Senior Estimator

Overview

The Senior Estimator is responsible for running the sales pipeline and estimating across all projects including ownership of the work from qualified lead to finalized budget and preparation of the preconstruction work to hand off to the Project Manager(s).

Reports To: Operations Manager

Location: Canmore Office, with site visits and client meetings as required (hybrid work options available)

Key Peers: Project Managers, Superintendents, Construction Manager, Financial Controller, Business & Development Manager, HR Manager, Accountant, CEO

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and own cost estimates from conceptual budget (Class D) through tender-ready pricing (Class A), including quantity takeoffs, unit pricing, general conditions, and bid assembly
• Manage the sales pipeline including lead tracking, opportunity qualification, bid recommendations, and weekly status reporting
• Lead end-to-end trade tendering including defining bid packages, managing subtrade and supplier pricing, levelling bids, closing scope gaps, and award recommendations; maintain trade relationships and network
• Review drawings and specifications for constructability, scope gaps, regulatory and permitting triggers, and risk; seek clarifications to ensure full scope capture
• Maintain a risk register for each estimate, documenting assumptions, exclusions, and the disposition of identified risks
• Prepare and issue client proposals and RFP responses; attend client meetings and site visits
• Present estimates with clients, consultants, and leadership, speaking to questions and feedback as they arise
• Support preconstruction activities on construction management projects, including design-stage budget development, value engineering, and guaranteed maximum price (GMP) preparation
• Prepare and deliver a finalized estimate and project budget at the close of tendering, accompanied by documented scope and risk assumptions for handoff to Project Managers
• Develop and maintain ACS's historical cost database through collaboration with Project Managers on completed projects to support estimate-to-actual review and continuous improvement of estimating accuracy
• Contribute to the ongoing development of ACS estimating standards, templates, and tools
• Maintain awareness of current market conditions, material pricing, and labour rates within the Bow Valley and surrounding regions to inform estimate accuracy
  
  

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 5 years of estimating experience with a general contractor or similar in commercial, multi-family, or hospitality construction
• Post-secondary degree, diploma, or certificate in Construction Management, Engineering Technology, or equivalent
• Demonstrated experience across estimate classes from conceptual through hard-bid tender and negotiated award; prior experience with contractor sales pipeline management an asset
• Comprehensive knowledge of construction across all divisions, with sufficient mechanical and electrical fluency to critically evaluate trade pricing; awareness of safe work practices
• Working knowledge of CCDC contracts including CCDC 2, 3, 5A, 5B
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 with experience with Procore and Bluebeam an asset; comfortable adopting new digital tools
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to navigate complex conversations around budget, scope, and risk with a range of stakeholders
• Ability to manage competing deadlines and priorities independently
  
  

Preference Will Be Given To Candidates With

• Gold Seal Certified (GSC) Estimator, PQS, or CEC designation (CIQS)
• Experience pricing work in the Bow Valley, Calgary corridor, or a comparable market
  
  

Requirements

• Must have and maintain a valid Class 5 license with clean driving record
• Eligible to legally work in Canada without employer sponsorship
• Must live in the Bow Valley or be willing to attend meetings and visit project sites throughout the Bow Valley including ability to access active construction sites involving climbing stairs/ladders and navigating uneven terrain
  
  

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience, starting at $125,000/year
• Minimum 3 weeks’ vacation per year
• Comprehensive benefits package including dental, extended healthcare, disability coverage, life insurance, healthcare spending account, and RRSP matching
• Industry training allowance for career development
• Cell phone allowance, company laptop, and access to company fleet as required
• Progressive working environment at the forefront of construction in the Bow Valley
• Strong commitment to safety in the workplace. ACS is COR certified.
  
  

We care about people. ACS is committed to building a safe workplace where everyone can succeed and belong. As a Signatory to the Bow Valley Workplace Inclusion Charter, we’re committed to continuing to build an even more diverse, equitable, and inclusive team.

With a focus on creating a working environment built on mutual respect and professionalism, we aim to attract motivated, talented people who will thrive and grow with our company. We’re proud to say that our team is over 1/3 female! While we acknowledge there is still more work to be done, our DEI practices are continually evolving as our company grows.

We value a wide range of skills, experiences, and backgrounds and encourage all qualified candidates to apply. We’re working to eliminate barriers for applicants and team members from equity-seeking groups. If you can’t apply online or need an accommodation during the hiring process, please contact hr@ashtonconstruction.ca.

As an environmentally conscious business, ACS incorporates green practices wherever possible, both at our workplace and worksites.

We’re building careers, not filling jobs.