Chief Estimator

ecl.vincere.io; Calgary; On-site; CAD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Whissell is seeking a Chief Estimator to lead the estimating function for heavy civil construction projects. The role includes strategic direction, bid development, and collaboration with Operations and senior leadership to pursue opportunities and ensure profitable bids.

Responsibilities encompass managing the estimating team, implementing processes, and continuously improving estimating practices. Travel to sites and collaboration with GMs are expected.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive estimating experience in heavy civil construction, including underground utilities and complex site work.

Responsibilities

• Lead market analysis for major markets and end users to inform bids.

Skills

Leadership

Market analysis

Estimating software

Contract review

Bid strategy

Mentoring

Communication

Project management

Team development

Education

Civil Engineering degree

Tools

BlueBeam

B2W software

Job description

CHIEF ESTIMATOR

JD-Chief Estimator Next Review: 2026-02

Job Title: Chief Estimator Reports To: VP of Operations Position Summary: The Chief Estimator is a key leadership role responsible for leading Whissell’s estimating function and overseeing the preparation of competitive, accurate, and comprehensive estimates for heavy civil construction projects. This role provides strategic direction to the estimating team, reviews project opportunities, develops budgets and bids, works closely with Operations, and senior leadership to support successful project pursuits. The Chief Estimator plays a key role in identifying opportunities, managing successful estimating processes, mentoring and coaching estimators, and ensuring estimates align with Whissell’s operational capacities, risk profile, and business objectives. This role continues to help position Whissell for continued sustainable, profitable growth while demonstrating our S.P.I.R.I.T. values.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead market analysis for each of Whissell’s major markets including market size by segment and market share of competitors and various market segments including industrial projects, municipal and government segments, private development segments
• Lead market analysis of Whissell’s end user clients including land developers, municipal governments, consultants and civil general contractors
• Collaborate with local area General Managers to develop, implement and audit estimating systems, processes and procedures for Whissell
• Ensure that all project risks, contractual terms, and constructability issues are identified and discussed with senior leadership
• Develop and implement a contract review process in collaboration with the Contracts Administrator
• Develop a bid strategy for bids to win work and maximize profitability
• Work with General Managers and estimators on bid day to review and finalize bids
• Work with General Managers to develop and implement training strategies and succession planning for the estimating team
• Collaborate with General Managers to manage overall estimating team utilization
• Investigate new technologies for estimating departments
• Develop, implement and audit the project handoff meetings from estimating to operations
• Manage subcontractor and vendor relationships to grow our subcontractor and vendor base in the different geographic areas and vertical market areas of focus
• Create and implement a prequalification process, as well as a subcontractor and vendor grading and feedback process
• Create process, structure and best practices to improve our subcontractor coverage, bid scoping, and overall estimate development
• Develop a conceptual estimating database to support the faster creation of accurate conceptual cost estimates in a timelier manner
• Lead implementation, maintenance and update to the B2W suite of software for estimating and project tracking with the Whissell IT department
• Work with Business Development to create and manage client’s expectations of the project cost, timeline, design requirements and quality.
• Retain consultants to support due diligence & schematic design development to understand overall project feasibility, timeline and cost for our clients. These consultants would include engineering consultants, environmental consultants, financial consultants and legal consultants based on the complexity of the design-build project.
• Lead the submission of Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and Request for Proposals (RFP) responses in collaboration with Business Development
• Participate in industry networking organizations and events to develop new strategic relationships with clients and network partners
• Manage relationships with key owners, and consultants to create a pipeline of project leads
• Participate in strategic marketing and sales meetings to identify strategic accounts and help set direction for future business development and marketing efforts
• Actively participate with General Managers on which opportunities the company wants to pursue and create strategies to win these opportunities
• Participate on the leadership team to discuss all company concerns, employee issues, departmental discussions, and continuous improvement.
• Implement the company business planning efforts throughout the calendar year
• Contribute to corporate business planning, including: Financial Goals, Company Strategy, & Business Process Improvement Initiatives
• Develop a quarterly Whissell Corporate report for senior executives to provide information on bidding activity, opportunities and competitor market share
• Whissell reserves the right to add or change any responsibilities of this position as required

Qualifications & Experience

• 10+ years of progressive estimating experience in heavy civil construction, with significant hands-on experience estimating underground utility projects, particularly water, sanitary and stormwater infrastructure.
• Demonstrated experience estimating projects involving deep utilities, complex excavation, shoring, bypass pumping, trenchless installations, earthworks and site servicing, as applicable to Whissell's work.
• Strong understanding of construction methods, production rates, equipment utilization, labour requirements and material costs associated with underground utility construction.
• Proven experience preparing and leading complex estimates from initial opportunity assessment through tender submission, including quantity take-offs, subcontractor/supplier pricing, risk assessment, indirect costs and final bid review.
• Experience with a variety of procurement and delivery models, including unit-price, negotiated, design-assist and construction management.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting drawings, specifications, geotechnical information, contracts and tender documents and identifying scope gaps, risks and opportunities.
• Strong knowledge of the Alberta heavy civil construction market, including owners, consultants, subcontractors, suppliers and competitive market conditions.
• Experience with estimating software and related technology; experience with BlueBeam and B2W software programs is preferred.
• Post-secondary education in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Engineering Technology or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and extensive industry experience.
• Professional designation such as P.Eng., C.E.T., GSC or equivalent is an asset rather.

Competencies

• Underground Construction Expertise - demonstrates a deep practical knowledge of water, sanitary, storm water and related underground infrastructure and understands how field conditions, equipment, crews and production assumptions affect cost and risk.
• Estimating and Commercial Acumen - develops accurate, competitive and sound estimates while balancing risk, margin and capacity.
• Communication and Relationship Building – communications complex technical information clearly and is comfortable interacting with employees, senior leadership, owners, consultants, subcontractors, suppliers and clients at all levels.
• Leadership & Team Development - provides direction, coaching and technical mentorship to the estimating team; establishes consistent practices and develops capability within the department.
• Collaboration -works effectively across departments to ensure estimating assumptions reflect how Whissell will execute the work.
• Judgment & Decision Making -Makes sound decisions with incomplete information, recognizes when additional information is required and appropriately balances competitiveness with project and organization risk.
• Attention to Detail & Accuracy -maintains a high degree of accuracy while retaining the ability to see the broader implications of an opportunity.
• Negotiation & Influence – effectively challenges assumptions, negotiates pricing and commercial considerations and influences decisions without relying solely on positional authority.
• Accountability and Integrity – takes ownership of estimate quality and assumptions, communicates concerns early and maintains high standards of professional and ethical conduct.
• Continuous Improvement -uses historical project performance, actual production data and lessons learned to continuously improve estimating assumptions, processes and accuracy.
• Adaptability & Composure -performs effectively under tight tender deadlines, shifting priorities and competing demands while maintaining sound judgment and constructive working relationships.
• Operational Credibility -builds trust with operational leaders through a strong understanding of work is done. Actively seeks operational input, challenges assumptions constructively and ensures estimates reflect realistic methods, crew configurations, equipment requirements and production expectations.

Working Conditions: Environmental

• Mainly work within an office setting
• Will require ability to go to sites to assess for estimates
• May have limited exposure to heat and cold seasonally when in the field

Travel Expectations

• Some travel is required both to sites and to other locations

Physical Requirements

Standard mobility to walk, drive and carry up to 30lbs

CHIEF ESTIMATOR

JD-Chief Estimator Next Review: 2026-02