Estimating Manager — Power & Utility Construction - Danella Companies

Plymouth Meeting, PA (Preferred) — Remote Considered Nationwide  |  Full-Time  |  Hiring Immediately

About the Role

Danella Companies, Inc. is a nationwide power and utility infrastructure construction contractor with more than 55 years in the industry, 1,800+ employees, 30+ locations across the country, and one of the largest owned equipment fleets in the sector at 6,000+ pieces. We build and maintain the infrastructure that keeps the country powered and connected — civil, transmission, distribution, substation, solar, wind, and vegetation management work spanning greenfield and brownfield projects coast to coast.

We are hiring a Chief Estimator to lead our estimating function nationwide. This is a team-leadership role, not an individual-contributor estimating seat: you will manage a team of estimators, own the full bid lifecycle from opportunity identification through award and handoff, and serve as the connective tissue between estimating, project management, and accounting. You'll set the standards, tools, and discipline that determine whether our bids are accurate, competitive, and buildable — and whether the numbers we hand off to the field hold up.

This is an immediate hire. The role is based out of our Plymouth Meeting, PA headquarters, with strong candidates based remotely anywhere in the country also considered.

What You'll Do

Team Leadership

• Lead, develop, and mentor a nationwide team of estimators across multiple disciplines and regions, setting technical standards and holding the team accountable to them
• Build bench strength — identify and develop estimators who can grow into senior and leadership roles within the estimating function
• Establish consistent estimating methodology, templates, and best practices across the team so quality doesn't depend on which estimator picks up a given bid

Bid Lifecycle Ownership

• Own the estimating function end-to-end: opportunity qualification, scope and RFP/RFQ review, quantity takeoff oversight, subcontractor and vendor solicitation, pricing strategy, proposal assembly, and final bid submission
• Lead bid strategy and risk assessment on major pursuits, and personally lead or review estimates on the largest and most complex opportunities
• Drive continuous improvement in win-rate and estimate accuracy by tracking historical bid-to-actual performance and feeding lessons learned back into future estimates

Coordination with Project Management and Accounting

• Serve as the handoff point between estimating and project management — ensure awarded estimates transfer cleanly into project budgets, cost codes, and execution plans, with nothing lost in translation
• Partner with accounting on cost-code structure, WIP reporting inputs, and margin tracking so that what estimating assumes and what accounting reports stay aligned throughout a project's life
• Support change order pricing and scope-growth evaluation in partnership with field and PM leadership as projects move from bid to execution

Compliance & Documentation

• Maintain rigorous, auditable bid documentation — historical cost data, productivity analysis, subcontractor records, and the basis-of-estimate for every bid
• Ensure estimates reflect current code and regulatory requirements across the disciplines we bid (NEC and applicable state/local codes for electrical scopes; OSHA and standard safety-cost factors across all disciplines)
• Uphold company estimating policy and internal controls, including sign-off and review thresholds for bids above defined dollar levels

What You Bring

• 10+ years of progressive estimating experience in power/utility or heavy civil construction, including demonstrated experience leading or mentoring other estimators
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent construction industry experience or trade background will be considered in place of a degree
• Direct experience estimating in one or more of: transmission, distribution, substation, solar, wind, vegetation management, or heavy civil utility construction
• Strong working knowledge of estimating and scheduling software (e.g., HCSS HeavyBid, Bluebeam Revu, Primavera P6, or comparable platforms) and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, one-line diagrams, civil/structural plans, and technical specifications across multiple disciplines
• A track record of managing multiple concurrent, large-dollar-value bids under deadline pressure without sacrificing accuracy
• Strong written and verbal communication skills — you'll be presenting bid strategy and risk positions to senior leadership and, at times, directly to clients
• Willingness to travel occasionally, as needed on a project-by-project basis, in support of site visits, bid reviews, and team development across our nationwide footprint

Why Join Us

• Build and shape the estimating function's standards, tools, and talent pipeline rather than inheriting someone else's system
• Work across the full breadth of power and utility disciplines — civil, transmission, distribution, substation, solar, wind, and vegetation management

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• On-the-job training and advancement opportunities

Equal Employment Opportunity

Danella Companies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.