Chief Estimator - CapWest

Job Description:

Are you a numbers-savy, business orientated construction professional looking to take the next step in your career? Look no further!

CapWest is looking for a Chief Estimator to join their team. The Chief Estimator is responsible for leading and managing the estimating function across all CapWest Group of Companies entities, including but not limited to: Forming, Pumping, Framing, Exterior Panel Systems, Drywall, Civil, and new acquisitions. This role owns the bid process from initial opportunity through final submission, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and compliance across every division.

The Chief Estimator works closely with the Chief Operating Officer and the Director of Business Operations and Development to prioritize pursuits, manage estimating workload and timelines, and continuously streamline estimating processes company-wide. The role also maintains ownership of project budgets through the life of each project, including Change Order pricing, so that actual results inform future pricing, and builds relationships across the ICI and Infrastructure market sectors.

Perks:

• Competitive pay & a Comprehensive Benefits Package.
• Benefits include company-paid extended health care, dental care, vision care, life insurance, critical illness, and critical life insurance.
• Annual Education Allowance
• Generous Referral Program
• Fun & collaborative company culture with lots of team-building events
• Local discounts to restaurants, clothing stores, personal training, and more
• Free access to a fully equipped gym
• Friends and Family rates for hospitality brands

What you will do

Bid Management (Start to Finish)

• Lead and manage all bids and proposals from receipt of tender documents through final submission and post-bid follow-up.
• Review tender documents, drawings, specifications, and addenda to define scope, identify risks, and confirm bid requirements for each division.
• Assign estimating resources, set internal milestones, and coordinate quantity take-offs, pricing, subcontractor and supplier quotations, and bid assembly.
• Coordinate with Operations, Field, and Business Development teams to ensure constructability, schedule, and resource assumptions are reflected in each estimate.
• Lead bid handover meetings with Project Management and Operations on awarded work.

Bid Review & Quality Control

• Conduct a final review of every bid prior to submission to confirm scope coverage, pricing accuracy, inclusions and exclusions, and alignment with company margin targets.
• Verify that estimates are complete, internally consistent, and supported by current cost data, productivity rates, and quotations.
• Approve or elevate bid pricing, qualifications, and commercial terms in accordance with company authority limits.

Compliance Across All Entities

• Ensure all bids and submissions meet client, contractual, bonding, insurance, prequalification, and regulatory requirements for each CapWest entity.
• Maintain standardized bid checklists, templates, and sign-off procedures and ensure they are consistently applied across all divisions.
• Keep accurate records of bid submissions, results, and lessons learned for each entity.

Reporting & Communication

• Provide regular updates on bid status, workload, upcoming deadlines, and results to the Chief Operating Officer and the Director of Business Operations and Development.
• Report on hit rates, margin trends, and estimating performance by division and recommend adjustments to pursuit strategy.
• Communicate bid risks, resource constraints, and go/no-go recommendations clearly and in a timely manner.

Prioritization & Time Management

• Assist leadership in prioritizing projects and pursuits based on strategic fit, capacity, risk, and probability of award.
• Manage the estimating calendar across all divisions to balance workload, avoid conflicts, and meet all submission deadlines.
• Allocate estimating time and resources to the opportunities with the greatest value to the company.

Process Improvement & Standardization

• Develop, document, and continuously improve estimating processes, tools, and cost databases across all divisions.
• Streamline workflows between Estimating, Business Development, Operations, and Accounting to reduce duplication and improve turnaround time.
• Standardize estimating software, templates, and reporting formats across the CapWest Group of Companies.
• Mentor, train, and develop estimating staff and support consistent estimating practices in every division.

Project Budget Tracking & Change Management

• Monitor awarded project budgets against the original estimate throughout the life of each project and assist with reviewing variances by cost code and division.
• Analyze actual costs, productivity, and buyout results at project milestones and close-out and feed the findings back into unit rates, cost databases, and future pricing.
• Assist with identification, creation, and pricing of Change Orders, ensuring scope, cost, and schedule impacts are fully captured and consistent with the original estimate.
• Follow Change Orders through to client approval, including supporting documentation, negotiation, and coordination with Project Management and Accounting on billing.
• Participate in post-project reviews to compare estimated versus actual performance and document lessons learned.

Industry Relationships & Market Intelligence

• Develop and maintain relationships with Chief Estimators and senior estimating staff at general contractors, owners, and key trade partners.
• Stay connected to the ICI (Industrial, Commercial, Institutional) and Infrastructure market sectors to anticipate upcoming work, pricing trends, and client expectations.
• Gather market intelligence on competitor activity, labour and material pricing, and sector conditions and share it with leadership to inform pursuit strategy.
• Represent CapWest at industry associations, bid-related meetings, and pre-bid site visits as required.

Internal Coordination

• Ensure visibility of all active and upcoming bids across all divisions.
• Collaborate with the COO, Director of Business Operations & Development and Business Development Manager to align estimating effort with pipeline priorities and client expectations.
• Build and maintain relationships with key subcontractors, suppliers, and consultants to support competitive pricing.

What you bring

• 10+ years of progressive construction estimating experience, including 3+ years in a senior or lead estimating role.
• Demonstrated estimating experience in both the ICI (Industrial, Commercial, Institutional) and Infrastructure sectors is required.
• Strong knowledge of concrete forming, pumping, framing, exterior panel systems, drywall, and civil construction preferred.
• Experience tracking project budgets against estimates and creating, pricing, and negotiating Change Orders.
• Established network of industry relationships with Chief Estimators, general contractors, and trade partners across the ICI and Infrastructure markets.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent bids and lead estimating teams to meet tight deadlines.
• Thorough understanding of contract documents, tender requirements, bonding, insurance, and compliance obligations.
• Proficiency with estimating and take-off software and Microsoft Office; experience standardizing systems across multiple entities is an asset.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and time-management skills with a high level of attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to present clearly to senior leadership.
• Post-secondary education in Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or a related field preferred; GSC or PQS designation is an asset.

Salary Range:

$150k - $200k

About The Company:

Founded on more than 35 years of collective professional experience, CapWest is specialized in meeting the modern needs of the growing construction industry in North America. We provide integrated solutions for clients across diverse industries, following an efficient and cooperative approach, and always delivering project certainty. We believe it is the culmination of our passion for providing world-class construction and construction management services, while also fostering long-term relationships that yield exceptional and innovative outcomes that continue to shape the industry.

AI Use:

This role may involve the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support research, analysis, content development, design, reporting, or operational efficiency. Employees are expected to use AI responsibly and in compliance with company policies, data privacy requirements, confidentiality obligations, and applicable laws.

All AI-generated or AI-assisted outputs must be reviewed for accuracy, quality, and appropriateness before use. Employees are also expected to disclose when AI tools have been used in the creation of work and must not present AI-generated content as solely their own original work.