Chief Estimator

Curtin Trucking & Drainage; Clover (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Curtin Trucking & Drainage in Clover, SC is seeking a Chief Estimator to lead the estimating function for public-sector and heavy highway projects, driving bid strategy and pricing accuracy. You will manage takeoffs, coordinate with vendors and internal stakeholders, mentor a team of estimators, and advance estimating systems to improve win rates, margin, and client satisfaction.

This role requires a track record of large-scale bids and strong leadership in a fast-paced, detail-oriented

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, business, or related field.
• 7+ years of estimating experience with increasing responsibility.
• Experience leading estimates for large-scale, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Proven ability to implement or improve estimating systems and workflows.
• Experience mentoring estimators or preconstruction teams.
• Strong ability to read plans and contract documents.
• Proficient in Excel and estimating software such as HeavyBid or similar.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the estimating function from opportunity evaluation through final submission.
• Direct estimating strategy for complex pursuits, aligning with growth, risk, and margin.
• Provide executive oversight of estimate quality, pricing, and component alignment.
• Lead adoption of estimating systems, databases, and reporting workflows.
• Solicit and evaluate vendor quotations and negotiate terms as needed.
• Mentor and develop estimators and preconstruction team members.
• Engage with clients and partners during scope reviews and post-bid handoffs.
• Report bid volume, hit rates, and market conditions to leadership.

Skills

Leadership experience

Estimating software

Excel proficiency

Plan reading

Proposal writing

Bid strategy

Vendor negotiations

Education

Bachelor's degree in CM/Engineering/Business

Tools

HeavyBid

Estimating software

Job description

As Chief Estimator, you will lead the estimating function for an organization delivering products, services, and project-based solutions across public-sector and heavy highway infrastructure-related markets. You will oversee bid strategy, pricing accuracy, and proposal development for a range of complex projects. This role requires experience leading estimates for large-scale work, improving estimating systems and workflows, and managing and developing a team of estimators. You will oversee the estimating pipeline, review contract documents and plans, guide takeoffs and pricing, coordinate with vendors and internal stakeholders, and support business development efforts to improve win rates, margin performance, and client satisfaction.

Key Abilities for Position Success:

Building Collaborative Relationships:

Must have the ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside and outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support. Leads with a solutions-oriented mindset, builds trust across teams, and establishes win-win relationships with customers, vendors, and colleagues.

Reflects Company Values:

Teamwork, Integrity, Accountability

Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee the estimating function, setting priorities, review standards, and bid governance from opportunity evaluation through final submission and turnover.
• Direct estimating strategy for complex, large-scale pursuits, ensuring alignment with company growth objectives, risk tolerance, and margin expectations.
• Provide executive oversight of estimate quality, pricing assumptions, and commercial alignment across labor, materials, equipment, subcontractor, and freight components.
• Lead the implementation, optimization, and adoption of estimating systems, tools, databases, and workflows to improve consistency, efficiency, and reporting.
• Establish bid strategy, identify project risks and opportunities, and recommend pricing approaches that align with company goals.
• Partner with executive leadership, operations, procurement, project management, and business development to align estimating priorities with operational capacity and market strategy.
• Develop and maintain estimating standards, templates, cost databases, and historical pricing information.
• Solicit and evaluate vendor and subcontractor quotations, negotiate where appropriate, and ensure scope completeness.
• HeavyBid experience is highly desirable, particularly to support leadership visibility into estimating workflows, data quality, and reporting consistency.
• Manage, mentor, and develop estimators, including workload allocation, quality review, coaching, and performance support.
• Support customer and contractor outreach before and after bid, including scope reviews, value engineering discussions, and handoff meetings.
• Provide management with regular updates on bid volume, hit rates, market conditions, competitive activity, and department performance.
• Participate in client meetings, trade shows, and industry events as needed.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, business, or related field.
• 7+ years of estimating experience, with increasing responsibility in construction, specialty contracting, traffic control, or related industries; 3+ years of direct personnel supervision preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading estimates for complex, large-scale projects with multiple stakeholders, tight deadlines, and significant operational scope.
• Proven experience implementing, improving, or leading adoption of estimating systems, software, or process workflows.
• Previous experience managing, mentoring, and developing other estimators or preconstruction team members.
• Strong knowledge of reading plans, specifications, bid documents, and contract requirements.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite or related estimating software.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize multiple deadlines and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including proposal writing and executive-level presentation ability.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Construction experience in DOT, municipal, airport, or military markets is strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 25 pounds at times.
• May occasionally visit jobsites, yards, or customer locations and be exposed to noise, dust, and conditions typically associated with construction environments.