Chief Estimator

J.J. Barney Construction; Punta Gorda (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

SIMPLE IRA retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

JJB South is seeking a Chief Estimator to lead and support the estimating efforts for civil construction projects, including underground utilities and site development. The role combines hands-on estimating with leadership of the estimating team and coordination with operations and leadership to ensure accurate, competitive bids.

Responsibilities include bid strategy, detailed quantity takeoffs, pricing, risk assessment, and overseeing bid submissions.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of estimating experience in civil construction preferred.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to lead and mentor estimators and support staff.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed estimates for underground utilities, site development, earthwork, and related civil projects.
• Review bid opportunities and help establish bid strategy, priorities, workload, and deadlines.
• Perform quantity takeoffs, pricing, labor, equipment, materials, and subcontractor costs.
• Review estimates for accuracy, scope coverage, pricing, and bid readiness.
• Lead internal bid reviews and coordinate final bid submission.
• Oversee vendor and subcontractor quote coverage and comparison.
• Identify risks, scope gaps, and constructability concerns affecting pricing.
• Provide guidance to estimators and maintain estimating standards.
• Track bid results and market feedback to improve future pricing and accuracy.
• Coordinate handoff for awarded projects to project management.

Skills

Estimating leadership

Bid strategy

Plan reading

Tools

HCSS HeavyBid

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.