Senior Estimator

ECL Group of Companies; Calgary; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

ECL Group of Companies in Calgary, AB, seeks a Senior Estimator to lead the estimating function for heavy civil and infrastructure projects. You will own the tender process from opportunity to submission and guide a team of estimators to produce competitive, accurate bids.

You will review drawings and specs, perform quantity takeoffs, price labour/equipment/materials, assess risk, and present bid strategies to senior leadership. Occasional travel and overtime may be required.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of construction estimating experience, preferably heavy civil/infrastructure.
• Experience mentoring estimators or leading an estimating team.
• Strong knowledge of heavy civil construction methods, materials, and production.

Responsibilities

• Lead the estimating function, pursuing new opportunities and building pricing.
• Coach and develop junior estimators and assign work across the team.
• Prepare complete, compliant bid submissions and present estimates to senior leadership.
• Collaborate with operations to ensure bids align with project plans and risk management.

Skills

Mentoring estimators

Leadership

Analytical ability

Stakeholder communication

Education

Post-secondary education in Civil Engineering/Construction Management or related

Tools

HeavyBid

HeavyJob

HCSS tools

Job description

Senior Estimator Type: On Site, Full-timeLocation: Calgary, AB

About Our Client

Our client is a respected heavy civil contractor with deep roots in the Calgary market, building roads, infrastructure, and site works for municipal, provincial, and private sector owners throughout Southern Alberta.This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced estimator who wants to lead. You will own the tender process from opportunity to submission, guide and develop a team of estimators, and directly influence which projects the company pursues and how it wins them.

What You’ll Be Doing

Reporting to the Pre-Construction Manager, you will lead the estimating function, pursuing new opportunities, building competitive pricing, and making sure every bid is accurate, well-reasoned, and submitted on time. You will also act as the link between pre-construction and operations, setting projects up for success from the moment they are awarded.

Building the Estimate

Develop comprehensive, accurate cost estimates for heavy civil and infrastructure projects.

Review drawings, specifications, and contract documents to define scope and uncover project requirements.

Complete quantity takeoffs and price labour, equipment, materials, trade partners, and indirect costs.

Assess project risk across schedule, utilities, geotechnical conditions, environmental factors, and procurement, and price contingency and escalation accordingly.

Bring forward alternative approaches and value engineering ideas that strengthen pricing without sacrificing quality.

Use HeavyBid and related tools to produce estimates efficiently and consistently.

Running the Tender

Interpret tender packages and contract terms to identify obligations, risks, and opportunities.

Solicit and evaluate quotes from subcontractors and suppliers, building a dependable network of trade partners.

Assemble complete, compliant bid submissions and deliver them on schedule.

Present estimates and bid strategy to senior leadership for review and approval.

Support RFP and proposal responses with technical and pricing input.

Track upcoming opportunities and market conditions using HCSS Pre-Construction and internal tracking tools.

Keep cost databases, production rates, and historical records current and reliable.

Leading the Team

Plan and assign estimating work across the team to keep multiple pursuits on track.

Coach and develop junior estimators, reviewing their work for accuracy and consistency.

Build a team culture grounded in open communication, collaboration, and ownership.

Partner with contract administration to keep the bid schedule and estimate log up to date.

Work with operations and project leaders to pressure-test assumptions, methods, and savings opportunities before bids go out.

Handing Off & Learning Forward

Lead turnover meetings with project managers and superintendents so awarded work starts with a clear plan.

Close the loop after projects wrap up, comparing estimated and actual performance to sharpen future pricing.

Building Relationships

Strengthen relationships with owners, consultants, trade partners, suppliers, and industry contacts.

Represent the company at pre-bid meetings, site walks, and industry events.

Safety & Integrity

Champion a safety-first culture and support incident-free operations, including proactive reporting of hazards, near misses, and quality concerns.

Conduct all work in line with the company’s ethics standards and policies.

What You Bring

Education & Experience:

Post-secondary education in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.

10+ years of construction estimating experience, preferably in heavy civil, roadwork, or infrastructure.

A solid understanding of public and private sector procurement and competitive tendering.

Experience mentoring other estimators or leading an estimating team.

Technical Skills:

In-depth knowledge of heavy civil construction methods, materials, and production.

Strong command of estimating software; hands-on experience with HeavyBid, HeavyJob, or other HCSS products is a definite asset.

Excellent numerical and analytical ability, with a sound approach to risk.

A detail-oriented mindset and comfort working through large, complex tender packages.

Working Conditions:

Occasional travel and overtime as project needs require.

Must comply with company policies, including drug and alcohol testing requirements.