Job Details

The Senior Estimator plays a key role in setting the project up for success by ensuring all probable costs and preconstruction considerations have been reviewed and included in the estimate. By doing so, the project team is better able to manage the project, relationships, and secure more work through excellent performance. The Senior Estimator prepares comprehensive estimates and budgets by collaborating with trade partners and vendors, performing quantity take-offs, and utilizing historical cost data. You bring a strong general knowledge of commercial construction practices and deepen expertise in specific scopes of work. Experience across multiple project types, with mastery in at least one, provides an intuitive understanding of market values and mastery in managing historical data. The successful candidate will act as a Bid Captain for the company's largest, most complex projects (up to $100 million) and supervise or support the Estimating Team, focusing on assigned scopes and managing all aspects.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Lead by example and embody PETRA's Culture and Core Values, promoting the company's Vision and Mission.
• Work with colleagues to understand project objectives and success metrics, communicate them effectively, and ensure they are achieved.
• Research current industry trends, new materials, methods, and costs.
• Survey proposed project sites for logistics and suitability, adjusting estimates accordingly.
• Create preliminary construction schedules.
• Facilitate hand-off meetings to Operations, providing detailed project history.
• Perform conceptual (ROM) estimates for proposed projects.
• Manage project document control, updating and distributing revisions.
• Collaborate with Risk Management to estimate insurance/security needs and evaluate trade partners and vendors.
• Analyze bids, compare to project requirements, evaluate pricing, and document findings.
• Create and update budgets/estimates as project design progresses, reporting changes to stakeholders.
• Include provisions for safety in estimates.
• Maintain the clarifications and assumptions document, ensuring bid products/materials align with project needs and addressing discrepancies.
• Maintain a database of trade partners and vendors, noting their expertise and capacity.
• Manage pre-bid requests, distribute addendums, and verify inclusion in final bids.
• Lead bid review meetings with the estimating team, operations, and leadership.
• Complete and submit bid proposals to owners and requesting parties.

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES:

• Minimum 5 years of estimating experience in construction; bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or related field preferred, or equivalent experience.
• Proven mastery in project evaluation, estimating, scheduling, and stakeholder communication.
• Expert knowledge of contract types including hard-bid, cost-plus, and GMP.
• Experience negotiating contracts and resolving issues.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting construction documents.
• Research skills, decisiveness, and problem-solving ability.
• Intermediate to expert MS Office skills and cost estimating software proficiency required.
• Experience with bid platforms like Building Connected or SmartBid preferred.
• Deep understanding of construction practices and processes.
• Experience coaching and mentoring team members.
• High ethical standards, transparency, and fairness.
• OSHA 10-hour and CPR/First Aid certification required.
• Organized, reliable, punctual, team-oriented, and able to maintain confidentiality.
• Self-starter capable of managing timelines and deadlines.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Align and promote company mission and values.
• Prioritize safety as a core value, fostering a safety-first culture.
• Collaborate effectively across departments and management levels.
• Understand and interpret CPM schedules.
• Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate discretion.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and multitasking skills.
• Adaptability in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Act with firmness and tact when necessary.
• Simplify and communicate complex issues effectively.