Estimating Manager

Tahltan-Nation-Development-Lp; Drumheller; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

TNDC is seeking an Estimating Manager to lead our estimating function within heavy civil construction. The role builds estimates for earthworks, mining infrastructure, and roadbuilding while collaborating with Operations to understand project requirements.

In this hands-on leadership position, you will develop systems, cost databases, and standards to support future growth, mentor staff, and drive continuous improvement across the estimating team.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree or equivalent experience in Civil Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible construction estimating experience.
• Heavy civil estimating experience with earthworks, mining infrastructure, roadbuilding.

Responsibilities

• Opportunity Assessment & Bid Strategy: evaluate opportunities, support bid/no-bid decisions, develop pursuit and pricing strategies.
• Estimate Development & Submission: lead and prepare complete estimates, including quantities, labour, materials, subcontractors and contingencies.
• Quality, Handover & Continuous Improvement: maintain traceable estimate files and handover to Operations with conditions and risks.
• Department Development & Leadership: build estimating function, recruit, review estimates and mentor estimators.

Skills

Heavy civil estimating

Production planning

Equipment selection

Costing

Subcontracting

Contract documentation

Commercial judgment

Analytical ability

Communication skills

Bid leadership

Education

Civil Engineering degree or equivalent

Estimating/Construction Management qualification

Tools

HeavyBid

Hard Dollar/InEight

Bid2Win

Job description

LOCATION

Vancouver, Calgary or Dease Lake

STATUS

Full Time, Salaried

CLOSING DATE

Open until filled.

SALARY

$130,000 - $160,000

POSITION SUMMARY

TNDC is seeking an experienced Estimating Manager tolead our estimating function and play a key role in the growth of ourconstruction operations. This is an exciting opportunity for an experiencedestimator or construction professional who enjoys both the technical side ofestimating and the opportunity to build something from the ground up.

In this hands-on leadership role, you will beresponsible for developing accurate, competitive estimates for heavy civil,earthworks, mining, roadbuilding, and related construction projects. You willwork closely with our Construction and Operations teams to understand projectrequirements, develop competitive bids, assess risk, and support successfulproject opportunities from initial review through submission.

As the estimating function continues to grow, you willalso have the opportunity to develop estimating systems, processes, costdatabases, and standards that will form the foundation of a future estimatingteam. This role is ideal for someone who brings strong estimating expertise,sound commercial judgment, and a practical understanding of how projects arebuilt—and who is excited by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact atTNDC.

Responsibilities:

Opportunity Assessment& Bid Strategy

• Partner with Business Development and Operations to evaluateopportunities, support bid/no-bid decisions, and develop practical pursuit andpricing strategies.
• Review client requirements, site conditions, project constraints, andcommercial terms to establish a clear estimating approach.
• Represent TNDC in site visits, pre-bid meetings, clarificationdiscussions, bid reviews, and negotiations as required.

Estimate Development &Submission

• Lead and prepare complete estimates, including quantity take-offs,production assumptions, crew and equipment build-ups, labour, materials,subcontractors, indirect costs, mobilization, escalation, contingency, andmark-up.
• Prepare conceptual, budgetary, unit-rate, lump-sum, cost-reimbursable,and design-build estimates using current market information, historical costs,and productivity data.
• In conjunction with Operations, develop execution plans, constructionmethodologies, preliminary schedules, resource requirements, and riskassessments that support the estimate.
• Manage supplier and subcontractor pricing, final estimate checks,clarifications, qualifications, approvals, and submission requirements.

Quality, Handover &Continuous Improvement

• Maintain complete and traceable estimate files and lead the handover ofsuccessful bids to Operations and Project Management, including scope, pricingbasis, assumptions, risks, and outstanding items.
• Establish and improve TNDC estimating standards, templates, bid reviewprocesses, quality controls, and historical cost information.

Department Development& Leadership

• Build the estimating function over time by identifying resource needs,supporting recruitment, reviewing estimates, and coaching estimators as theteam grows.
• Use post-bid and post-project reviews to compare estimated and actualperformance and improve future estimates.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Post-secondary degree, diploma, trade qualification, or equivalentindustry experience in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Estimating,or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible construction estimatingexperience, including ownership of complete estimates and tender submissions.
• Demonstrated heavy civil estimating experience is required, with strongexposure to earthworks, mining infrastructure, and roadbuilding. Experience inother construction disciplines is an asset.
• Field or project delivery experience in Western Canada, remote, orindustrial environments is a strong asset.
• High proficiency with construction estimating software and advancedMicrosoft Excel skills.
• Experience with HeavyBid, Hard Dollar/InEight, Bid2Win, or comparableplatforms is preferred.

MENTORSHIP AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING

Provide practical leadership and mentorship, promoteknowledge transfer, and support the development of Tahltan employees andrelationships with local and Indigenous businesses where appropriate.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Champion TNDC’svalues of Safety, Tahltan-Centered, Integrity, Respect, Trust, and HighPerformance.
• Advancedknowledge of heavy civil construction methods, production planning, equipmentselection, costing, subcontracting, sequencing, and contract documentation.
• Strongcommercial judgment, analytical ability, attention to detail, and the abilityto identify and manage estimating risk while maintaining a competitiveapproach.
• Clear writtenand verbal communication skills, with the confidence to present and defendestimates to management, partners, clients, and project teams.
• Ability to workindependently, manage competing deadlines, and maintain estimate quality infast-paced bid environments.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This Vancouver, Calgary, or Dease Lake based position requires travel toproject locations within Tahltan Territory and other remote or industrialsites.
• Workload and hours may fluctuate around site visits, bid deadlines, andtender closings.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and fitness-for-work assessmentwhere required for site access
• Valid Class 5 driver’s licence and acceptable driver’s abstract, asrequired for site travel
• Willingness to sign an Oath of Confidentiality and comply with TNDCpolicies and client site requirements

SUPERVISION

Initially, the Estimating Manager will operate without direct reports asTNDC’s primary estimating function. As the department grows, the role maysupervise Estimator(s), Junior Estimator(s), Proposal Coordinator(s), and otherassigned personnel.

Indigenous Hiring Preference

As a Tahltan-owned organization, TNDC is committed to creating meaningfulemployment and career development opportunities for Tahltan Nation members andIndigenous Peoples. In support of this commitment, preference may be given toqualified applicants who are Tahltan Nation members, followed by qualifiedapplicants who identify as Indigenous.

All applicants are encouraged to apply. Hiring decisions will considerthe qualifications, skills and experience required for the position, togetherwith TNDC’s commitment to increasing Indigenous participation in our workforce.