Senior Estimator

Description

This position is responsible for providing and overseeing timely and accurate estimates along with preconstruction services to secure profitable construction projects for Knutson Construction on hard bid and negotiated projects.

• Reviews project schedules with senior level operations and preconstruction staff on hard bid projects.
• Reviews and prices labor, material and equipment using historic data, past experience, supplier and rental firm pricing.
• Sells Self Perform and its advantages to the project. Works with Senior Preconstruction Manager, Director of Preconstruction and Operations to identify Self Perform opportunities to pursue outside of negotiated work.
• Prepares and oversees accurate estimates for project Hard Bids to secure profitable work for Knutson Construction.
• Provides real time feedback on budgets and programs to all stakeholders.
• Develops accurate quantity takeoff and cost models using 2D and 3D software.
• Develops and executes plans to continuously improve subcontractor relationships.
• Continuously works to enhance personal skills/abilities to retain a motivated, professional workforce for Knutson Construction.
• Reviews and / or provides quantities for concrete, masonry, demolition, and carpentry self-perform.
• Completes subcontractor solicitation professionally to meet goals for winning profitable new work in the hard bid and negotiated market segments.
• Leverages subcontractor relationships and the Knutson Experience to win profitable Hard Bid work. Researches and builds relationships with new subcontractors and vendors.
• Prepares and oversees accurate takeoffs for self-perform work to increase the probability of providing profitable work for Knutson Construction.
• Prepares cost models as needed for schematic, design development, and GMP estimates.
• Provides training to Estimators and Preconstruction Managers to enhance their skills and promote the preconstruction process.
• Helps with developing the “Means and Methods” of construction that will be used to construct the project on both negotiated and hard bid projects.
• Keeps senior level staff informed of key issues/opportunities that impact project success.
• Evaluates bid time win/losses at time of bid.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with stakeholders to promote profitable project wins and position Knutson Construction for future opportunities.
• Performs real time estimating, system analysis, long term maintenance studies and value engineering processes.
• Reviews all Front-End Specifications and Scopes of Work completed by operations staff on negotiated projects. Review hard bid Front-End Specifications while documenting and including all cost required to meet the risk on projects along with all Division 01 costs.
• Leverages supplier relationships and Knutson experience to win profitable Self Perform work.
• Identifies and communicates opportunities to enhance projects.
• Conducts risk evaluation reviews with the Senior Operations and Preconstruction staff.
• Provides training and development opportunities to lower-level staff and continuously works to enhance personal skills/abilities to retain a motivated, professional workforce for Knutson Construction.
• Completes Conceptual/Program estimates from RFP responses and conceptual documents.
• Manages bid takers, analyzes bids, leads decision process, and enters the correct subcontractor bid on hard bid and negotiated projects.
• Lead bid-day processes as it relates to subcontractor analysis and selection. On negotiated projects work closely with Preconstruction Manager and Operations on bid analysis and buyout.
• Trains Preconstruction Managers and Estimators.
• Develops accurate cost estimates and GMP’s including the equipment, general conditions, materials, labor, and subcontractor backup using 2D & 3D software while ensuring estimates are coordinated with project managers’ front-end specifications, scopes of work, schedules, phasing and logistics plans.
• Maintains databases to track historical costs with Senior Project Manager and Director of Preconstruction.
• Works closely with senior level staff to promote and leverage the use of technology by staff; attends training to stay abreast of available technology for 3D estimating and other preconstruction needs.
• Promotes the Knutson Construction name through community involvement.
• Attends postmortem reviews on projects to determine reasons for profitability or reasons for financial losses, and incorporates lessons learned in future bids.
• Works closely with Preconstruction Manager and Operations on subcontractor bid analysis.
• Leads the Self-Perform “SOP” Standard Operating Procedures in a team environment with both operations and site staff.
• Works with Operations and Business Development to successfully pursue and secure profitable negotiated and Hard Bid work for Knutson Construction.
• Oversees the documentation that should be included for presentations.
• Works closely with Operations and Marketing to develop estimates and bids for Best Value and Negotiated pursuits.
• Attends interviews on project pursuits as estimator.
• Works with all stakeholders to successfully manage the estimating process and helps prepare projects for the start of construction.
• Complete first pass at General Conditions and Fee Calculator on Hard Bid and Best Value Projects. Review and develop General Conditions and Fee Calculator on CMR, CMA and Design Build projects with Preconstruction Manager and Operations.
• Serves as the office in-house point of contact for projects appointed to for estimating services for negotiated work from Conceptual to GMP.

Requirements

• Highly organized, able to prioritize and multi-task
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time using a computer and reading plans/specifications.
• Ability to lift bid documents (plans and specifications) as needed, which can weigh up to 50 pounds.
• Excellent management and organization skills in leading our teams through the bidding and self-perform processes.
• Delivers the Knutson Experience.
• Ability to travel to various construction sites; ability to physically review project sites which may involve use of stairways and mobilizing around the existing landscape.
• Strong planning, problem solving, and troubleshooting skills in a cross functional environment
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture or a related field and 7+ years of preconstruction experience or Associate’s Degree in a construction related field and 10+ years of preconstruction experience.
• Participation and completion in scheduled and applicable safety training, as determined by the company.
• Strong multi-tasking skills allowing them to work on various projects on the same day.

Benefits

Projected Maximum Base Salary per year $160,000

At Knutson, opportunities to shine happen daily. We value what makes you different and empower you to act on your ideas.

Projected Minimum Base Salary per year $105,000

• Successful Annual Discretionary Profit-Sharing Program
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Time Off
• Annual Discretionary Bonus Program
• Flexible Spending Account
• Life and Long-Term Disability Benefit with no premium cost to employee
• 401k w/Company Match
• Flex Fridays
• Performance Based Career Advancement
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Employee Referral Bonus Program
• Health Savings Account with employer contribution
• Competitive Pay
• Mentorship Program

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance