Chief Estimator

Job Title: Chief Estimator

Reports To: VP of Operations

Position Summary:

Reporting to the VP. Operations, the role is responsible for leading Whissell’s estimating function and overseeing the preparation of competitive, accurate, and comprehensive estimates for civil construction projects. This role provides direction to the estimating team, reviews project opportunities, develops budgets and bids, and works closely with Operations, Project Management, and Senior Leadership to support successful project pursuits. The Chief Estimator plays a key role in identifying opportunities, managing estimating processes, mentoring estimators, and ensuring estimates align with Whissell’s operational capabilities, risk profile, and business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead market analysis for each of Whissell’s major markets including market size by segment and market share of competitors and various market segments including industrial projects, municipal and government segments, private development segments
• Lead market analysis of Whissell’s end user clients including land developers, municipal governments, consultants and civil general contractors
• Collaborate with local area General Managers to develop, implement and audit estimating systems, processes and procedures for Whissell
• Ensure that all project risks, contractual terms, and constructability issues are identified and discussed with senior leadership
• Develop and implement a contract review process in collaboration with the Contracts Administrator
• Develop a bid strategy for bids to win work and maximize profitability
• Work with General Managers and estimators on bid day to review and finalize bids
• Work with General Managers to develop and implement training strategies and succession planning for the estimating team
• Collaborate with General Managers to manage overall estimating team utilization
• Investigate new technologies for estimating departments
• Develop, implement and audit the project handoff meetings from estimating to operations
• Manage subcontractor and vendor relationships to grow our subcontractor and vendor base in the different geographic areas and vertical market areas of focus
• Create and implement a prequalification process, as well as a subcontractor and vendor grading and feedback process
• Create process, structure and best practices to improve our subcontractor coverage, bid scoping, and overall estimate development
• Develop a conceptual estimating database to support the faster creation of accurate conceptual cost estimates in a timelier manner
• Lead implementation, maintenance and update to the B2W suite of software for estimating and project tracking with the Whissell IT department
• Work with Business Development to create and manage client’s expectations of the project cost, timeline, design requirements and quality
• Retain consultants to support due diligence & schematic design development to understand overall project feasibility, timeline and cost for our clients. These consultants would include engineering consultants, environmental consultants, financial consultants and legal consultants based on the complexity of the design-build project.
• Lead the submission of Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and Request for Proposals (RFP) responses in collaboration with Business Development
• Participate in industry networking organizations and events to develop new strategic relationships with clients and network partners
• Manage relationships with key owners, and consultants to create a pipeline of project leads
• Participate in strategic marketing and sales meetings to identify strategic accounts and help set direction for future business development and marketing efforts
• Actively participate with General Managers on which opportunities the company wants to pursue and create strategies to win these opportunities
• Participate on the leadership team to discuss all company concerns, employee issues, departmental discussions, and continuous improvement.
• Implement the company business planning efforts throughout the calendar year
• Contribute to corporate business planning, including: Financial Goals, Company Strategy, & Business Process Improvement Initiatives
• Develop a quarterly Whissell Corporate report for senior executives to provide information on bidding activity, opportunities and competitor market share
• Whissell reserves the right to add or change any responsibilities of this position as required

Qualifications & Experience:

• CET, Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or bachelor’s degree in a related field
• 10 years of estimating experience in the Heavy Civil Construction Industry
• Able to read and analyze blueprints, create quotes and cost estimates is essential
• Intermediate proficiency in the MS Office suite
• Experience using BlueBeam and B2W software programs is preferred
• Previous experience in a leadership role is preferred

Competencies:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrates strong leadership skills including coaching and mentoring
• Strong conflict management skills
• Strong time management and ability to prioritize