Chief Estimator

Blue Ridge Executive Search•New York City, NY

About The Position

The Chief Estimator heads the building group and oversees the estimating team within a group, office, or region. The role develops and implements estimating business plans and activities, and manages the estimate deliverable process from the initial client meeting through final client acceptance. Projects are in the Greater New York City Area, with offices in Mount Vernon. The Chief Estimator is accountable for the quality and integrity of the team’s estimates. The position reviews estimate bases and assumptions, audits estimating functions, incorporates lessons learned, and helps establish or update estimating policies, standards, procedures, and training programs. It also leads estimate planning and execution, manages staffing and workforce plans, presents estimates to senior management and clients, and supports proposal strategy, bid evaluation, risk assessment, cash flow modeling, and working capital analysis.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or construction management.
At least 15 years of experience in estimating, planning, or cost engineering on engineering, procurement, and construction projects, including MEP and general construction.
Extensive knowledge of general construction, trades, and construction practices.
Understanding and working knowledge of New York contracting agencies.
Previous field experience on large-scale construction projects valued at $500 million or more.
Demonstrated leadership and ability to manage an estimating team.
Ability to establish an achievable estimate plan and manage estimate development from inception through completion.
Ability to establish conceptual estimate and study scopes when definition is unavailable, using experience and judgment to address undefined scope.
Expertise in estimate quality and integrity, including incorporating lessons learned.
Strong articulation, analytical problem-solving, decision-making, technical writing, and communication skills.
Experience collaborating on proposal strategies with project or proposal managers and joint venture partners, as applicable.
Experience evaluating bids using cost and schedule criteria and preparing bid evaluations.
Experience identifying risks, assessing uncertainties in productivity, material pricing, wage rates, and quantity variation, and participating in mitigation planning.
Analytical and quantitative skills to assess estimates and compare them with historical project performance.
Experience reviewing and recommending approval of major estimates.
Experience preparing, reviewing, and approving cash flow models and working capital analyses.
Demonstrated ability to lead or direct management review discussions and present estimates to senior management and clients.
Demonstrated expert knowledge of estimating, cost engineering, and scheduling processes and systems.
Knowledge of engineering, procurement, and construction functions acquired through extensive construction-industry experience.
Experience using Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, and PowerBI to analyze and present estimating and project performance data.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of or experience with Timberline, Navisworks, P6, and Revit.

Responsibilities

Lead and direct the estimating team within a group, office, or region.
Develop and implement estimating business plans and activities.
Organize and manage estimate deliverables from the initial client meeting through final client acceptance.
Manage estimate development from inception to completion, including establishing the estimate plan, budget, and preliminary schedule and leading the team’s execution.
Assign and manage project staffing levels and workforce plans, and teach workforce planning.
Price self-performed scopes using manhours, crews, and production.
Ensure the quality and integrity of estimates produced by the team; audit estimating functions and review estimate bases and assumptions for completeness and reasonableness.
Incorporate lessons learned into estimates.
Collaborate on proposal strategies with project managers, proposal managers, and joint venture partners, as applicable.
Evaluate bids against cost and schedule criteria and prepare bid evaluations; participate in vendor and senior-leadership pricing discussions as needed.
Identify risks, assess estimate uncertainties, and participate in mitigation planning.
Prepare, review, and approve cash flow models and working capital analyses.
Lead or direct management review discussions and present estimates to senior management and clients.
Establish or update estimating policies, standards, procedures, and training programs, including providing input to WDF’s Estimating Department and adhering to applicable national business-unit policies.
Develop and conduct estimating training programs, including curricula and presentation of material.