Chief Estimator

Chief Estimator

South Western Ontario | General Contracting

Base Salary: $180,000–$200,000+ | Bonus | Vehicle Allowance | RRSP | Benefits

The Opportunity

A growing Southwestern Ontario general contractor is seeking a strategic and commercially minded Chief Estimator to lead its estimating function through a significant period of growth.

The company’s project workload is expected to increase substantially over the next year, creating the need for a senior estimating leader who can provide stronger strategic direction, expand bidding capabilities and help shape the future of the preconstruction department.

This is not a role for someone looking to simply maintain an existing process.

The successful candidate will be expected to bring energy, sound judgment and a progressive approach to estimating. They will lead a strong existing team, improve bid strategy, assess new markets and help the organization pursue increasingly complex construction opportunities.

For the right individual, this position offers a clear pathway toward a future Director of Preconstruction or broader executive leadership role.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and provide strategic direction to the estimating department
• Manage, mentor and develop a team of senior, intermediate and junior estimators
• Establish clear bid strategies and lead go/no-go decision-making
• Oversee the preparation, review and finalization of major construction estimates
• Evaluate project risk, opportunity, contract structure and anticipated margins
• Lead pricing strategy for construction management, lump-sum and design-build opportunities
• Participate in contract negotiations with owners, consultants and other key stakeholders
• Strengthen estimating processes, controls and accountability across the department
• Work closely with executive leadership, business development, preconstruction and operations
• Identify new sectors, project types and geographic markets that support the company’s growth strategy
• Challenge existing assumptions and help increase the organization’s comfort with calculated commercial risk
• Support the development of internal succession plans and future estimating leaders
• Ensure project handoffs between estimating, preconstruction and operations are complete and effective

Project Experience

The ideal candidate will bring broad general contracting experience across several of the following areas:

• Commercial construction
• Large-scale renovations
• Mid-rise and high-rise construction
• Long-term care and institutional projects
• Construction management
• Lump-sum contracting
• Design-build delivery
• CCDC contract structures
• Complex projects requiring detailed risk analysis and subcontractor coordination

Experience expanding into additional sectors such as water and wastewater, infrastructure or other technically complex markets would be considered an asset.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will likely have:

• A minimum of 12 years of progressive construction estimating experience
• At least three years of formal leadership or people-management experience
• A strong background working directly for a general contractor
• Experience leading or significantly contributing to a comparable estimating department
• Strong knowledge of construction management, lump-sum and design-build delivery models
• Demonstrated experience making strategic bid and risk decisions
• The ability to assess contract terms, pricing exposure, margin opportunity and project complexity
• Experience negotiating with clients, consultants, subcontractors and project stakeholders
• A proven ability to mentor experienced estimators and build internal capability
• Broad construction knowledge rather than a highly specialized or narrowly defined project background
• Strong commercial judgment and the confidence to challenge conventional thinking

Leadership Profile

This role requires more than technical estimating ability.

The company is looking for someone who is:

• Assertive, driven and tenacious
• Strategically agile
• Comfortable making difficult decisions
• Energized by growth and organizational change
• Able to influence senior leaders and earn the trust of experienced team members
• Comfortable operating in an entrepreneurial, fast-moving environment
• Willing to take calculated risks rather than defaulting to the safest available option
• Capable of introducing change without alienating an established team
• Interested in building something rather than simply maintaining the status quo

The successful candidate must be able to balance ambition with discipline. They will be expected to pursue stronger margins and more complex opportunities while maintaining appropriate risk controls.

The Existing Team

The Chief Estimator will initially lead a department consisting of approximately three to four estimating professionals, including two experienced Senior Estimators.

The existing team is technically capable and will continue to play an important role in preparing and finalizing estimates. The new leader will be responsible for elevating the department strategically, developing the team and creating stronger pathways for future internal advancement.

This individual must be able to establish credibility quickly while respecting the experience already within the organization.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Meaningful Executive Influence

This role will have direct access to senior leadership and genuine influence over the company’s future project strategy, market expansion and estimating practices.

Clear Career Growth

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to grow into a broader Director of Preconstruction or executive leadership position as the organization continues to expand.

Significant Company Growth

The company is entering a period of major growth, with its anticipated project workload expected to increase substantially.

Opportunity to Build

This is an opportunity to shape a department, introduce new ideas and create more sophisticated estimating and preconstruction capabilities.

Strong Existing Foundation

The successful candidate will inherit an experienced estimating team and an established construction business rather than starting from zero.

Flexible Compensation

The company is prepared to structure a competitive compensation package around the right candidate and will consider the individual’s current earnings, bonus structure and overall expectations.

Compensation

The anticipated compensation package includes:

• Base salary of approximately $180,000–$200,000
• Performance bonus with potential earnings of up to approximately 20% of base salary
• Flexibility to create a more customized executive bonus structure for an exceptional candidate
• Vehicle allowance
• Employer-paid RRSP contribution of 3%
• Comprehensive benefits with multiple plan options
• Vacation
• Potential signing or relocation assistance

Candidates currently earning above the stated range may still be considered where their experience and strategic value justify a broader total compensation discussion.

Location and Work Environment

This is a full-time, office-based leadership role located in Oxford County.

Relocation support may be available for candidates interested in moving closer to Southwestern Ontario.

Confidentiality

This search is being conducted confidentially. Additional information regarding the company, reporting structure, project portfolio and leadership team will be shared with qualified candidates during the recruitment process.