What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Estimator position at LHH?
Position Summary: The Lead Estimator will provide and coordinate full estimating services on large, complex heavy civil opportunities in Texas. This role involves managing bid/proposal preparation with a team of estimating staff, including estimators, support administrators, and the management team. The Lead Estimator and their team will follow up on bid proposals with value engineering alternates, CPM schedules, formal presentations, and final negotiations with clients and construction managers. The Lead Estimator is expected to bid/manage approximately 25-50 estimates per year, ranging from $5,000,000 to $100,000,000 per estimate.
Responsibilities:
- Set up bid items and activities, enter summary form data, price bids, close out bids, and schedule bids.
- Review and incorporate historical data from productivity analysis reports, combining manpower, equipment, material quotations, and subcontractor proposals into unit price and man-hour estimate figures.
- Provide complete conceptual budgets and final estimating input on all projects.
- Offer technical support to personnel preparing discipline estimates for assigned bids.
- Review proposal specifications and drawings, attend pre-bid meetings, etc., to determine the scope of work and required contents of the estimate.
- Prepare for and attend all scope meetings with clients and construction managers.
- Prepare for and present value engineering and CPM schedules to clients and construction managers.
- Lead all formal presentations and final negotiations with clients and construction managers.
- Maintain Heavy Bid (labor, crew, activity, and bid master codebooks).
- Transfer bid to project data (phase codes and cost budgeting) on awarded contracts.
- Ensure all working documents and data are maintained to back up estimate figures.
- Provide award-related submittals and follow-up information to clients and construction managers.
- Track awarded contracts as required, including estimating/pricing extra work items, change orders, and credits.
- Assist the contracting team during the preparation of inquiries and final evaluation of submitted bids as required.
- Coordinate with Business Development as part of strategic growth plans.
- Train and mentor Junior Estimators.
Qualifications:
- A 4-year engineering degree or equivalent combinations of technical training and/or related experience.
- 10 years of estimating, cost control, and/or engineering experience in construction, including a minimum of 3 years in a Senior or Lead Estimator role.
- Experience in Design Build and/or Best Value contracts is preferred.
- Ability to estimate all types of projects/contracts and coordinate and supervise group work efforts is essential.
- Must have the ability to prepare complex proposals with principal oversight. The incumbent has profit/loss responsibility to the company.
- Specialty experience in heavy civil/foundation demolition and excavation, support of excavation, drilling, concrete and/or site utilities, TXDOT, and other local agency infrastructure improvements.
Software Skills:
- Microsoft Office applications
- HCSS (including Heavy Bid/Heavy Job)
- Scheduling software/CPM (including Primavera and MS Project)
- Viewpoint (PM module, SL module, PO module)
- Strong technical and proposal writing skills
- Strong skills with personal digital devices
- Salesforce
- OSHA Training
Reports to: Regional Director, Director of Estimating and Pre-Construction
