Chief Estimator

Baker Construction•Charlotte, NC

About The Position

The Chief Estimator plans, directs, and coordinates estimating activities for heavy construction and EPC projects. The role reviews, analyzes, and interprets contract documents—including specifications, drawings, and reference information—to develop detailed, comprehensive cost estimates for projects across the company’s markets. The Chief Estimator also makes experience-based assumptions for front-end estimates when detailed plans are unavailable and conceptual-level designs are used. This position is accountable for all estimates issued and supports estimating department procedures and systems. The role includes leading an estimating department of multidisciplinary estimators, coordinating with proposal and project execution personnel, and traveling as needed for pre-bid and job-site visits and to support projects under execution.

Requirements

15 years of experience.
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as engineering, construction, or business, or equivalent work experience.
In-depth construction industry experience leading a contractor estimating function.
Broad knowledge and experience in EPC and construction estimating practices and methods.
Extensive experience understanding project scope, leading quantity takeoffs, statistical analysis, and cost analysis; skilled in understanding technical discipline processes and knowledgeable about engineering and construction codes and standards.
Knowledge of various contract forms and how to align estimates with each type, such as Lump Sum Firm Fixed Price, Time and Material, and Cost Plus Fixed Fee.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) and estimating software such as Timberline/Sage.
Mathematical proficiency to build estimates, create calculation formulas, and validate estimate accuracy.
Extensive knowledge and demonstrated experience with pre-construction estimating and construction support for power and process industry projects.
Ability to perform material and quantity takeoffs from engineered drawings and apply historical and current market unit rates, labor estimates, productivity rates, and other inputs to develop complete estimates.
Experience and capability managing an estimating department of subordinate multidisciplinary estimators.
Professional demeanor and ability to communicate and present complex issues to management, customers, subcontractors, and other third parties.

Responsibilities

Review owner plans and specifications, understand project scope, and develop a construction plan as the basis for the estimate.
Build relationships with subcontractors and vendors and obtain pricing for materials and labor.
Prepare cost analyses for materials, labor, equipment, subcontractor, and overhead costs.
Communicate observed inaccuracies or omissions in quotes or contract items to the proposal team.
Review bid and contract documents with the legal department.
Conduct site investigations before developing a plan of operations to identify unusual conditions or problems.
Develop and maintain historical data for geographic areas, labor rates and union labor specifics, installation rates, equipment and material pricing, contingency, and escalation.
Use appropriate estimating methods, processes, procedures, estimate types, classifications, and components.
Incorporate commercial terms and conditions—including contractor relationships, currency exchange, taxation, inflation, insurance, and escalation—into estimates.
Account for project cash flows and the time value of money as the cost of working capital.
Lead the formulation of project Risk and Opportunity registers for estimates.
Chair Risk/Contingency and Opportunity workshops with proposal and project execution personnel to recommend estimate contingency amounts.
Travel as necessary for pre-bid and job-site visits and to support projects under execution.
Manage an estimating department of subordinate multidisciplinary estimators.
Ensure estimates are issued and support estimating department procedures and systems.