Chief Estimator – Commercial Construction

Chief Estimator / Estimating Manager
Surrey, BC | $130,000–$160,000 + incentive bonus

Lead the team. Shape the department. Help drive expansion across Western Canada.

MatchBox Consulting Group is partnering with an established commercial specialty contractor to hire a Chief Estimator / Estimating Manager at a significant stage of growth.

With more than 45 years in British Columbia, this business has built its reputation delivering steel stud, drywall and ceiling packages on complex commercial projects. Now expanding into Alberta and Saskatchewan, it is looking for an estimating leader who can build on that foundation and help support its next chapter.

The work spans hospitals, data centres, schools, theatres, fire halls and other commercial developments, with typical project packages ranging from $2 million to $20 million.

For an experienced estimating leader ready for broader ownership, this is an opportunity to take charge of a department, develop its people and influence how a growing contractor pursues and wins work.

The opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Preconstruction, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day estimating function and lead an existing team of five estimators, with further team growth anticipated.

Your first approximately 90 days will include hands-on estimating as you learn the business, its projects and its approach. From there, your focus will shift increasingly toward team leadership, bid strategy, estimate reviews and process improvement.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Lead and develop the team: Set expectations, manage workloads, establish accountability and help estimators take projects confidently from initial review through tender submission.

• Guide bid decisions: Assess opportunities, coordinate estimating resources and lead bid strategy and final reviews.

• Protect project profitability: Challenge scope coverage, labour productivity, logistics, indirect costs and risk assumptions before bids go out.

• Improve how the department works: Refine workflows, standardize templates and strengthen pricing databases, labour units and reporting.

• Connect estimating with delivery: Improve project handoffs and work with operations to ensure awarded work starts with clear scope, assumptions and expectations.

• Support expansion: Help develop the estimating capacity and consistency needed as the business enters new markets.

What you bring

You combine strong commercial estimating judgment with proven experience managing an estimating team. You know how to produce a sound estimate, explain the decisions behind it and build that capability in others.

Your background will ideally include:

• 10+ years of commercial construction estimating experience.

• 3–5 years of leadership experience, including direct responsibility for an estimating team.

• Strong knowledge of tender documents, contracts, specifications and procurement.

• Experience managing multiple concurrent bids and competing deadlines.

• A track record of improving estimating quality, developing people and taking ownership of results.

Steel stud, drywall, ceilings or related interiors experience is preferred. Strong candidates from commercial general contractors and adjacent specialty trades will also be considered.

You do not need to hold a Chief Estimator title today. You may be an Estimating Manager, Lead Estimator, Senior Estimator or Preconstruction Manager ready for a larger mandate, provided you have already managed an estimating team.

Relevant construction, engineering or quantity surveying education, Gold Seal certification, and experience with OST, WinBid, Bluebeam, Procore or Excel are assets.

What’s offered

• $130,000–$160,000 base salary, plus an incentive bonus.

• Three weeks of vacation, plus approximately one additional week around the holidays.

• Extended health, dental and vision coverage.

For more current job opportunities, Follow MatchBox at linkedin.com/company/matchbox-recruitment/

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About MatchBox

Headquartered in downtown Vancouver and serving clients nationally, MatchBox is one of the leading recruitment and solutions firms that specializes in the fields of IT & Technology, Engineering & Technical, Real Estate & Construction, and Accounting & Finance. We offer unrivaled expertise with our team's extensive experience in the recruitment and professional services industry. We are dedicated to building great connections and creating strong opportunities within the workforce and the labor market.

Equal Opportunities

MatchBox is committed to providing equal opportunities for all applicants. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including members of minority groups such as racialized individuals, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and Indigenous peoples. It is a priority for us that all candidates are treated fairly and without discrimination. Our recruitment teams receive ongoing training on using objective criteria for evaluating candidates and other related topics to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Work Permits

Please note that we require all interested candidates to obtain the necessary work permits from the Government of Canada prior to submitting an application. This position is open exclusively to individuals residing in Canada and legally authorized to work in Canada. Applications not meeting these criteria will not be considered.

Further Consideration

We receive a high volume of applications and are only able to contact candidates who are selected for further consideration.

Find out more at www.matchboxhr.com
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