Director, Estimating

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Lead, mentor, and nurture estimating teams that support projects related to transmission, distribution, substations, gas, and utility infrastructure.

• Develop estimating standards, bid review protocols, and preconstruction best practices within the T&D sector.

• Promote uniformity in the development of estimates, documentation, assumptions, and handoff procedures.

• Enhance team expertise in conceptual estimating, detailed estimating, risk assessment, and proposal formulation.

• Supervise conceptual budgets, EPC estimates, unit-price estimates, negotiated proposals, and competitive bids.

• Examine drawings, engineering packages, specifications, contracts, and client needs to confirm project scope.

• Direct quantity takeoffs, labor evaluations, equipment planning, subcontractor pricing, material costs, and productivity forecasts.

• Verify pricing for transmission lines, substations, distribution networks, underground utilities, foundations, civil works, and renewable interconnections.

• Ensure that indirect costs, escalation, contingency, permitting, environmental requirements, and regional labor factors are included.

• Lead bid/no-bid analysis and opportunity assessment processes.

• Organize estimating review meetings and executive bid strategy discussions.

• Manage proposal timelines, deliverables, and submission requirements.

• Assist in developing pricing strategies based on market trends, client relationships, competition, and operational capacity.

• Engage in client clarifications, scope negotiations, and contract evaluations.

• Analyze historical cost data, production rates, and project results to enhance estimate precision.

• Review profit margins, fee structures, contingencies, and commercial assumptions.

• Identify operational, contractual, schedule, labor, and procurement risks throughout the pursuit phases.

• Assist in forecasting, backlog analysis, and strategic planning efforts.

• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Safety, Procurement, Project Controls, and Business Development teams.

• Ensure a smooth transition from estimating to project execution teams.

• Facilitate project kickoff meetings and discussions to align scope.

• Take part in customer presentations, proposal interviews, and relationship management activities.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline is preferred.

• Over 15 years of progressive estimating experience in utility, power delivery, or heavy civil construction.

• More than 10 years of leadership experience overseeing estimating teams or preconstruction operations.

• In-depth knowledge of transmission lines, substations, distribution systems, utility relocations, and renewable energy interconnections.

• Experience with self-performed construction, subcontractor strategies, equipment costing, and labor productivity assessments.

• Familiarity with utility contracts, EPC delivery models, unit-rate pricing, and design-build methodologies.

• Proficient in Bid2Win, InEight Estimate, Procore, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Excel.

• Strong analytical, negotiation, and executive communication abilities.

• Experience collaborating with investor-owned utilities, municipalities, cooperatives, or renewable developers.

• Awareness of utility clients such as Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Diego Gas & Electric, or similar organizations.

• Knowledge of union labor agreements and regional labor markets.

• Experience with California utility and environmental regulations is preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• 401(k) Plan

• Annual bonus or incentive eligibility

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

• Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance

• Voluntary Life Insurance

• Voluntary Short Term & Long-Term Disability

• Paid time off

• Remote work with occasional travel to project sites, client offices, and regional operations