We are working with an established utility and infrastructure construction company that is expanding into a new commercial division.
They are looking to appoint a Director of Estimating to lead the development of the new commercial estimating function while bringing a strong understanding of substation and transmission infrastructure construction.
This is an opportunity for an experienced estimating leader who understands both the technical requirements of utility infrastructure projects and the commercial construction market, and who wants to build an estimating function rather than simply inherit one.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
- Build and lead a new commercial estimating division.
- Significant influence over the division's processes, strategy and growth.
- Work directly with senior leadership on commercial opportunities.
- Establish estimating systems, standards and best practices.
- Develop and eventually lead an estimating team.
- Help identify new markets, opportunities and clients.
- Join an established contractor with a strong track record in utility and infrastructure construction.
- Remote or Dallas-Fort Worth based, depending on preference.
The Role
You will take ownership of the commercial preconstruction and estimating function while drawing on the company's established expertise in substation and transmission construction.
Responsibilities will include:
- Building and developing the commercial estimating function.
- Establishing estimating processes, procedures, templates and standards.
- Developing conceptual, preliminary and final estimates.
- Reviewing drawings, specifications, scopes and contract documents.
- Managing quantity take-offs, cost analysis and bid development.
- Developing subcontractor and supplier relationships and obtaining competitive pricing.
- Maintaining cost databases and historical estimating information.
- Identifying project risks, exclusions, assumptions and opportunities.
- Working with Operations and senior leadership to develop competitive and achievable bids.
- Supporting value engineering and alternative construction approaches.
- Reviewing estimates prior to submission and presenting bids to senior leadership.
- Helping establish target markets and bidding strategy for the new division.
- Developing and mentoring estimators as the division grows.
What We're Looking For
The successful candidate will have a strong combination of estimating leadership and utility infrastructure experience.
Essentially, we are looking for someone with:
- 10+ years of construction estimating experience.
- Previous experience at Senior Estimator, Chief Estimator, Estimating Manager or Director level.
- Significant estimating experience within substation and/or transmission line construction.
- Strong understanding of substation civil construction, foundations and site development.
- Experience estimating work such as drilled shafts, piers, piles, foundations, excavation, grading, underground utilities, grounding and conduit.
- Understanding of the construction requirements, costs and risks associated with utility infrastructure projects.
- Experience developing estimates from conceptual through final bid stage.
- Strong knowledge of subcontractor procurement, cost analysis and bid leveling.
- Experience developing estimating processes, systems and standards.
- The commercial awareness to assess opportunities and develop competitive bids.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work with senior leadership, clients, subcontractors and operations teams.
- Experience building, managing or mentoring an estimating team.
Experience estimating turnkey substation projects, transmission infrastructure or other power-delivery construction would be particularly valuable.
Commercial, industrial, data center or other technically complex construction experience would also be beneficial.
You'll Get to Expand Your Experience In
This is an opportunity for an experienced utility estimating professional to move into a role with greater commercial and strategic responsibility.
Rather than taking over an established estimating department, you will help build the function, establish the processes, develop the team and play a key role in shaping the new commercial division.
You'll also be joining a contractor with established capabilities across substations, transmission infrastructure, drilled shafts, foundations, piles, sitework and other utility-related civil construction.
The position can be performed remotely or from the company's Dallas-Fort Worth office.
If you're a Chief Estimator, Estimating Manager or Director-level professional with strong substation and transmission estimating experience and want the opportunity to build a new division, this could be an interesting next step.
