Estimating Manager (Chief Estimator)

Position Overview

The Estimating Manager (Chief Estimator) leads the electrical construction estimating function and oversees the preparation of accurate, complete, and competitive estimates. This position guides bid strategy, evaluates project opportunities and risks, and develops pricing that supports profitable work and the company’s operational capabilities.

Working closely with company leadership, project management, field operations, purchasing, and customers, the Estimating Manager (Chief Estimator) manages estimating resources, reviews proposals, and ensures a thorough transition of awarded projects to the operations team. This role also develops estimating staff and maintains consistent estimating standards, tools, and cost information.

Key Responsibilities

· Estimating Leadership: Direct the estimating team, assign bid responsibilities, balance workloads, and establish priorities to meet proposal deadlines.

· Opportunity and Bid Strategy: Evaluate prospective projects with leadership, support bid selection decisions, and recommend pricing strategies based on scope, competition, capacity, and risk.

· Estimate Development: Prepare and oversee detailed quantity takeoffs and estimates for labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, and indirect costs. Develop conceptual and budget estimates when design information is limited.

· Scope and Document Review: Review drawings, specifications, addenda, schedules, and bid requirements. Identify scope gaps, conflicts, exclusions, and assumptions, and request clarification before bid submission.

· Labor and Execution Planning: Coordinate with field and project leaders to assess installation methods, sequencing, staffing, productivity, site conditions, and schedule demands. Incorporate applicable union wage rates and labor burdens.

· Vendor and Subcontractor Pricing: Solicit and evaluate quotations, confirm scope coverage, compare pricing and terms, and account for lead times, escalation, and procurement risks.

· Estimate Quality and Risk Review: Review takeoffs, calculations, pricing, allowances, and proposed margins. Assess commercial and execution risks and present significant concerns to leadership before final approval.

· Proposals and Negotiations: Prepare clear proposals with scope, qualifications, alternates, and exclusions. Participate in customer presentations, bid reviews, and negotiations within established approval authority.

· Value Engineering: Identify practical design, material, and installation alternatives that improve cost or constructability while maintaining required performance, quality, and safety.

· Project Turnover: Lead estimating handoff for awarded projects, including budgets, takeoffs, quotations, assumptions, scope commitments, and identified risks.

· Cost Data and Process Improvement: Maintain estimating databases, templates, and historical cost information. Compare estimated costs with actual project results and use findings to improve future estimates.

· Team and Business Development: Coach estimating staff, strengthen collaboration with operations, and build professional relationships with customers, general contractors, suppliers, and subcontractors.

Qualities and Abilities

· Extensive electrical construction estimating experience, including preparation and review of bids for large or complex projects.

· Demonstrated ability to lead an estimating team, manage deadlines, and establish consistent quality standards.

· Strong knowledge of electrical systems, construction methods, materials, installation sequencing, and applicable codes and project requirements.

· Ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications, bid documents, and commercial terms and translate them into a complete estimate.

· Strong understanding of labor units, productivity factors, union wage structures, labor burdens, overhead, contingency, and profit margins.

· Proficiency with electrical estimating software, digital takeoff tools, Microsoft Excel, and other standard business applications.

· Excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, and sound judgment when working with incomplete information or changing project requirements.

· Ability to assess project risks, develop defensible assumptions, and communicate recommendations clearly to leadership.

· Strong written and verbal communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.

· Ability to manage multiple bids, prioritize competing demands, and maintain accuracy under deadline pressure.

· A collaborative leadership approach with the ability to mentor staff and work effectively with project managers and union field personnel.

· A commitment to integrity, confidentiality, safety, and professional conduct throughout the bidding process.

· A combination of relevant education in construction management, engineering, or a related field and progressively responsible electrical estimating or trade experience.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This position primarily works in an office setting, with periodic travel to construction sites, pre-bid meetings, customer offices, and company facilities. Work schedules may vary to meet bid deadlines and business needs, including occasional early mornings, evenings, or weekends.

Site visits may involve exposure to weather, noise, dust, uneven terrain, and active construction equipment. Required personal protective equipment must be worn, and company and site safety procedures must be followed.

Essential duties may require:

· Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer.

· Reviewing detailed drawings, specifications, spreadsheets, and digital takeoffs.

· Standing and walking during site visits and navigating stairs, uneven surfaces, and designated access routes.

· Occasionally bending, reaching, and carrying drawings, project documents, or small equipment.

· Communicating with customers, suppliers, estimating staff, and field personnel in office and construction settings.

Classification & Compensation

This is a full-time, permanent, exempt position.

Salary range varies based on experience, skills, abilities, and length of service with the Company**.**

Equal Opportunity Statement

KW Services, LLC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals. Employment decisions are made based on qualifications, performance, business needs, and other legitimate factors consistent with applicable law.

Pay: $125,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person