Cost Consultant

The opportunity

As a result of accelerated growth, Altus is looking for a new Sr. Cost Consultant to join our Cost Consulting & Project Management division in Calgary. Working with the management team, you will manage multiple projects within the assigned budgets and ensure services are delivered in an efficient and effective manner, providing end-to-end technical expertise to ensure various cost consulting services, such as preliminary cost estimates for high-profile development projects. You will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure ongoing client communication and resolve issues, escalating as required. In addition, you will be a coach and mentor to junior staff members, reviewing their work and guiding their progress.

What's in it for you

Our end-to-end estimating, valuation, data, and technology solutions offer an incredible value proposition to our clients. As a result, we are recognized as leaders and innovators in the industry, creating the cost guide for the construction industry in Canada and pulling information from an incomparable database of knowledge we've created.

Exposure and career growth. You are a Cost Estimator or Quantity Surveyor, and you may be working for a competitor. You are seeking the next level in your career or a move to a scaling company working on a wide range of high-profile projects. You want to move away from single multi-year projects to multiple projects. You will be part of a client service-oriented organization recognized at the top of our industry. You want to expand your knowledge, be mentored, and gain exposure as part of a multi-service company, working with Appraisal, Valuation, and Technology. In addition, you will gain or grow expertise with ARGUS Estate Master and be supported in your pursuit of CIQS designation. As we continue to work with new builds and renovations in the public and private sectors, the opportunity to expand your reach and grow with us exists.

What you will do:

• Provide a full range of cost estimating services to new and existing clients. You will:

  • Review and guide measurement of project statistics/functional areas.

  • Ensure completion of project descriptions and assumptions.

  • Complete design efficiency analysis, along with full trade and elemental take-off.

  • Prepare front-end cost reports to support cost estimates.

  • Complete estimates and reports for final sign-off by a manager.

  • Prepare general condition breakdown.

  • Prepare change order review analysis and lifecycle cost estimates.

  • Reconcile estimates with tenders, owner's budgets and contractor's estimates.

• Manage relationships and grow the business. You will:

  • Develop and build long-term client relationships which result in repeat business, referrals and service expansion, including up-sells & cross-sells across other Business Units within Altus.

  • Lead the assessment of client requirements, conduct project reviews and deal with issues efficiently and effectively.

  • Work with Management to support the implementation of strategies that contribute to the business unit's revenue generation, profitability, and growth – locally and nationally.

  • Lead the implementation of approved business plans and act as a champion for these initiatives within the team.

  • Provide leadership, guidance, coaching, mentoring and support to all direct reports.

You will have:

• The qualifications. You have a degree or diploma in Architecture, Civil/Structural Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Building Science, or a related field. You are working towards PQS designation, CIQS/RICS membership, or LEED accreditation.

• The construction industry expertise. You have 6+ years of experience in cost estimating and project monitoring, and in-depth practice applying your knowledge of factors influencing construction costs to pricing estimates. You have senior-level experience in construction estimating, procurement, scheduling, cost planning and project monitoring services for commercial projects. You have strong knowledge of RICS Project Monitoring guidelines, CIQS standard method of measurement, both elemental and trade, provincial lien acts, and CCDC standard contract conditions.

• The people and project leadership. You can anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of clients, and you are driven to meet or exceed their expectations. You can innovate solutions to keep the project - and the business - moving forward. You can influence and inspire a cross-functional team, coach and mentor junior individuals, review and guide work products and roll up your sleeves as a critical collaborator. You can plan and deliver multiple complex projects with competing priorities, on time and on budget.

• The technical skills. You can interpret take-off architectural and structural drawings. You are highly proficient with Sharepoint and MS Office, including Project, and CostX.

• The interpersonal skills. You can build and foster relationships with internal and client stakeholders across all levels of construction projects, gathering information and eliciting cooperation both onsite and virtually. You are an effective communicator who can clarify ambiguities and present information in a structured way that makes sense. You can relay delays and setbacks while managing expectations and retaining the client's confidence. You have excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills.