Lead Estimator

EllisDon; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

EllisDon in Canada seeks a Lead Estimator for transportation infrastructure projects. You will review contracts, set up estimates, mentor junior estimators, and lead bid processes under tight deadlines, coordinating with subcontractors and management.

The role requires a degree in Engineering or Construction, 10+ years in civil construction, and 5+ years estimating experience. Strong communication and budgeting skills are essential, with MS Office proficiency.

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Engineering or Construction.
• 10+ years civil construction experience with a focus on transportation infrastructure (roads, bridges, rail)
• 5+ years of estimating experience.
• Project Management and Field Experience is an asset.
• Good communication and documentation skills.
• Develop and manage budgets.
• Familiarity with B2W Software would be considered an asset
• Well-developed interpersonal customer service and relationship-building skills
• Good oral and written English-language skills
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Self-motivated, energetic, and reliable with a positive disposition
• The ability to work under pressure and to prioritize work effectively
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Responsibilities

• Review contract documents to prepare cost estimates for projects.
• Set up new cost estimates in bidding software.
• Lead a team through the bid process under pressure, mentor junior estimators.
• Prepare reports and lead executive bid review meetings.
• Review schedule for accuracy and determine production rates.
• Contact subcontractors and vendors for division pricing.
• Negotiate subcontractor and vendor pricing.
• Resolve cost discrepancies by analyzing information.
• Assemble accurate, timely estimates including hard-bid, CM, and design-build.
• Organize sub-contractor quotes when bid is successful and assist with buy-out.
• Monitor project success and build relationships with sub-trades for opportunities.
• Distribute sub-trade quotes to personnel and coordinate with management on risk in bid price.
• Support handover to Project Delivery / Operations; assist with material procurements if requested.
• Maintain databases of labour rates, material pricing and project costs.
• Maintain continuity among teams by documenting actions and irregularities.
• Determine bidding standards to improve estimating bid quality and reduce time.

Skills

Cost estimation

Bid management

Team leadership

Negotiation

Vendor pricing

Data management

English communication

Organizational skills

Independent work

Education

Engineering or Construction degree

Tools

B2W Software

MS Office

Job description

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Thinking about a change?

We recognize that the construction industry is changing at a rapid pace and we continually strive to be at the forefront. Our core values empower people to deliver great careers to one another and develop creative solutions for complex problems on some of the most exciting projects. It doesn't matter what your expertise and craft is – there are no boundaries. We are a group of professionals with a variety of expertise within pre‑construction, construction, and post‑construction. To learn more, check out our Cradle to Grave services and hear from our team directly about what a career at EllisDon could look like for you. As you can see, we are a diverse bunch.

Above all, we are a group of individuals with unique experiences and at EllisDon, we choose to celebrate the strength in our differences, every day. EllisDon’s commitment to Inclusive Diversity is to work together to create an environment where every employee feels safe to be their true and authentic self. Ultimately, EllisDon’s purpose is to provide people with similar values the opportunity to achieve to their full potential; to deliver that opportunity for great careers to one another; and to contribute meaningfully to the community we share with others.

In case you're curious, here's what the industry thinks of us and some of the impacts we've made to the communities we work in.

Looby Construction is a part of EllisDon Civil division. Since 1904, Looby Construction has been a strong and reliable provider of heavy civil construction. Today, this team is leading the market with quality work, technical expertise, and safe practices, having delivered a number of unrivaled bridge, culvert and dam construction and rehabilitation projects. When it comes to on‑time and on‑budget work, Looby Construction is the first choice of clients.

You, As a Lead Estimator, Will

• Review contract documents to prepare cost estimate of projects.
• Set up new cost estimates in bidding software.
• Lead a team through the completion of a bid process under pressure, mentor and train junior estimators.
• Prepare reports and lead executive bid review meetings.
• Review schedule for accuracy and determine production rates.
• Contact subcontractors and vendors for specific divisions to get external pricing.
• Negotiate subcontractors and vendor pricing.
• Resolve cost discrepancies by collecting and analyzing information
• Assemble accurate, timely and well organized estimates, including hard‑bid, construction management and design‑build
• Organize sub‑contractor quotes when the bid is successful, re‑writing binders and assisting the buy‑out process
• Monitor the success of a project, noting potential challenges and building relationships with sub‑trades for future opportunities
• Distribute sub‑trade quotes to personnel, flagging areas of concern and coordinating with management to accommodate risk within the bid price
• Support the project handover process to the Project Delivery / Operation teams. If requested, assist with the project material procurements
• Able to work independently and as a team member
• Maintain databases, including labour rates, material pricing and project costs, for future reference
• Maintains quality service by following organization standards.
• Maintains continuity among corporate, division and local work teams by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities and continuing bid needs.
• Determine bidding standards to improve estimating bid quality and reduce estimating time.

Is this the right role for you?

• You have a Degree or Diploma in Engineering or Construction
• 10+ years of civil construction experience with a focus on transportation infrastructure (roads, bridges, rail)
• 5+ years of estimating experience.
• Project Management and Field Experience is an asset.
• Good communication and documentation skills.
• Develop and manage budgets.
• Familiarity with B2W Software would be considered an asset
• Well‑developed interpersonal customer service and relationship‑building skills
• Good oral and written English‑language skills
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Self‑motivated, energetic, and reliable with a positive disposition
• The ability to work under pressure and to prioritize work effectively
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

The salary range for this job is $110,000 - $120,000

EllisDon is proud to provide this unique career opportunity that provides continuous learning, opportunity for growth, and a competitive compensation package within an environment that is committed to inclusion and respects diversity.

Go ahead and be yourself. We'll pay you for it!

We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome people of any age, culture, subculture, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnicity, race, size, mental or physical status, veteran status, religion, language, political opinion, working‑style preference, family status, education, and socio‑economic status. The EllisDon core values of Integrity and Mutual Respect welcomes everyone, at work and in the community, and our value of Mutual Accountability, means that we all have a role to play. As an EllisDon employee, this will ultimately be your commitment to Inclusive Diversity.

Accommodation for Applicants with disabilities will be made during the recruitment process when requested.

We are committed to providing a positive candidate experience and ensuring timely updates are provided to all candidates. If you haven't already, be sure to create a profile on our Careers page to remain up to date on the status of your application and learn about new career opportunities as they arise.

EllisDon uses AI tools to assist in screening and assessing applicants for this position.