Chief Estimator
J.S. Held

Job Info

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The Company

Are you looking to join an organization that is growing and dynamic? What about a high-energy, collaborative environment that rewards hard work?

J.S. Held is a global consulting firm providing technical, scientific, and financial expertise across all assets and value at risk. Our professionals serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high-stakes events demanding urgent attention, staunch integrity, clear-cut analysis, and an understanding of both tangible and intangible assets. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services, products, and data that enable clients to navigate complex, contentious, and often catastrophic situations . We have over 100 locations worldwide. We are highly committed to all members of our community, both employees and clients. Our organization focuses on promoting a sense of community and inspiring our people to achieve results that exceed goals.

The Team And Job Summary

We are seeking a Chief Estimator to join our Project Support Services team. This is a unique opportunity for an entrepreneurial, highly driven person with a well-rounded skill set to join the Construction Advisory team, whose responsibilities extend beyond those of traditional engineers and technical consultants.

The Chief Estimator has overall responsibility for the creation of proposals, budgets and estimates needed to fulfill our obligations to our clients as third-party cost consultants. This role is responsible for the oversight of our national estimating practice and will establish standardized procedures, methods and processes for estimating in addition to the growth and advancement of our technology platforms, continuous improvement in the accuracy of pricing and ultimately providing the leadership to grow the team and the service line. This is a client facing leadership role supporting our Clients (Architects, Engineers, General Contractors, CMr, Developers, Lenders or Owner / Investors) directly and within a team, working alongside our Owner's Rep Project Management Leaders supporting both Public and Private sector projects and developments.

Job Responsibilities

• An expert in day-to-day estimating responsibilities, including but not limited to:
• Develop estimates for commercial projects such as Multifamily, Mixed Use, Commercial Office, Sports & Recreation, Public Safety, Industrial, Institutional Corrections Facilities, Healthcare etc.
• Develop fee-based proposals for cost-estimating services and other preconstruction services with a focus on accuracy, level of effort and project complexities.
• Develop design phase cost models from conceptual to construction documents phases utilizing experience with construction projects and inferring from concept through SD, DD and CD progressively refining through the design stages
• Develop Project Delivery Specific cost models for:
• Project indirect costs
• General Requirements
• General Conditions
• Contractor staffing and other project execution team related costs
• Contingencies, fees and allowances reflective of the Project specifics

• Ensure the flow of project information is maintained and documented throughout the process to ensure the qualification of the ongoing opinion of cost
• Utilize network and industry resources to maintain updated records on industry labor rates, subcontractors and suppliers with periodic unit cost indexing for accuracy
• Understand construction methods, productivity, equipment, building systems and materials.
• Act as an ongoing cost consultant for the project team consisting of developers, owners, designers, lenders or committees.
• Experience in liaising with other professionals within and outside the firm, including architects, engineers, owners, contractors, subcontractors, etc.
• Identify and ensure early warning of adverse cost trends so that corrective actions can be taken.
• Monitor cost performance to discover and understand variances from the budget.
• Pricing of change impacts as required.
• Have the flexibility to assist in other project management functions as needed.
• Essential Duties consist of:
• Assigns responsibilities for estimating team on each project to ensure proper utilization of staff and talent
• Reviews project plans and specifications and coordinates with the team to confirm complete scope performing quality assurance reviews on all estimates before they are published
• Identify risk issues and their order of magnitude and qualify potential unknowns to aide design team
• Solicit subcontractor and/or supplier information & pricing of a regular basis and document
• Assist in "Good Faith Efforts" as required to support client satisfaction and determine strategies to support the best results
• Performs and/or manages the quantity survey and pricing effort for internal budgets.
• Prepare conceptual budgets based on minimal information at ROM and Concept Planning stages to support capital funding efforts
• Reviews general conditions, schedule, scopes of work, site logistics and other exhibits as communicated by Client (Architects, Engineers, General Contractors, CMr, Developers or Owner / Investors).
• Ensures the flow of project information is maintained and documented ensuring client deadlines are met and expectations are exceeded.
• Reviews constructability issues with Client and Design Team to supporting value add discussions, analyzing alternate means and methods to determine the most economical solution
• Maintains and communicates data on construction and material cost trends affecting project costs.
• Builds effective relationships with our Client's that reflect and support company core values and meets or exceeds the customer's expectations.
• Actively participates in industry, client and community relations to enhance company image.
• Supporting the Growth of the Service Line:
• Ongoing and active discussions with new and existing clients to increase frequency of engagements
• Utilize professional network to market our capabilities and expertise in 3rd party cost estimating services promoting continued revenue growth while maintaining a healthy bottom line for this department.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree with accumulated technical experience of 7-10 years in a construction-related field.
• Minimum of 5 years as a construction cost estimator
• Be proficient in a variety of computer software programs used in estimating
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints.
• Possess strong mathematical and computer skills.
• Ability to breakdown construction operations into a logical sequence of activities
• Must be able to meet deadlines and be efficient with time management for your team and your own efforts.
• Strong organization and communication skills

Software Requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Microsoft Office
• Xactimate
• RS Means & RS Means Online
• iTWO costX - Estimating / Takeoff Platform
• Bluebeam
• Planswift
• On Screen Takeoff

Physical And Mental Job Qualifications

• Travel as required

J.S. Held is dedicated to becoming the global leader in providing multi-disciplinary consulting services to the construction, government, healthcare, industrial, insurance, energy, legal, and technology, communities. We have diverse practice areas including Construction Advisory, Financial Investigations, Forensic Accounting & Economics, Forensic Architecture & Engineering, Surety, Environmental Health & Safety, Equipment, Toxicology, and Building & Property Consulting, among other disciplines. J.S. Held is devoted to recruiting and cultivating top industry talent to build a collaborative and diverse team of experts. We leverage our experience to provide local, cost-efficient solutions and an unrivaled client experience.

Our mission is to serve as trusted, expert advisors to organizations around the world facing high-stakes situations that demand urgent attention, exceptional knowledge, staunch integrity and objective, clear- cut analysis and advice.

Some of the Benefits We Have Include

J.S. Held understands all our employees are people and sometimes life needs flexibility. We work to always provide an environment that best supports and suits our team's needs.

• Our flexible work environment allows employees to work remotely, when needed
• Generous PTO Policy
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401k Match
• Commuter Benefits

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read the J.S. Held Online Privacy Notice and hereby freely and unambiguously give informed consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of your personal information as required and described therein.

Please Explore What We're All About At Www.jsheld.com.

EEO and Job Accommodations

We embrace diversity and our commitment to building a team and environment that fosters professional and personal enrichment is unwavering. We are greater when we are equal!

J.S. Held is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request for a reasonable accommodation, please email jobs@jsheld.com and include "Applicant Accommodation" within the subject line with your request and contact information.

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