Chief Estimator - Heavy Civil/Highway

Sundt Enterprise; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Sundt Enterprise is seeking a Chief Estimator to lead the estimating teams and manage risk across multiple large transportation projects. The role oversees technical success, bid quality, and timely deliverables while coordinating with contracts, legal, taxes, and other support groups.

The Chief Estimator will guide extensive cost analysis, review bid documentation, and mentor junior estimators, ensuring accurate and competitive bids aligned with project goals.

Qualifications

• Four-year engineering degree or equivalent combinations of technical training and/or related experience.
• Ten or more years of experience in an estimating role.
• Proficient use of all Microsoft Office Suite programs.
• Proficient in commonly used industry estimating software programs.
• Experience as prime contact with minimal oversight for project teams.
• Proficient in Enterprise Project Management Systems and P6 scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Manage the delivery of estimates for projects, with input, coordination, and problem-solving value.
• Lead estimating teams and develop work products to manage department workflow.
• Define contract risk and establish cost exposure with mitigation options.
• Organize team to review plans and specifications and execute bid strategy.
• Develop subcontractor relations and lead bid reviews with management.

Skills

Leadership

Risk management

Team management

Estimating oversight

Problem solving

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

HCSS

Enterprise Project Management Systems

P6 (Primavera)

Job description

Job Summary

The Chief Estimators primary responsibility is to manage risk for the company by providing oversight and leadership to estimating teams. They are typically involved in multiple projects but may be assigned to a single large project when merited. In addition to having responsibility for the technical success and execution of the projects they work on; they are also responsible for managing the relationships with the other team members. Chief Estimators are ultimately responsible for the quality and timeliness of all estimating deliverables for assigned projects. Day-to-day efforts are focused on management of estimating teams, but individuals will also be asked to develop work products when appropriate or when necessary to manage the flow of work in the department.

Key Responsibilities

1. Manage the delivery of estimates for projects, providing input, coordination, and problem-solving value at all stages of design development.
2. A strong design bid build estimating background is necessary. Personnel will develop alternative project delivery experience (P3s, Design Build, CM/GC, and CMAR) if that experience does not currently exist.
3. Expert level HCSS knowledge including project specific input of labor rates, equipment rates, insurance, bonding, and taxes.
4. Responsibility for the preparation of accurate and timely estimates on large transportation project bids from start to finish, the lead estimator leads and directs the entire estimating.
5. Experience working on large, complex transportation and heavy highway projects exceeding 100 million dollars.
6. Critically analyze bid documents and understand risk and opportunities and articulate those to management.
7. Define contract risk and establish contract cost exposure and probability due to the identified risk. Propose potential risk mitigation measures and/or recommend reasonable contract contingency.
8. Thorough understanding of entire project phasing and scope on complex projects with earthwork, structures, paving, and underground work.
9. Organize estimating team to review plans and specifications, make estimate assignments, and execute overall strategy for winning the bid.
10. Active participant in reviewing the work of the entire estimating team for compliance with the plans, specifications, and jobsite conditions.
11. Obtains review and input information from contracts, legal, taxes, insurance, human resources, and other support groups.
12. Has a strong working knowledge of large construction company cost structures (overheads, G&A, fees, insurances).
13. Estimate General Conditions and one or more self-perform disciplines.
14. Experience leading estimates in a Joint Venture environment including writing & following Joint Venture instructions, collaborating with Joint Venture partners, and conducting reviews.
15. Conducts bid review meeting with the Division Management to confirm cost, finalize bid, and markup/price work.
16. Select subcontractors and vendors team and closeout the bid. Understand escalation trends for labor and materials.
17. Develop and maintain successful subcontractor relations. Participate in subcontractor outreach and other Good Faith Efforts that encourage minority participation.
18. Buy‑out projects with ultimate responsibility for budgeting and all subcontracts and purchase orders.
19. Lead, develop, and mentor other team members and junior estimators. Participates in talent management activities, such as coaching and performance reviews of others.

Minimum Job Requirements

1. Four‑year engineering degree or equivalent combinations of technical training and/or related experience.
2. Ten or more years of experience in an estimating role.
3. Proficient use of all Microsoft Office Suite programs.
4. Proficient in the use of commonly used industry estimating software programs.
5. Successful history executing projects as the prime point of contact with minimal oversight for project teams.
6. Proficient in the use of an Enterprise Project Management Systems.
7. Proficient in the use of P6 and demonstrates skill in Critical Path Scheduling
8. Ideal candidates will have project experience in one or more key market sectors identified by the business unit.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to; steel toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, hardhat, vest, etc.)
• May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis
• May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis
• May use telephone, computer system, email, or other electronic devices on a limited basis to communicate with internal and external customers or vendors
• Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures
• Occasionally will climb stairs, ladders, etc.
• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis
• Will interact with people frequently during a shift/work day
• Will lift, push or pull objects on an occasional basis
• Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift/work day.

Safety Level

Safety-Sensitive

Note: Jobs with the Safety-Sensitive designation are those that include tasks or duties that the employer reasonably believes could affect the safety and health of the employee performing the task or others such as operating a vehicle, operating equipment, operating machinery or power tools or the handling/disposal/transport of hazardous materials, or the handling/treatment/disposal of potentially flammable/combustible materials.