Chief Estimator, Self-Perform Construction

Graycor Construction Company; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction company is seeking a Chief Estimator to supervise estimators and manage proposal development in self-perform construction. The role emphasizes leadership, teamwork, and continuous improvement in estimating processes. Candidates should have extensive experience in industrial construction, especially in piping estimation, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• 10+ years work experience in industrial construction.
• Experience in proposal development or project execution.
• Familiarity with competitive bid environments.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a subgroup of estimators in self-perform construction.
• Manage proposal development from Request for Proposal to submission.
• Evaluate labor strategies and proposal schedules.

Skills

Leadership

Attention to detail

Communication

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Suite

Job description

Supervise a subgroup of Estimators, all with skills pertaining to a broad category of self-perform construction, to ensure continuity of work with current clients, acquisition of new contracts and clients, and the generation of planned revenue and overhead contributions.

The Chief Estimator, Self-Perform, will partner with Regional General Managers to evaluate and select opportunities to pursue, collaborate with Operations to develop a plan to “win”, assign resources to price the Work, drive compliance with established best practices, and develop risk mitigation strategies to maintain Graycor’s risk profile. Within this Self-Perform group, specific emphasis will be placed on steel erection, equipment setting, and piping installation for projects in the energy transition, gas infrastructure, steelmaking, and manufacturing spaces. The successful candidate will drive for results, foster a work environment that supports teamwork, actively engage in the development of the estimators within the Estimating Department, and steward continuous improvement within all elements of the business.

The Chief Estimator will report directly to the Manager of Estimating.

Position Responsibilities

• Partner with the regional General Managers to support the sales targets of their respective regions and ensure the best use of Estimating Resources.
• Manage the development of and / or develop a proposal from the Request for Proposal to the Proposal Submittal.
• Ability to develop conceptual estimates to support preconstruction efforts and client engagement.
• Leverage prior experience regarding self-performance work to favorably position the business.
• Oversee and / or conduct structural steel, equipment setting, and piping installation work self-perform estimating.
• Oversee and / or conduct the identification, solicitation, and evaluation of Subcontractors to support proposal development.
• Evaluate labor strategies, installation schemes, proposal schedules, and commercial terms.
• Perform thorough and detailed review of estimates to ensure productivities align with historical information, market conditions, and scope specifics
• Improve and build out estimating templates, usable historical cost database information, conceptual estimating models, and self-perform estimating sheets to be scaled across business
• Provide expertise and experience in problem solving, operational and marketing challenges.
• Coach and train estimators and operational personnel on self-perform estimating, subcontractor proposal evaluation, the Graycor Way, and department software.

Position Requirements

• Have a disposition for leadership, a desire to improve / build systems, and a passion to grow people
• 10+ years work experience in the industrial construction market involving proposal development or project execution in a self-perform environment. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Emphasis on piping estimation is a plus.
• Must be familiar with guaranteed maximum and lump sum competitive bid environments.
• Must show rigor and discipline with good attention to detail
• Must have very good written and communication skills.
• Strong software skills, specifically the Microsoft Suite programs.