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Commercial Utilities LLC · Baltimore, Maryland
Chief Estimator
Commercial Utilities LLC
Department:
Operations
Reports To:
Vice President -Internal Operations
DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia)
Position Summary
Lead and manage the estimating department, including workload planning, bid assignments, staffing needs, and performance expectations.
Mentor and develop estimators, providing technical guidance, reviewing work, and strengthening team capabilities.
Establish standards for estimate preparation, documentation, quality control, and bid review.
Identify and source bidding opportunities that align with the company’s capabilities, resources, service area, and financial goals.
Build relationships with customers, general contractors, developers, engineers, and other industry partners to generate repeat business and new opportunities.
Lead bid/no-bid evaluations with executive leadership, considering project scope, customer relationships, competition, risk, capacity, and potential profitability.
Oversee the preparation and submission of complete, accurate, and competitive bid proposals.
Prepare detailed estimates for complex or strategically important projects and provide estimating support as workload requires.
Review quantity takeoffs, labor production rates, equipment requirements, material pricing, subcontractor quotes, indirect costs, and proposed margins.
Confirm that bids address applicable specifications, addenda, submission requirements, exclusions, and qualifications.
Lead final bid reviews and obtain required internal approvals before submission.
Identify and evaluate project risks and opportunities, including site conditions, access, existing utilities, geotechnical conditions, restoration requirements, scheduling constraints, and contractual obligations.
Develop appropriate contingencies, clarifications, and risk mitigation strategies.
Evaluate alternative construction methods, materials, sequencing, and value engineering opportunities.
Direct the preparation of cost estimates for underground utility projects, including water, sewer, storm drain, electrical, telecommunications, and associated civil work.
Review plans, specifications, geotechnical reports, and contract documents to establish scope and identify gaps or conflicts.
Validate construction methods, crew compositions, production rates, equipment usage, and project durations with field and operations personnel.
Maintain reliable historical cost data, pricing databases, and estimating benchmarks.
Build and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and customers.
Expand and evaluate the company’s subcontractor and supplier network.
Oversee quote solicitation and scope comparisons to identify omissions, overlaps, and pricing inconsistencies.
Work closely with project managers, engineers, procurement, and field leadership to align estimates with project requirements and execution plans.
Participate in pre-bid meetings, site visits, and customer presentations.
Lead estimating handoff meetings for awarded projects, clearly communicating scope, budgets, assumptions, exclusions, risks, and commitments.
Ensure estimates contain complete and organized records of takeoffs, quotes, assumptions, calculations, and bid decisions.
Report on estimating workload, bid results, award rates, backlog opportunities, and other relevant performance measures.
Review estimated costs against actual project performance with operations to improve future estimates.
Improve estimating processes, templates, databases, and quality control procedures to increase accuracy and efficiency.
Stay informed about industry trends, construction methods, technologies, and jurisdictional requirements.
Evaluate and implement appropriate estimating technologies, including AI tools, while maintaining confidentiality and verifying accuracy.
Promote accountability, collaboration, and continued learning within the estimating team.
Demonstrated expertise in estimating underground utility and related civil construction projects.
Proven ability to lead estimating teams and manage multiple simultaneous bids of varying size and complexity.
Strong understanding of construction means and methods, labor production rates, equipment utilization, and project cost structures.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, geotechnical reports, and contract documents.
Thorough understanding of specifications and requirements across multiple jurisdictions within the company’s service area.
Demonstrated ability to evaluate project opportunities, assess risk, and develop competitive pricing that supports profitability.
Willingness to evaluate and use AI products and other technologies to improve estimating performance.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field preferred.
An equivalent combination of relevant construction experience, estimating expertise, and demonstrated leadership may be considered.
Experience
Minimum of 10 years of progressive estimating experience in underground utility or heavy civil construction, including at least 5 years in a senior estimating or estimating leadership role.
Experience estimating water, sewer, storm drain, electrical, and telecommunications projects.
Valid driver’s license for required site visits and pre-bid meetings.
Skills & Competencies
Strong proficiency with estimating software and tools, such as HCSS HeavyBid and Bluebeam.
Strong leadership, coaching, and delegation abilities.
Sound business judgment and the ability to balance competitiveness, risk, and profitability.
Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet bid deadlines.
Ability to adopt new technologies and critically review their output.
Physical
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to work at a computer for extended periods while preparing estimates and reviewing project documents.
Frequent use of standard office equipment, including computers, keyboards, phones, and printers.
Ability to review detailed construction plans, specifications, and technical documents.
Occasional walking and standing during site visits, pre-bid meetings, and project walkthroughs.
Ability to navigate uneven terrain and active construction sites during field visits.
Ability to lift and carry documents, plans, and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds occasionally.
Work Environment
This position is primarily performed in an office setting, with periodic travel to project sites and customer meetings.
Office-based estimating, management, and administrative work.
Site visits to active underground utility and civil construction projects.
Exposure to noise, dust, heavy equipment operations, and changing weather conditions during field visits.
Frequent interaction with executive leadership, estimators, project managers, engineers, field personnel, subcontractors, suppliers, and customers.
A fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines and competing bid schedules.
Schedule
Full-time position.
Typically Monday through Friday during standard business hours.
Additional hours are required as necessary to meet bid deadlines and business needs.
Occasional site visits, pre-bid meetings, and customer meetings are required.
Limited travel within the company’s service area may be necessary.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Commercial Utilities LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status.
Details
| Company | Commercial Utilities LLC |
| Location | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Type | FULL TIME |
| Niche | Full-time |