Chief Estimator

Company Description:

Keen Project Solutions, LLC is an expert in General Contracting, Construction Management, Engineering, and Millwright Services. We believe smart, motivated teams can do amazing things.

Job Description:

Role Definition 

The Chief Estimator is to be accountable for leading the entire estimating department. This includes hiring, training, and motivating the entire estimating staff. Accountability includes estimate accuracy, risk analysis, consistency of cost data, and development and maintenance of historical cost data. The Chief Estimator reports directly to Vice President. 

PROTECT PEOPLE 

• Reduce the risk to Keen and the client by ensuring that all project estimates are subjected to the appropriate management review. Reviews will provide for a thorough understanding of all budgets and estimates and how they were developed, including trade pricing, productivity, and overall risk analysis. 

• Set and enforce policies and procedures necessary for the operation of the regional estimating department. 

• Effectively manages and assigns workloads to direct reports to take advantage of the strengths of staff, training opportunities, and development of a strong and consistent department ensuring outstanding customer service is delivered on all projects. 

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS  

• Develop a staff of trusted advisors for our clients in the fields of construction cost estimating, about the changing estimating discipline, economic trends, technological innovations, and other factors that affect the construction industry. 

• Establishes and fosters positive long-term relationships with all business partners 

• Mentors/teaches junior estimators all aspects of preconstruction process. 

FOCUS ON END GOALS   

• Provide overall Preconstruction effort oversight and show ability to lead a project team and project solutions through all phases of design. 

• Develop and execute plan for design build projects.  This includes soliciting and contracting design services for projects 

• Prepare estimates for all stages of design from Conceptual through Final Construction Documents (Design/Build, Guaranteed Maximum Price, and Hard Bid diversity). 

• Organize departmental team so that each estimator involved knows responsibilities and deadlines. 

• Participate with the Project Manager in award of all subcontracts and write all subcontracts before turning over to construction team. 

• Draft Owner, Design, and Subcontract agreements. 

• Identify Risks associated with projects and provide recommendation to manage these risks.  

• Demonstrates exceptional presentation and sales skills to assist and serve on RFP/Interview teams for new projects. 

• Foster employee engagement and growth by ensuring all direct reports have development plans and provide for appropriate training and guidance, which benefits both the individual and the company. 

DRIVE INNOVATION  

• Support expansion in existing markets and into new markets by analyzing regional market trends and creating pricing road maps to develop best-in-class estimates 

• Consult with management regularly to maintain a strategic link to business needs, working on multiple bids at any point in time. 

• Drive performance excellence with a culture of integrity, discipline, continuous improvement, and transformation 

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management or equivalent professional experience. 

• Minimum 10 years of proven experience estimating with a Construction Management or General Contracting firm. 

• Proven ability to provide pursuit leadership. 

• Experience in developing competitive build and hard-bid. 

• Experience in developing and implementing value engineering solutions to drive down costs while maintaining quality.  

• Experience in effectively leading preconstruction teams to win work. 

• Certification in Construction Estimating or Project Management Professional preferred.   

• Working knowledge of basic computer programs like Microsoft Office Suite and Outlook, online collaboration tools, and software programs like On-Screen Takeoff and Timberline are beneficial. 

• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies.  

• Experience working in Industrial environments and knowledge of materials, methods, tools, and construction equipment involved in construction/industrial processes. 

• Travel up to 25% or as needed, by air and ground. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• Sedentary strength demands include exerting up to 10 pounds occasionally or negligible weights frequently; sitting most of the time.  

• Continuously requires vision, hearing, twisting, and talking.  

• Frequently requires standing, fine dexterity, sitting, and handling.  

• Occasionally requires walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, kneeling, pushing/pulling, bending, and crouching.  

• Rarely requires climbing.