Senior Estimator

The Weitz Company • Des Moines, IA

36d

About The Position

The Weitz Company is seeking a Senior Estimator to join its Mission Critical team in Des Moines, Iowa. The Senior Estimator reviews estimates for accuracy, detail, and alignment with expectations, and develops comprehensive project scopes and cost estimates based on plans, requirements, and specifications. The role involves estimating labor, equipment, and materials through production-based or unit-price methods, analyzing local market conditions, and coordinating with subcontractors, suppliers, project teams, and operations.

The position also prepares and reviews takeoffs, pricing sheets, bid analyses, proposals, and estimate data in WinEst. The Senior Estimator assesses project conditions and risks, plans for safety, evaluates building systems and schedules, and uses conceptual estimating to identify complete system requirements that may not appear in the construction documents. The role includes some post-bid buyout work and presentations with subcontractors and suppliers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited program in Engineering, Construction Management, Building Construction, or a similar field.
• Seven years of estimating responsibility.
• Excellent conceptual estimating skills, including the ability to identify complete system requirements not delineated in construction documents.
• Ability to mentally schedule and construct a building from drawings.
• Excellent computer skills and ability to learn, articulate, and apply new applications.
• Ability to communicate professionally and courteously with clients, architects, subcontractors, suppliers, and project teams.
• Organization, creative thinking, and ability to balance and prioritize projects with impending deadlines.
• Strong communication skills and a record of providing accurate estimating services.
• Ability to compare and analyze systems and related cost impacts.
• Ability to read, understand, and interpret contract documents, drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and project schedules.
• Extensive knowledge of estimating documents and ability to provide accurate qualitative and quantitative document analysis.
• Conceptual ability to work with minimal information and quickly understand owner and architect requirements.
• Ability to manage competing demands and meet established deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to learn job-related software after hire.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with formal presentations.
• Experience supervising staff.
• Knowledge of On-Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam, or similar quantity takeoff software.

Responsibilities

• Review estimates for accuracy, detail, and alignment with expectations.
• Review project plans, requirements, and specifications to develop project understanding, scope of work, and labor and equipment costs.
• Prepare quantity takeoffs and price scopes using self-perform production-based estimates or unit-price estimating.
• Contact building trades, subcontractors, suppliers, and government offices to verify local market conditions, trade practices, and costs.
• Analyze manpower and equipment requirements for self-perform operations.
• Visit project sites to evaluate existing conditions and identify scope not included in design documents.
• Prepare quantity surveys and unit-pricing sheets for subcontractors.
• Prepare bid-analysis scope sheets and review subcontractor proposals for completeness.
• Prepare and enter estimate data, breakdowns, and alternates in WinEst.
• Prepare trade partner bid proposal forms and bid recording sheets; evaluate trade partner input, identify scope gaps and overlaps, and coordinate with staff managing other trades.
• Understand the impact of general conditions and contract language and review them with the project team.
• Coordinate building systems and schedules with Operations to plan and budget for project safety.
• Use conceptual estimating skills to identify items needed for complete systems, including items not outlined in construction documents.
• Make timely decisions, determine when to involve upper management, and assess associated risks and consequences.
• Understand client needs, manage the estimating process efficiently, and account for schedules, local logistics, subcontractor and supplier markets, and potential BIM, LEED, and LEAN use.
• Prioritize safety and communicate safety requirements to the team.
• Assist with certain post-bid buyouts.
• Initiate and participate in meet-and-greet presentations with subcontractors and suppliers.

Benefits

• Competitive pay.
• Rewarding bonus program.
• Comprehensive benefits package with tax-advantaged HSA and FSA offerings.
• Employer-paid short- and long-term disability programs.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Generous paid time off.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Fully paid parental leave.
• Voluntary critical illness and accident insurance.
• Corporate wellness program with wellness time off and rewards.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior