Are you a numbers-savy, business orientated construction professional looking to take the next step in your career? 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. 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.

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.

Fun & collaborative company culture with lots of team-building events

Local discounts to restaurants, clothing stores, personal training, and more

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.

Ensure all bids and submissions meet client, contractual, bonding, insurance, prequalification, and regulatory requirements for each CapWest entity.

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.

Assist leadership in prioritizing projects and pursuits based on strategic fit, capacity, risk, and probability of award.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 creative outcomes that continue to shape the industry.

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.

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📌 Chief estimator - construction (Vancouver)
🏢 CapWest
📍 Vancouver