid reviews.
• Build effective relationships with customers, design teams, subcontractors, suppliers, and user groups that reflect company core values and meet or exceed customer expectations.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• Expert knowledge of all facets of heavy civil construction—earthwork, concrete, and utility construction—and of Bid-Build, Design-Build, and CM/GC delivery methods.
• Ability to develop and direct full-scope estimates and to lead an estimating team.
• Strong risk and opportunity analysis, strategic judgment, and the ability to write technical approach narratives.
• Advanced negotiation, relationship-building, and communication skills.
• Expert proficiency with HCSS, Agtek, Revit, Rhino, and Microsoft Office.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ten or more years of heavy civil estimating experience, with deep knowledge of earthwork, concrete, and utility construction.
• Demonstrated leadership of estimating teams and ownership of complex and alternative-delivery pursuits.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel as required.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Physical Requirements:

• Primarily an office-based role with regular extended periods at a computer workstation.
• Periodic travel to active construction sites, which may include exposure to weather, uneven terrain, noise, dust, and active equipment; compliance with all site-specific personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements is mandatory.
• Extended hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, may be required as bid deadlines approach.
• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions, and to maintain regular, punctual attendance, consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.

Professional Conduct:

• Represents Thalle Construction Co., Inc. professionally in every interaction with clients, vendors, subcontractors, and the public.
• Maintains composure, professionalism, and objectivity in challenging or time-pressured situations, and resolves conflict without escalating tension.
• Adheres to all company policies, safety requirements, and ethical standards.
• Protects the confidentiality of bid information, vendor pricing, and proprietary company data.