Chief Estimator

About Head, LLC

Head, LLC (Head) is a self-performing general contractor specializing in concrete and asphalt pavement construction on military and public-use airfields throughout most of the United States. We own and operate our own concrete and asphalt plants, paving equipment, and sitework and utility equipment.

Our business is built around self-performance. We estimate, plan, manage, and execute the core construction operations on our projects with our own people and equipment.

The Opportunity

Head is seeking an experienced Chief Estimator to lead estimating, opportunity screening, and pricing efforts from our Columbus, Ohio office. Unlike estimating environments driven by constant bid volume, Head takes a selective approach to pursuing work. We focus on a limited number of opportunities where we believe we can compete and execute successfully. The Chief Estimator will work directly with company leadership and operations and will have meaningful influence over project selection, estimating strategy, risk evaluation, and final pricing. We welcome experienced candidates from Columbus and Central Ohio, as well as qualified candidates from across the country who are interested in relocating to Columbus. Relocation assistance is available for the right candidate.

Core Responsibilities

Lead full-cycle estimating for targeted airfield paving opportunities.

Develop detailed estimates for self-performed and subcontracted work.

Develop labor, equipment, material, crew, production-rate, and indirect costs.

Perform go/no-go evaluations based on risk, logistics, competition, margins, and strategic fit.

Analyze plans, specifications, geotechnical information, phasing, schedules, and contract requirements.

Develop conceptual budgets and preliminary estimates for future opportunities.

Coordinate directly with ownership and operations on pursuit strategy and final bid execution.

Support active projects with preconstruction, subcontracts, purchase orders, pricing for changes, scope revisions, cost impacts, and claims.

Maintain and improve historical costs, production rates, and estimating systems.

Use actual field performance to continually improve estimating assumptions and accuracy.

What We're Looking For

Meaningful experience estimating self-performed construction is important. Candidates should understand labor, equipment, crew composition, production rates, materials, means and methods, and construction sequencing, not simply the solicitation and compilation of subcontractor & vendor quotations.

Prior airfield or heavy civil experience is not required. We welcome accomplished estimators from commercial, industrial, vertical, infrastructure, heavy civil, transportation, and other construction markets with significant self-perform experience.

Experience with concrete, structural concrete, earthwork, sitework, paving, demolition, utilities, or similar self-performed operations is particularly relevant. HCSS HeavyBid experience is preferred but not required. Airfield, federal, DoD, USACE, paving, or other infrastructure experience is valuable but not required.

Required Qualifications

Four-year engineering or construction management degree or an equivalent combination of technical training and/or related experience.

10 or more years of experience in an estimating role.

Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite programs.

Proficient in commonly used construction industry estimating software.

Demonstrated ability to read and interpret construction plans, specifications, and contract documents.

Strong analytical, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.

Project Travel

Although our projects are located throughout much of the United States, travel for this position is limited.

Occasional travel will include pre-bid site visits and visits to active projects to observe and discuss self-performed operations with project execution teams. These visits provide direct field feedback on means and methods, crew performance, production rates, and other factors that can be incorporated into future estimates. Depending on project location and logistics, some travel may take place aboard Head's company-owned corporate aircraft.

Compensation & Featured Benefits

Head offers an industry competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, qualifications, and leadership capability, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

100% company-paid medical insurance premiums

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Competitive 401(k) retirement plan

Relocation assistance for qualified candidates, when applicable

Why Head?

This is not a high-volume estimating desk role. Each pursuit matters.

The Chief Estimator will work directly with company leadership, have significant input into which projects Head pursues, and help shape how those projects are approached and priced.

We are looking for someone who wants to be more than a bid processor—an estimator who can serve as a trusted advisor and strategist within the organization.

This is a full-time, on-site position in Columbus, Ohio.

Recruiting Agency Disclaimer: Head, LLC is conducting this search directly and is not accepting unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from staffing agencies, search firms, or third-party recruiters. Head, LLC will not be responsible for any fees associated with unsolicited candidate submissions.