Chief Estimator

LVI Associates; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP Program

Performance-based compensation

Long-term growth potential

Job summary

LVI Associates, a leading heavy civil contractor in New England, seeks a Chief Estimator to oversee estimating and preconstruction for a robust project pipeline. You will guide bid strategy, develop talent, and partner with executives to balance competitiveness with risk.

Responsibilities include leading bid teams, reviewing plans and contracts, and mentoring estimators to strengthen the organization’s capabilities and execution success.

Qualifications

• Extensive estimating experience in heavy civil or infrastructure construction.
• Proven success leading large and technically complex bids.
• Strong understanding of heavy civil methods, sequencing, and production rates.
• Experience pricing self-performed labor, equipment, materials, and subs.
• Knowledge of public-sector bidding, contracts, and compliance.
• Excellent commercial judgement balancing competitiveness and risk.
• Proficient with estimating, takeoff, scheduling, and cost-management systems.
• Leadership, communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead estimating and preconstruction from opportunity review to bid submission.
• Develop pursuit strategies, bid schedules, staffing plans, and assignments.
• Review plans, specs, contracts, addenda, and requirements.
• Oversee detailed estimates for labor, equipment, materials, and subs.
• Evaluate sequencing, site logistics, production rates, and plans.
• Identify risks, gaps, constructability issues, and pricing opportunities.
• Lead subcontractor and supplier outreach and comparisons.
• Present final pricing recommendations to executive leadership.

Skills

Heavy civil estimating

Bid leadership

Cost management

Team leadership

Public-sector bidding

Scheduling & planning

Takeoff software

Collaboration with execs

Education

Bachelor's in Civil Engineering or CM

Tools

Estimating software

Takeoff software

Cost-management systems

Job description

Location: New England
Employment Type: Full-Time

CompensationCompetitive base salary, depending on experience
Performance-based bonus, comprehensive benefits, and long-term growth potential, ESOP Program

Role OverviewAn established heavy civil contractor is seeking an experienced Chief Estimator to lead its estimating and preconstruction operations across a strong pipeline of complex infrastructure work.

This is a high-impact leadership position for someone who can oversee major pursuits, guide bid strategy, develop estimating talent, and work closely with executive and operational leadership. The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of how heavy civil projects are built and the commercial judgment to balance competitiveness, constructability, and risk.

Relevant project experience may include bridges, highways, rail, marine construction, utilities, earthwork, structural concrete, dams, flood-control systems, and other public infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the estimating and preconstruction process from opportunity review through final bid submission
• Develop pursuit strategies, bid schedules, staffing plans, and estimating assignments
• Review plans, specifications, contracts, addenda, and project requirements
• Oversee detailed estimates for labor, equipment, materials, and subcontracted work
• Evaluate construction sequencing, site logistics, production rates, and execution plans
• Identify project risks, scope gaps, constructability concerns, and pricing opportunities
• Lead subcontractor and supplier outreach, scope reviews, and proposal comparisons
• Conduct estimate reviews and present final pricing recommendations to executive leadership
• Partner with operations to ensure estimates reflect practical field execution
• Support project handoffs from preconstruction into operations following award
• Maintain historical cost information and improve estimating systems and processes
• Recruit, mentor, and develop estimators and preconstruction professionals
• Build relationships with owners, engineers, subcontractors, suppliers, and industry partners
• Support strategic planning, market evaluation, and long-term company growth

What They're Looking For

• Extensive estimating experience in heavy civil or infrastructure construction
• Proven success leading large and technically complex bids
• Strong understanding of heavy civil construction means, methods, sequencing, and production rates
• Experience pricing self-performed labor, heavy equipment, materials, and subcontracted scopes
• Knowledge of public-sector bidding, contract requirements, and compliance
• Strong commercial judgment with the ability to balance competitiveness and project risk
• Proficiency with estimating, takeoff, scheduling, and cost-management systems
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills
• Ability to work effectively with executives, operations teams, clients, subcontractors, and suppliers
• Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline preferred, although equivalent experience will be considered

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Executive-level position with genuine influence over company strategy and project selection
• Opportunity to lead bids for major infrastructure projects throughout New England
• Direct access to senior leadership and operations
• Established project pipeline across multiple heavy civil markets
• Ability to build, mentor, and shape the estimating team
• Performance-based compensation and long-term advancement potential
• Stable organization that values practical construction knowledge and thoughtful decision-making
• Opportunity to improve systems and leave a lasting impact on the business