Overview
Position Summary:The Estimating Manager is responsible for leading and continuously improving the estimating function for Transmission and Substation projects throughout Henkels & McCoy West. This role provides strategic oversight of estimating processes, cost databases, historical production metrics, and estimating resources to ensure the development of accurate, competitive, and risk-adjusted project estimates.
Working closely with Business Development, Operations, Engineering, Project Management, and Executive Leadership, the Estimating Manager drives consistency, standardization, and best practices across the estimating lifecycle. This position plays a critical role in supporting the successful pursuit and execution of transmission line, substation, renewable interconnection, and utility infrastructure projects while ensuring alignment with Henkels & McCoy's safety culture, project management methodology, and operational objectives.
Responsibilities
Estimating Leadership & Strategy- Lead the estimating function for transmission, substation, and related utility infrastructure projects across the West region.
- Develop, implement, and maintain standardized estimating processes, tools, procedures, and best practices.
- Establish estimating performance metrics and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance estimate accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.
- Provide leadership, coaching, and development for estimating personnel and support succession planning efforts.
- Serve as a key advisor to regional leadership regarding project opportunities, risks, market conditions, and pricing strategies.
Proposal Development & Cost Estimating- Oversee the preparation, review, and approval of conceptual, budgetary, detailed, and final estimates for transmission and substation construction projects.
- Support major pursuits by developing labor, equipment, material, subcontractor, indirect cost, escalation, contingency, and risk assessments.
- Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, and Project Management teams to validate project execution strategies and productivity assumptions.
- Review bid documents, drawings, specifications, schedules, and contract requirements to identify project risks and opportunities.
- Participate in bid strategy meetings, estimate reviews, executive presentations, and client proposal discussions.
Operational & Historical Data Management- Ensure consistency and standardization of Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), cost codes, production tracking methodologies, and estimating databases across the region.
- Maintain historical estimating and production databases to improve forecasting accuracy and support data-driven decision making.
- Analyze project performance, estimate-to-actual variances, labor productivity, equipment utilization, and lessons learned.
- Partner with Operations and Project Controls teams to identify trends and implement corrective actions to improve future estimates.
- Align estimating practices with project scheduling and work management systems to support successful project execution.
Systems, Processes & Training- Serve as the regional subject matter expert for estimating software platforms, including B2W and other estimating technologies.
- Lead implementation, maintenance, and optimization of estimating software, cost libraries, crew compositions, labor rates, equipment rates, and production templates.
- Coordinate software training and provide technical support for estimators, project managers, and operational personnel.
- Facilitate rollout of new estimating tools, software enhancements, and process improvements.
- Support onboarding and professional development initiatives for estimating and operations personnel.
Cross-Functional Collaboration- Partner with Business Development teams to support client engagement and pursuit strategies.
- Collaborate with Engineering and Operations leaders during project planning and constructability reviews.
- Support project handoff meetings to ensure seamless transition from estimating to execution.
- Promote a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and operational excellence throughout the organization.
Qualifications
- Minimum 7-10 years of progressively responsible estimating experience within utility, transmission, substation, power delivery, or heavy construction environments.
- Minimum 3-5 years of leadership experience managing estimating teams, processes, or major project pursuits.
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Project Management, Business Management, or a related field.
- Demonstrated success leading estimating teams within the utility, transmission, substation, power delivery, or heavy civil construction industries.
- Strong understanding of transmission line construction, substation construction, utility infrastructure, EPC delivery methods, and self-perform construction practices.
- Advanced knowledge of estimating principles including labor productivity modeling, equipment costing, subcontractor management, risk analysis, and quantity takeoffs.
- Proven ability to manage multiple complex pursuits and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to effectively engage executives, clients, engineering teams, and operational leaders.
- Advanced proficiency with estimating software, database management, Microsoft Office Suite, and project management tools.
- Experience utilizing historical production data and performance metrics to improve estimate accuracy and operational outcomes.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience estimating utility transmission projects ranging from 69kV to 500kV+.
- Experience estimating greenfield and brownfield substation construction projects.
- Knowledge of utility client contracting models, EPC delivery, and design-build project environments.
- PMP, PSP, CEP, or similar project management and estimating certifications.
- Experience with project controls, scheduling, and earned value management concepts.
Salary Range: $120,000/yr to $190,000/yr
(will be dependent upon level of experience)Benefits: Full-time employees are eligible to participate in our benefit plan which includes the following:
- 401(k) Plan
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance
- Voluntary Life Insurance
- Voluntary Short Term & Long-Term Disability
- Paid time off
