Chief Estimator

Industry: Construction - Wastewater Work Locations acceptable : Austin, TX; Denver, CO; or perhaps other metro locations. Position Summary: Our client, a PE-backed leading provider in the water and wastewater industry is hiring a Chief Estimator. The Chief Estimator will lead the charge of estimating and working with design engineers, clients, subcontractors, and vendors to assemble successful bids to build water and water treatment systems across the nation. S/he will track and assemble incoming bids to create a comprehensive bid package that addresses the full scale and scope of the project. The successful candidate will also maintain relationships with potential clients and subcontractors for future opportunities. Water and wastewater industry experience is a plus, but not mandatory. Absolute Minimum Must Haves / Experience / Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field required. MBA is a plus 10 years of experience in construction estimating (water, wastewater, or heavy civil infrastructure projects preferred) Proven track record of leading estimating teams in projects within the targeted range of $2 million to $20 million. Preferred Experience: Wastewater or Water experience Core Responsibilities Lead and oversee all estimating activities, including proposal submissions, subcontractor solicitation, and project estimation for complex waste and wastewater projects. Develop and implement standardized estimating procedures and best practices for the estimating department. Collaborate with engineering, procurement, and project management teams to align estimating efforts with project requirements and timelines. Oversee digital and manual quantity takeoffs for various project scopes, ensuring accuracy and completeness. Develop and maintain a robust network of vendors, suppliers, and subcontractors to secure competitive pricing for project estimates. Communicate regularly with trade partners, internal teams, and clients regarding ongoing and prospective projects. Prepare detailed and comprehensive estimates for all phases of project development, from preliminary to final bid stages. Ensure timely completion of estimates and bid tabulations, maintaining organized records for future reference. Evaluate the scope of work to identify critical tasks, potential risks, and value-engineering opportunities. Negotiate bid pricing with vendors and subcontractors to achieve cost efficiencies while maintaining quality standards. Provide mentorship and guidance to junior estimators, helping develop their technical and analytical skills. Manage the estimating team’s workload, ensuring efficient allocation of resources across multiple projects. Primary Responsibilities Coordinate closely with field operations to understand workload capacity, availability, and suitability for taking on additional work. Analyze and interpret job specifications, construction methods, and site conditions to determine accurate cost impacts. Accurately forecast costs for both self-performed and subcontracted scopes, incorporating contingency and risk assessments. Foster and maintain strong, professional relationships with vendors and trade partners to enhance reliability and pricing competitiveness. Gather, organize, and review project documentation, including blueprints, specifications, and regulatory requirements. Assemble, review, and submit competitive, accurate, and comprehensive bids for prospective projects. Conduct pre-bid and post-bid meetings to review project requirements, clarify scope, and align team members. Prepare cost and bid analysis reports for senior management, highlighting cost drivers, risks, and potential value engineering ideas. Review bid results, debrief with stakeholders, and adjust future estimates based on lessons learned and performance feedback. Collaborate with financial and project controls teams to align project budgets with estimates and manage cost forecasts throughout project execution. Secondary Responsibilities Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients to understand upcoming project opportunities and provide strategic input on project feasibility. Support business development efforts by providing strategic guidance on estimating and pricing during the sales process. Monitor project schedules and job start dates to ensure resource availability and workflow consistency. Develop and maintain a cost database for historical data, labor, materials, and equipment to improve estimating accuracy over time. Conduct regular reviews and updates of estimating tools, software, and resources to ensure they align with industry standards. Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for estimating activities, tracking accuracy, timeliness, and cost savings. Represent the estimating function in strategic planning sessions, contributing insights on market trends, cost impacts, and resource planning. Stay informed on industry developments, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies in waste and wastewater construction to improve estimating accuracy and efficiency.