Chief Estimator

Department: Estimating

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Charleston, SC

Reporting To: Division Manager

The Chief Estimator is the senior leader of the estimating function and primary member of the preconstruction team responsible for developing budgets, cost estimates, bid strategies, and pricing for heavy civil construction projects. Based in the Charlotte, NC office, the Chief Estimator oversees the estimating process for projects bid and awarded in the division and ensures standardized procedures, methods, and processes are consistently applied throughout all estimating activities.

This role provides strategic direction for estimating operations, including self-performed work, subcontractor procurement, cost database management, bid management systems, and estimating software. The Chief Estimator directs the analysis of historical project performance, establishes estimating standards based on production and cost data, and collaborates with operations leadership to develop competitive and executable project approaches. The Chief Estimator has the final authority on estimating procedures, methodologies, bid strategies, and personnel decisions for assigned projects.

This position maintains department standards for bid packages, deliverable formats, conceptual budgets, estimating tools, and cost reporting systems while leading the implementation of best practices across the division.

Work Environment:
This position primarily operates in a professional office environment and requires regular collaboration with estimating, operations, project management, division leadership, risk management, marketing, subcontractors, suppliers, engineers, owners, and customers. The role may require attending pre-bid meetings, site visits, project reviews, industry networking events, and customer meetings. Travel to project sites may be required to evaluate existing conditions, construction logistics, access constraints, and project risks.

Success in this position requires strong leadership, attention to detail, organization, communication, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills in a fast‑paced heavy civil construction environment.

• Leads the estimating process for projects bid and awarded in the division while ensuring consistent use of standardized estimating procedures, methods, and processes.
• Establishes estimating strategies, bid selection criteria, and pricing methodologies that support divisional growth objectives and market competitiveness.
• Directs the analysis of past project performance, production rates, labor efficiencies, equipment utilization, and cost trends to establish estimating standards for future work.
• Oversees and maintains historical cost databases, bid management systems, estimating software, and other preconstruction tools.
• Partners with the Division Manager to maintain department standards for deliverables, including bid packages, deliverable formats, conceptual budgets, and budget tracking tools.
• Coordinates the estimating team, software, and other resources required to effectively perform estimating functions.
• Recruits, mentors, develops, and evaluates estimating personnel while promoting continuous improvement and professional growth within the department.
• Assigns estimating team responsibilities for each project to support clear ownership and accountability.
• Reviews project plans, specifications, geotechnical reports, and contract documents to ensure complete scope coverage and accurate pricing assumptions.
• Leads pricing efforts for self‑performed heavy civil construction activities including earthwork, grading, excavation, underground utilities, concrete, structures, paving, and related infrastructure work.
• Develops and validates…