Director & Chief Product Owner

Company 1 - The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company; Toronto; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

The opportunity is with a leading heavy civil contractor delivering major infrastructure projects across Ontario. As Chief Estimator, you will lead the estimating function, shape bid strategy, mentor a high-performing team, and collaborate with operations, engineering and procurement to win bids.

You bring 10+ years of heavy civil estimating, experience on large infrastructure projects, and a track record of developing cost databases and improving estimating processes.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of estimating experience in heavy civil construction.
• Experience delivering estimates for large infrastructure, transportation, rail, or complex civil projects.
• Strong understanding of construction methodologies, costing, procurement, and risk management.
• Experience leading estimating teams and developing high-performing professionals.
• Excellent communication with executives, operations teams, consultants, and subcontractors.

Responsibilities

• Develop bid strategies balancing competitiveness with risk.
• Lead preparation and review of detailed estimates for large civil projects.
• Oversee labour, equipment, material, subcontractor, and indirect costs.
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, procurement, and project controls to win pursuits.
• Evaluate design options and recommend cost-effective solutions.
• Review subcontractor Pricing and strengthen industry relationships.
• Support change management, cost forecasting, and value engineering.
• Maintain historical cost databases and estimating best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement in estimating systems, processes, and reporting.
• Coach and develop a high-performance estimating team.

Skills

Estimating leadership

Bid strategy

Cost management

Analytical thinking

Communication with executives

Education

Engineering/Construction Management degree

Tools

Estimating software

MS Office

Job description

Compensation $180,000-$200,000 (based on experience)

Reference # 16817623

THE OPPORTUNITY:

Shape the Pursuits that build major infrastructure. We're partnering with an established heavy civil contractor delivering large, technically complex infrastructure projects across Ontario. With a strong pipeline of transportation, rail, and civil infrastructure work, they're looking for an experienced Chief Estimator to lead their estimating function and play a key role in business growth.

This is more than a leadership position—it's an opportunity to influence project selection, mentor a high-performing estimating team, and work alongside executive leadership on some of the province's most challenging infrastructure pursuits.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:

• Developing bid strategies that balance competitiveness with risk management.
• Leading the preparation and review of detailed estimates for large civil infrastructure projects.
• Providing oversight of labour, equipment, material, subcontractor, and indirect cost estimates.
• Working closely with operations, engineering, commercial, procurement, and project controls to develop winning pursuit strategies.
• Evaluating design alternatives and recommending the most practical and cost-effective construction solutions.
• Reviewing subcontractor and supplier pricing while strengthening key industry relationships.
• Supporting change management, cost forecasting, value engineering, and post-bid reviews.
• Maintaining and enhancing historical cost databases and estimating best practices.
• Driving continuous improvement within estimating systems, processes, and reporting.
• Coaching, mentoring, and developing a team of estimators while fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.

WHAT YOU BRING:

• 10+ years of estimating experience within heavy civil construction.
• Experience delivering estimates for large infrastructure, transportation, rail, or complex civil projects.
• A strong understanding of construction methodologies, productivity, costing, procurement, and risk management.
• Experience leading estimating teams and developing high-performing professionals.
• The ability to communicate confidently with executives, operations teams, consultants, and subcontractors.
• Strong analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Proficiency with industry-standard estimating software and Microsoft Office.
• A degree or diploma in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.

WHY THIS OPPORTUNITY:

• Lead the estimating strategy for complex, high-value infrastructure projects.
• Influence major bid decisions from pursuit planning through submission.
• Work alongside senior operations, engineering, commercial, procurement, and executive leadership.
• Join a company with a strong backlog of secured work and an aggressive growth strategy.
• Build and develop a talented estimating team while helping shape the future direction of the business.
• Expand your portfolio with projects that involve significant technical, financial, and operational complexity.