Cost Estimator

An exciting Estimating / Cost Estimating job role to work on large infrastructure projects in Vancouver.   As part of the estimating team, you will support the Senior Estimator on large projects, and you will work independently on your own smaller estimating work. 
This is a unique opportunity to join a premium highly regarded specialist project management, engineering, cost and risk management consultancy based in Vancouver, Canada.
This employer is a premium Maxim repeat client and we recommend them very highly.  A full client profile will be provided to applicants shortlisted for interview.

Project Details

An exciting Estimating job role to work on large infrastructure projects, and to work independently on your own smaller estimating project work.  As part of the estimating team, you will support the Senior Estimator on large projects, and you will work independently on your own smaller estimating work. 

You will work with colleagues as a cohesive team and provide support to the estimating function and wider business. 

You will have had some estimating experience but will be ambitious and looking for fast-track training and will be seeking an ambitious career path through the construction estimating ranks. 

As Cost Estimator, you will be located in Vancouver and will work both from home and be based in the downtown Vancouver office as required.  Your Estimator and Cost Estimating role will be to work on a number of civil engineering infrastructure and rail and transit projects to be constructed in Canada with a focus on the British Columbia market.

The employing company is a small Client focused business that is well known within the Canadian market for their ability to lead and deliver project success.

The Cost Estimator role is to work with a range of new and repeat clients to establish construction and project budgets for Clients in the Highway & Bridge, Transportation, Ports & Marine, Rail, Transit and other related civil engineering infrastructure and transportation sectors.

The budgets you will be responsible for will shape the future paths of the projects through financial approvals, procurement and into construction.

This exciting construction Estimating job role is not just focused on the market rates and costs for construction but will challenge your constructability and scheduling skills to ensure the bespoke elements of the individual projects are captured within the budgets set.
The estimators working for this company become an integral part of the Client team. Through control of the cost, schedule and constructability they are in a strong position to advise the design team in developing a design that is as efficient as possible, while meeting the needs of the Client.

The Estimating individual recruited and employed will be focused, a good communicator and will be self-confident.

The company culture of this employer is one that empowers individuals to self-manage the needs of the Client with the support of the company owners.

The successful candidate will have the freedom to establish their own Client base and niche markets that they can ultimately manage as the company expands.

Responsibilities and Duties

This Cost Estimator job will have core duties that include the following; training can be provided in some areas if not all duties have previously been undertaken such as:

• Cost estimating and pricing of projects from the ground up using Labour, Equipment and Materials supported by a construction schedule and constructability plan.
• Advising clients on budgets and in due course helping them to manage their cost management systems.
• Working as an integral part of a team comprising designers, planners and specialist advisors.
• Commercial management duties
• Live client interface responsibilities
• Working successfully in a team environment
• Understanding, identifying and evaluating project risks for inclusion in the project budget
• Costing project from drawings at different stages of design from preliminary through conceptual to IFC drawings, using real world construction experience rather than a purely theoretical approach
• Ability to review tender documents, geotechnical reports and construction drawings and be able to predict future project duration to establish robust project budgets
• Able to understand and use HSS, HeavyBid, Bid2Win or other comparable construction sector pricing software

This Cost Estimator job role requires an ambitious, proactive and cerebral candidate that is seeking to make an impact on the outcome of projects from their first concept through design, procurement and construction.

Desired Skills and Experience

• At least 4 or more years of previous Cost estimating experience within the construction industry in Canada, ideally from within the Greater Vancouver area within British Columbia
• Experience gained within construction contracting is preferred, ideally on projects of between $20m-$200m + in value.
• Preference is for estimating experience gained from working on electrical systems and rail and trackwork projects or transferrable experience from power, oil & gas or major building or civil engineering infrastructure projects
• Experience in advising clients on budgets and managing cost control systems is highly desirable
• Experience working in Canada on civil engineering infrastructure, major building or rail/transit projects is desirable although good quality international experience is also acceptable
• Commercial management experience would be beneficial
• Client interface experience is important
• Experienced in working in a team environment with the confidence to self-manage on a daily basis with support from company Directors.
• Demonstrable understanding of identifying, managing and evaluating project risks is essential.
• Hands-on experience using HSS, HeavyBid, Bid2Win or other comparable construction sector pricing software is expected

Previous construction project estimating experience needs to demonstrate the above capabilities and be able to evidence a proactive and innovative approach to the estimating and project costing process.

A demonstrable passion is needed that will ensure that cost systems are set up appropriately to be able to allow costs to be managed throughout the construction process to ensure successful project completion.

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• A professional qualification in construction is highly desirable although hands on cost estimating and commercial management experience is most critical.
• Canadian Citizenship or the current right to work in Canada is an ESSENTIAL criteria for consideration for this role.
• Current location and experience of Vancouver / British Columbia construction and ideally civil engineering infrastructure projects is highly desirable

Employing Company Overview and Profile

This premium Canadian construction industry employer is a highly regarded specialist project management, engineering, cost and risk management consultancy based in Vancouver, Canada.

They benefit from having an excellent reputation and forward order book of confirmed work on a range of infrastructure, transportation, civil engineering, road, highway, bridge and transportation projects in Canada with a focus on the BC market.

A full client profile will be provided to applicants shortlisted for interview.

Additional Benefits Package and Incentives

• Generous salary based on candidate experience
• Annual Bonus
• 4 weeks vacation in addition to statutory holidays
• Full healthcare package