Chief Estimator

Job Description

Job Description

At JJB South, we look for people who work hard and have fun doing so. While we operate in a fast-paced environment, we remain grounded in our core values: Safety, Coachability, Collaboration, and Accountability.

Overview:

The Chief Estimator is responsible for leading and supporting JJB South’s estimating efforts for civil construction projects, including underground utilities and site development. This is a hands-on estimating role that prepares estimates while providing leadership and oversight of the estimating process. The Chief Estimator works closely with the estimating team, operations, and company leadership to develop accurate, complete, competitive, and buildable estimates and ensure awarded projects are transitioned effectively to the project team.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare detailed estimates for underground utilities, site development, earthwork, and related civil construction projects.
• Review bid opportunities and help establish bid strategy, priorities, workload, and internal review deadlines.
• Perform and review quantity takeoffs, pricing, production assumptions, labor, equipment, materials, subcontractors, indirect costs, and other project requirements.
• Review estimates for accuracy, completeness, scope coverage, pricing, risk, exclusions, clarifications, and overall bid readiness.
• Lead internal bid reviews and coordinate final bid preparation and submission.
• Oversee vendor and subcontractor quote coverage, comparison, and selection.
• Identify project risks, scope gaps, constructability concerns, and other conditions that may impact pricing or project execution.
• Provide guidance and support to estimators and estimating support staff while helping maintain consistent estimating standards and processes.
• Track bid results and market feedback to help improve future pricing, bid strategy, and estimating accuracy.
• Coordinate with project management and operations to provide a complete and organized handoff for awarded projects.

Experience Required:

• 10+ years of estimating experience in civil construction preferred.
• Prior experience in a Senior Estimator, Lead Estimator, Chief Estimator, or similar role preferred.
• Strong experience with underground utilities, site development, earthwork, or related civil construction scopes.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and review complex estimates from initial scope review through final bid submission.
• Strong understanding of quantity takeoffs, labor, equipment, materials, production rates, subcontractor pricing, and construction pricing.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans, specifications, bid documents, and contract requirements.
• Experience identifying project risks, scope gaps, and pricing considerations before bid submission.
• Experience with HCSS HeavyBid or similar estimating software preferred.
• Strong leadership, organizational, analytical, communication, and time-management skills.

Benefits:

Highly competitive compensation, health insurance, optional vision and dental insurance, paid time off, SIMPLE IRA retirement plan, bonus potential, and a company-provided cell phone or phone allowance.

JJB South is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.