SIMON | Sr. Estimator

Simon; Longmont (CO); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401K with company match

Paid parental leave

Disability insurance

Flexible spending plan

Education assistance

Eight paid holidays

Employee discounts

Job summary

Simon is seeking a Lead Estimator to direct the bidding and estimating of complex construction projects across Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The role oversees a team, mentors staff, and collaborates with project leaders to shape pricing and risk strategies.

Position can be based out of Cheyenne, WY or Fort Collins, CO. The candidate must have extensive experience in heavy/highway and municipal projects and a strong grasp of estimating software and analytics.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive construction estimating experience in asphalt paving, utilities, sitework, concrete, or bridge construction.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and estimating software; knowledge of HCSS/Bluebeam is a plus.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop estimating teams.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and financial acumen for risk and pricing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to present complex information.
• Ability to read and interpret complex construction plans and specs.
• Strong organizational and planning skills in a deadline-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Embrace safety culture and support safety initiatives.
• Monitor owner agencies and programs to identify bidding opportunities.
• Manage estimating pipeline with active pursuits and upcoming opportunities.
• Direct all estimating activities to ensure bids are prepared on schedule.
• Lead and develop estimating staff through training and coaching.
• Collaborate with PMs, engineers, and estimators on strategy, risk, pricing, and constructability.
• Participate in bid-to-project handoffs to ensure continuity from estimate through execution.
• Ensure standardized estimating procedures across bids.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs and audit takeoffs for accuracy.
• Lead communications with subcontractors and vendors for pricing and VE opportunities.
• Lead bid review meetings with senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Develop preliminary project schedules and identify milestones.
• Track bid results and market conditions to improve bidding.
• Maintain estimating data for company-wide standardization.

Skills

Estimating experience

Microsoft Office

Estimating software

Scheduling tools

Construction accounting

Leadership

Strategic analysis

Communication

Reading plans

Organization

Education

Bachelor's degree in construction management/civil engineering

Valid driver’s license

Tools

HCSS HeavyBid/HeavyJob

AGTEK

Bluebeam

JD Edwards

Job description

Simon is a subsidiary of Colas USA with operations throughout Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming. We specialize in aggregate, asphalt, and ready-mix concrete materials production, with expert teams providing high-quality asphalt paving, concrete, bridge, and utility construction services. Through strong local ties backed by global resources, we focus on quality and value to deliver the best products and services for our clients. What we do is bigger than construction - it is about connecting communities, building new roads to the future, and keeping the spirit of the pioneers alive and well.

The Colas USA Family of Companies provides competitive pay, outstanding benefits, career advancement opportunities, professional education, and extensive training for every employee. We pride ourselves on upholding the highest standards of safety, environmental conservation, and ethical conduct as we strive to grow our infrastructure products and services through empowering and developing our people, fostering innovation, utilizing new technology, and maximizing vertical integration at all levels of the company's value chain.

Job Summary:

Leads the estimating function by analyzing market conditions, identifying and pursuing bid opportunities, and directing the preparation of accurate, competitive cost estimates and proposals for complex construction projects. This role provides strategic oversight of bidding activities, mentors and develops estimating staff, and collaborates with executive leadership and project teams.

Position can be based out of our Cheyenne, WY or Fort Collins, CO location as well.

Main Responsibilities:

• Embrace the Company's safety culture, actively support all safety initiatives, and adhere to defined accountabilities implemented by the Safety Steering and Continuous Improvement teams
• Support, promote, and practice the Company core values, vision, and mission; follow code of ethics, workplace conduct, safety, and other established policies
• Monitor owner agencies, municipalities, and private client capital improvement programs to identify and pursue strategic bidding opportunities.
• Maintain and manage the construction department's estimating pipeline, including active pursuits and upcoming opportunities.
• Oversee, prioritize, and direct all estimating activities to ensure bids are accurately prepared, reviewed, and submitted on schedule.
• Lead, mentor, and develop estimating staff through training, workload management, performance coaching, and succession planning.
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and estimators to support estimating strategy, risk assessment, pricing, and constructability reviews.
• Participate in project setup meetings and bid-to-project handoffs to ensure continuity from estimate through execution.
• Ensure company estimating standards, best practices, and standardized procedures are consistently applied across all bids.
• Perform detailed quantity takeoffs for complex scopes of work and review or audit takeoffs completed by others for accuracy and completeness.
• Lead communication with subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors to obtain pricing, clarify scope, and evaluate value-engineering opportunities.
• Lead and participate in bid review meetings and present estimates, assumptions, and pricing strategies to senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Develop preliminary project schedules, identify critical milestones, assess risks, and evaluate alternate construction approaches.
• Track and analyze bid results, market conditions, competitor activity, and project performance; provide recommendations to support bidding and estimating improvements.
• Maintain estimating data and support companywide standardization initiatives for bidding and estimating processes.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record required.

Skills:

• 10+ years of progressive construction estimating experience required, including asphalt paving, underground utilities, sitework, concrete, and/or bridge construction; heavy highway and municipal construction experience strongly preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook), project estimating and bidding software, scheduling tools, and construction accounting systems; experience with HCSS HeavyBid/HeavyJob, AGTEK, Bluebeam, and JD Edwards a plus.
• Proven ability to lead, manage, mentor, and develop high-performing estimating teams.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and financial acumen with the ability to assess risk, pricing strategy, and market conditions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and professionally.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex construction plans, specifications, schedules, and financial data.
• Strong organizational, planning, and decision-making skills in a deadline-driven environment.

Physical Requirements:

• Wears and maintains required PPE (personal protective equipment) to ensure safe performance of job responsibilities as required.
• Regularly lifts and/or moves up to 50 pounds with or without assistance to handle documents, equipment, and materials needed to support office and field-related operations.
• Regularly uses hands to feel, handle, and manipulate objects, write, and operate a keyboard and/or mobile device to complete administrative tasks, documentation, and communication duties.
• Regularly communicates (talks and hears) and uses visual acuity to exchange information, coordinate work, and review documents and plans necessary for project oversight.
• Regularly operates a vehicle to travel to and from work sites to perform inspections, attend meetings, and support project activities.
• Regularly sits for long periods at a desk using a computer to perform administrative, planning, and reporting responsibilities.
• Frequently stands or works on feet for extended periods and walks across uneven terrain to navigate construction sites safely.
• Frequently stands, walks, sits, reaches, and stoops, kneels, crouches, or crawls to access work areas and complete required tasks.
• Frequently works in environments that may include loud noise, moving equipment, dust, or varying indoor/outdoor conditions depending on operational needs.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings, and weekends; overnight travel may be required.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Compensation*: $130,000.00-$160,000.00 DOE
• Estimated target starting compensation; actual compensation to be determined based on assessment of an individual's qualifications, education, and experience relevant to the role.
• Benefits: All full-time salary employees are eligible to participate in Simon benefits as defined in plan documents. Available benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, term life insurance, supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, 401K with company match, short and long-term disability, flexible spending plan, and education assistance. Other benefits include eight paid holidays, and access to available company discounts.
• The information contained herein is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor are they intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Benefit offerings subject to change.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Colas Inc. and its subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity Employer. For details on the specifics of this commitment, please click here to view the EEO document. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to:

• meet the requirements of the role in which you are applying
• complete any part of the application process
• access or use the online application process and need an alternative method for applying