Project Estimating Lead

Professional Summary

The Project Estimating Lead serves as the organization's Subject Matter Expert for capital cost estimating, benchmarking methodologies, estimating tools, and assurance processes. Reporting directly to the Director, Project Excellence, this senior individual contributor is responsible for leading the development, validation, and governance of capital cost estimates throughout the full project lifecycle - ranging from concept selection through detailed engineering and execution. The successful candidate will drive accuracy, establish cost intelligence databases, and deliver data-driven estimate assurance across a diverse portfolio of capital energy and midstream infrastructure projects valued between $5M and $1B+.

Core Responsibilities

• Execute Full-Lifecycle Estimating: Personally build, validate, and manage conceptual, screening, and Class VI through Class III capital cost estimates for projects ranging from $5M to $1B+.
• Develop Comprehensive Estimate Bases: Interpret complex engineering deliverables, drawings, general arrangements, specifications, and incomplete pre-FEED/FEED documentation to establish quantities, scope assumptions, and boundary conditions.
• Cost Engineering & Scope Development: Perform quantity take-offs, address scope gaps, and collaborate directly with engineering teams to refine project scope, tagged equipment requirements (e.g., pressure vessels, pumps, MCCs, transformers), and execution plans.
• Benchmarking & Cost Intelligence: Establish, maintain, and advance historical cost databases, benchmarking metrics, and estimating templates leveraging historical project data, market trends, and commodity inflation analysis.
• Risk & Contingency Analysis: Conduct estimate risk assessments, value engineering, constructability reviews, and contingency analyses using AACE International frameworks and probabilistic methods where applicable.
• Commercial & Vendor Integration: Coordinate bid requests, analyze contractor/vendor quotations for equipment and specialized commodities, evaluate subcontractor pricing, and support procurement strategy alignment.
• Governance & Stage-Gate Support: Drive organizational standardizations, conduct estimate audits, and deliver comprehensive estimate basis packages, AFEs, and recommendations to project sponsors and senior executive leadership.
• Innovation & Tool Adoption: Leverage digital solutions, estimating tools, automation, and AI applications to optimize benchmarking accuracy and process efficiency.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Project Management, or a related technical field.
• Experience: Minimum 10+ years of dedicated, hands-on project estimating experience within the Canadian oil & gas, energy, midstream, utilities, or petrochemical sectors.
• Discipline Focus: Estimating must be the primary core competency; candidates must demonstrate extensive experience in owner/operator, EPC/EPCM, or heavy industrial construction environments.
• Lifecycle Expertise: Proven track record leading estimates across all development and execution phases (Stage 1 through Stage 4) using AACE International classification standards.
• Technical Proficiency: Deep working knowledge of structural, mechanical, electrical, and facility equipment; advanced expertise in Microsoft Excel, EcoSys, or dedicated cost-estimating databases.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Certifications: AACE Certified Cost Professional (CCP), AACE Certified Estimating Professional (CEP), or Project Management Professional (PMP) designation.
• Licensing: Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation is considered a strong asset.
• Analytics: Experience with Power BI and risk modeling tools (e.g., Monte Carlo analysis).

Employment Details

• Location: Calgary, AB (Corporate Office)
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid (4 days onsite / 1 day remote)
• Position Type: Contract (Strong potential for conversion to permanent employment)