Chief Estimator

Chief Estimator – Own the Numbers. Drive the Win.

Lead the bid. Shape the work. Set the standard.

You live for the chase – complex site and heavy civil bids, tight deadlines, and the satisfaction of knowing your number is the one that wins the work.

In this Chief Estimator role, you’ll own the entire bid process for public and private paving and excavation projects – from first look at the civil drawings to final proposal on the Executive Team’s desk.

You’ll be the go-to authority on mass excavation, light grading, paving, roadwork, earthwork, site utilities, and stormwater management, providing leadership and guidance on all things estimating and pre-construction.

Your work will directly decide which projects get built – and how profitably.

If you’ve led heavy civil and site construction estimates from front to back, we want to talk to you.

What You'll Work On

You’ll be at the center of estimating and pre-construction for a range of heavy civil and site projects, including:

• Public and private paving projects
• Mass excavation and light grading packages
• Roadwork and earthwork scopes
• Site utilities and storm water management systems
• Projects driven by detailed civil drawings and geotechnical reports
• Pre-bid meetings and client-facing estimating discussions
• Subcontractor and supplier pricing on specialized scopes
• Value engineering opportunities across site and civil work

You’ll work heavily in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, with exposure to HCSS Heavy Bid as a plus.

What You'll Be Doing

• Manage the entire bid process for heavy civil and site construction projects
• Review project plans, specifications, and geotechnical reports to develop accurate scopes and pricing
• Perform detailed quantity take-offs for mass excavation, grading, paving, utilities, and related work
• Evaluate project specifications and past performance to sharpen bid strategy
• Source, solicit, and organize subcontractor and supplier bids
• Analyze subcontractor and supplier proposals for completeness and competitiveness
• Develop preliminary project schedules to support bid submissions
• Generate accurate, thorough, and competitive bid proposals
• Lead bid negotiations and support final pricing decisions with the Executive Team
• Provide leadership and guidance on estimating and pre-construction for multiple projects
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, vendors, and clients
• Identify project risks, opportunities, and value engineering options to improve competitiveness

What We're Looking For

• Construction estimating experience with 10+ years in site construction or heavy civil projects
• 5+ years in a senior estimating role or with clear leadership responsibility
• Strong background in public works and heavy civil projects
• Ability to read and understand civil drawings, including grading, utilities, erosion and sediment controls
• Familiarity with roadwork, earthwork, site utilities, and storm water management
• Bid negotiation experience and comfort leading the commercial conversation
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Excellent communication, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Proven ability to manage multiple bids and deadlines simultaneously
• Valid driver’s license with a good driving record and ability to pass pre-employment drug screen and background check

The Experience That Will Really Get Our Attention

You’ve been the point person driving winning heavy civil and site development bids, especially in public works, where precision, compliance, and relationships matter. You’re as comfortable dissecting grading and utility plans as you are in a bid review with executives or across the table in a negotiation.

You bring a disciplined estimating approach, a sharp eye for risk and value engineering, and you thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment where your numbers have real impact.

Why This Opportunity?

This is a true Chief Estimator position – you’re not a cog in a giant estimating department. You’re reporting directly to the Executive Team and owning the estimating and pre-construction function for meaningful projects.

You’ll have visibility, autonomy, and the ability to shape how the company chases and wins work in the heavy civil and site market.

The role is full-time, salaried, and comes with competitive wages plus a strong benefits package including medical, dental, vision, PTO, 401(k) with employer match, paid holidays, and voluntary life, disability, and accident insurance.