chief estimator

Chief Estimator

Commercial Utilities LLC

Department: Operations

Reports To: Vice President -Internal Operations

Location: DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia)

Position Summary

We seek an experienced Chief Estimator to lead estimating for underground utility and related civil construction projects. The Chief Estimator identifies and pursues work, manages and develops the estimating team, ensures accurate and competitive bids, and prepares estimates as needed.

This position combines technical estimating expertise with leadership, business development, and strategic planning. The Chief Estimator works closely with executive leadership, project managers, engineers, procurement, and field teams to evaluate opportunities, validate scope, assess risks, and establish pricing that supports profitable growth.

Responsibilities

Estimating Leadership and Oversight:

• Lead and manage the estimating department, including workload planning, bid assignments, staffing needs, and performance expectations.
• Mentor and develop estimators, providing technical guidance, reviewing work, and strengthening team capabilities.
• Establish standards for estimate preparation, documentation, quality control, and bid review.
• Manage the bid calendar and allocate resources to meet deadlines across multiple opportunities.

Business Development and Project Selection:

• Identify and source bidding opportunities that align with the company’s capabilities, resources, service area, and financial goals.
• Build relationships with customers, general contractors, developers, engineers, and other industry partners to generate repeat business and new opportunities.
• Lead bid/no-bid evaluations with executive leadership, considering project scope, customer relationships, competition, risk, capacity, and potential profitability.
• Support customer presentations, proposal interviews, negotiations, and contract award discussions.

Bid Preparation:

• Oversee the preparation and submission of complete, accurate, and competitive bid proposals.
• Prepare detailed estimates for complex or strategically important projects and provide estimating support as workload requires.
• Review quantity takeoffs, labor production rates, equipment requirements, material pricing, subcontractor quotes, indirect costs, and proposed margins.
• Confirm that bids address applicable specifications, addenda, submission requirements, exclusions, and qualifications.
• Lead final bid reviews and obtain required internal approvals before submission.

Assessment:

• Identify and evaluate project risks and opportunities, including site conditions, access, existing utilities, geotechnical conditions, restoration requirements, scheduling constraints, and contractual obligations.
• Develop appropriate contingencies, clarifications, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Evaluate alternative construction methods, materials, sequencing, and value engineering opportunities.
• Coordinate with operations and executive leadership to assess constructability, resource availability, and acceptable project risk.

Cost Estimation:

• Direct the preparation of cost estimates for underground utility projects, including water, sewer, storm drain, electrical, telecommunications, and associated civil work.
• Review plans, specifications, geotechnical reports, and contract documents to establish scope and identify gaps or conflicts.
• Validate construction methods, crew compositions, production rates, equipment usage, and project durations with field and operations personnel.
• Maintain reliable historical cost data, pricing databases, and estimating benchmarks.
• Monitor market conditions affecting labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor pricing.

Relationship Management:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and customers.
• Expand and evaluate the company’s subcontractor and supplier network.
• Oversee quote solicitation and scope comparisons to identify omissions, overlaps, and pricing inconsistencies.
• Negotiate competitive pricing and favorable terms in coordination with procurement, operations, and executive leadership.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Work closely with project managers, engineers, procurement, and field leadership to align estimates with project requirements and execution plans.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, and customer presentations.
• Lead estimating handoff meetings for awarded projects, clearly communicating scope, budgets, assumptions, exclusions, risks, and commitments.
• Support operations in resolving questions about the original estimate and evaluating significant scope changes when needed.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Ensure estimates contain complete and organized records of takeoffs, quotes, assumptions, calculations, and bid decisions.
• Report on estimating workload, bid results, award rates, backlog opportunities, and other relevant performance measures.
• Review estimated costs against actual project performance with operations to improve future estimates.
• Provide leadership with timely information to support pricing, staffing, and growth decisions.

Continuous Improvement:

• Improve estimating processes, templates, databases, and quality control procedures to increase accuracy and efficiency.
• Stay informed about industry trends, construction methods, technologies, and jurisdictional requirements.
• Evaluate and implement appropriate estimating technologies, including AI tools, while maintaining confidentiality and verifying accuracy.
• Promote accountability, collaboration, and continued learning within the estimating team.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in estimating underground utility and related civil construction projects.
• Proven ability to lead estimating teams and manage multiple simultaneous bids of varying size and complexity.
• Strong understanding of construction means and methods, labor production rates, equipment utilization, and project cost structures.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, geotechnical reports, and contract documents.
• Thorough understanding of specifications and requirements across multiple jurisdictions within the company’s service area.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate project opportunities, assess risk, and develop competitive pricing that supports profitability.
• Experience building customer relationships and supporting business development.
• Willingness to evaluate and use AI products and other technologies to improve estimating performance.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field preferred.
• An equivalent combination of relevant construction experience, estimating expertise, and demonstrated leadership may be considered.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive estimating experience in underground utility or heavy civil construction, including at least 5 years in a senior estimating or estimating leadership role.
• Experience estimating water, sewer, storm drain, electrical, and telecommunications projects.
• Experience with earthwork, paving, and asphalt restoration preferred.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing bid preparation, reviewing estimates, mentoring estimators, and supporting project selection and customer negotiations.

Certifications

Preferred:

• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 Construction Safety Certification.

Required:

• Valid driver’s license for required site visits and pre-bid meetings.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong proficiency with estimating software and tools, such as HCSS HeavyBid and Bluebeam.
• Advanced analytical, mathematical, and cost evaluation skills.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and delegation abilities.
• Effective negotiation, presentation, and relationship management skills.
• Sound business judgment and the ability to balance competitiveness, risk, and profitability.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet bid deadlines.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to adopt new technologies and critically review their output.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods while preparing estimates and reviewing project documents.
• Frequent use of standard office equipment, including computers, keyboards, phones, and printers.
• Ability to review detailed construction plans, specifications, and technical documents.
• Occasional walking and standing during site visits, pre-bid meetings, and project walkthroughs.
• Ability to navigate uneven terrain and active construction sites during field visits.
• Ability to lift and carry documents, plans, and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds occasionally.

Work Environment

This position is primarily performed in an office setting, with periodic travel to project sites and customer meetings.

The work environment includes:

• Office-based estimating, management, and administrative work.
• Site visits to active underground utility and civil construction projects.
• Exposure to noise, dust, heavy equipment operations, and changing weather conditions during field visits.
• Frequent interaction with executive leadership, estimators, project managers, engineers, field personnel, subcontractors, suppliers, and customers.
• A fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines and competing bid schedules.

Schedule

Full-time position.

• Typically Monday through Friday during standard business hours.
• Additional hours are required as necessary to meet bid deadlines and business needs.
• Occasional site visits, pre-bid meetings, and customer meetings are required.
• Limited travel within the company’s service area may be necessary.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Commercial Utilities LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status.