Chief Estimator - Mission Critical

About Suffolk

Suffolk is a national enterprise that builds, innovates and invests. Suffolk is an end-to-end business that provides value throughout the entire project lifecycle by leveraging its core construction management services with vertical service lines that include real estate capital investment, design, self-perform construction services, technology start-up investment (Suffolk Technologies) and innovation research/development.

Suffolk – America’s Contractor – is a national company with more than $5.0 billion in annual revenue, 2,600 employees, and main offices in Boston (headquarters), New York City, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Estero, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. Suffolk manages some of the most complex, sophisticated projects in the country, serving clients in every major industry sector, including healthcare, life sciences, education, gaming, transportation/aviation, government, mission critical and commercial. Suffolk is privately held and is led by founder, chairman and CEO John Fish. Suffolk is ranked #8 on ENR’s list of “Top CM-at-Risk Contractors.” For more information, visit www.suffolk.com and follow Suffolk on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

Suffolk is seeking people who are bold. Curious. Innovative. Caring. Looking for the career opportunity of a lifetime. We’ll challenge and inspire you to be your very best. We’ll embrace what makes you unique and lift you up as you take chances. Here, you’ll find a place where you can act with purpose and integrity, bringing intelligence and grit to every aspect of your job. Join us for the chance to leverage your inherent curiosity and proven capabilities to catapult you to the next level.

The Role

The Mission Critical Center of Excellence manages billions of dollars in projects annually, specializing in data center and mission-critical construction for leading technology and telecommunications clients across the United States. Focused on fast-paced, MEP-intensive projects, the group is recognized for delivering complex solutions while offering significant opportunities for career advancement within the thriving mission-critical construction industry.

The Chief Estimator, Mission Critical is responsible for managing the Mission Critical Estimating team, including identifying bid opportunities, managing the bid process, delivery of bids, staff development, making cost adjustments and assigning estimating personnel and resources.

This position can be located in Boston, MA, Herndon, VA, or remote with regular travel.

Department and Staff Management:

• Assign Estimating team members to projects. Balance and manage time of staff.
• Lead bid strategies.
• Create estimating templates and tools to increase overall effectiveness of the department.
• Create monthly estimating reports to track estimating success.
• Create and track the Mission Critical Estimating budget.
• Perform strategic and business planning for the department.
• Attend executive staff meetings.
• Develop talent on the Mission Critical Estimating team by coaching and providing feedback, and performing annual performance reviews. Create individual development plans for each staff member’s career growth.

Unit Cost Pricing:

• Prepare detailed take off of materials by clearly understanding the complexity of the scope(s) of work as shown on the construction documents.
• Prepare detailed labor estimates utilizing production hours, crews and equipment.
• Organize the material and labor information for pricing.
• Solicit material prices from suppliers.
• Obtain current labor rates.
• Prepare unit prices by "Building the Project in your Head."
• Verify and compare your unit prices or the price of a system with a subcontractor and previous similar estimates.
• Review all unit pricing on projects prepared by the Estimator. Make changes as required.
• Understand the influence of market conditions on pricing.
• Track all current market conditions.

Bid Activities:

• Review or compile GC's with the Senior Estimator and review with senior management.
• Assure on time delivery of bids and estimates, reviewing final plans and specifications with the Estimating team.
• Review of subcontractor selection and scopes and subcontractor/trade close outs on bid day.
• Review scope sheets and pricing with Estimating team members, ensuring that trade summary ties into bid form.
• Close out the subcontractor bid process.
• Review plans and specs with the lead Estimator.
• Assist the lead Estimator in directing additional staff assignments on bid day.
• Manage bid day activities by ensuring completion of bid forms, managing the clock and trying to develop a competitive advantage.
• Follow up with the client regarding bid results.
• Make Subcontractor, A/E fees, overhead, and fee recommendations to upper management.
• Identify pre-construction fees for Suffolk, where applicable.

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture or related field
• 10+ years of experience estimating Mission Critical projects
• Quantity Surveys, Take off skills, Computer Skills
• Working knowledge of Excel spread sheets, and Word processing programs
• Ability to work with and manage a team of a various Estimating rolesUnderstanding of Construction Documents specific to Mission Critical projects
  • Knowledge of the contents of each CSI section.
  • Ability to read & interpret blue prints in order to understand the scope of work at SD, DD and CD phases of design.
  • Ability to coordinate construction document plans, details and specifications.
  • Ability to apply CD details to a conceptual set of documents to capture all cost impacts of the details.
  • If called to the table or awarded the bid, review the estimate and discuss strategy with the team for any holes, value management, or potential profit pockets.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; talk or hear; perform fine motor, hand and finger skills in the use of a keyboard, telephone, or writing. The employee is frequently required to stands; walk; and reach with arms and/or hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will spend their time in an office environment with a quiet to moderate noise level. Job site walking.

Suffolk provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, disability, protected veteran, gender identity, age or any other status protected by law.  This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment.  Suffolk will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination toward, or harassment of, applicants or employees by anyone at Suffolk, or anyone working on behalf of Suffolk