Chief Estimator - Utilities

Chief Estimator Commercial Utilities LLC
Operations
Reports To: Vice President -Internal Operations
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.

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.
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.

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.
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.

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.

Build and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and customers.
Expand and evaluate the company’s subcontractor and supplier network.
Negotiate competitive pricing and favorable terms in coordination with procurement, operations, and executive leadership.

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.

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.
Improve estimating processes, templates, databases, and quality control procedures to increase accuracy and efficiency.
Demonstrated expertise in estimating underground utility and related civil construction projects.
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.
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.

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field preferred.
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.

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

Strong proficiency with estimating software and tools, such as HCSS HeavyBid and Bluebeam.
Strong leadership, coaching, and delegation abilities.
Sound business judgment and the ability to balance competitiveness, risk, and profitability.
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.

This position is primarily performed in an office setting, with periodic travel to project sites and customer meetings.
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.
Full-time position.
Typically Monday through Friday during standard business hours.
Occasional site visits, pre-bid meetings, and customer meetings are required.
Limited travel within the company’s service area may be necessary.

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.