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Position DescriptionPrimary Purpose of Position:The Chief Estimator is responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight of all estimating activities across the organization. This role leads the development of competitive, accurate, and profitable bids while ensuring consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the estimating function.
Working closely with executive leadership, operations, business development, and project teams, the Chief Estimator will help identify opportunities, evaluate risk, improve bid performance, and support long-term revenue growth. This position plays a critical role in maintaining PDI's reputation as a trusted leader in the demolition industry.
Job Duties- Lead all estimating operations across demolition, decommissioning, environmental remediation, and industrial projects.
- Oversee the preparation, review, and submission of accurate and competitive estimates ranging from $1M to $50M+.
- Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to estimating team members while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Monitor estimating performance, forecasting accuracy, win rates, and margin achievement, providing regular reporting to executive leadership.
- Support business development initiatives by participating in client meetings, proposal presentations, and strategic growth opportunities across Canada.
- Develop detailed cost models, pricing strategies, and financial analyses to support profitable project pursuits.
- Review drawings, specifications, geotechnical reports, environmental assessments, and tender documentation to identify project risks, opportunities, and cost drivers.
- Evaluate demolition methodologies, project sequencing, labour requirements, equipment utilization, subcontractor strategies, and execution risks during the estimating process.
- Ensure all estimates appropriately account for hazardous material abatement, waste classification, disposal requirements, environmental regulations, and site-specific conditions.
- Collaborate with operations teams to align estimate assumptions with project execution plans and field realities.
- Lead bid strategy discussions, bid/no-bid evaluations, and risk assessments to support informed decision-making.
- Review and validate subcontractor and supplier pricing while maintaining strong industry relationships.
- Identify opportunities for material recovery, recycling, salvage, and other value-generating strategies that enhance competitiveness.
- Support contract reviews, bonding requirements, insurance considerations, and commercial risk assessments.
The responsibilities outlined above describe the general nature of this role and are not intended to be an exhaustive list. Additional duties may be assigned as required to support business needs.
Position Requirements- 10-15+ years of progressive estimating experience within demolition, heavy civil, construction, industrial services, or a related sector.
- Post-secondary education in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related discipline. Equivalent industry experience will be considered.
- Demonstrated success leading large, complex estimates and proposals valued from $1M to $50M+.
- Previous experience leading, mentoring, and developing estimating professionals.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to evaluate project risk, competitive positioning, margin opportunities, and long-term business impacts.
- Strong knowledge of demolition methodologies including structural, industrial, selective, interior, environmental abatement, and high-hazard projects.
- Proven ability to build, analyze, and defend complex cost models and estimate strategies.
- Experience using estimating software such as B2W Suite, HCSS HeavyBid, Timberline, or similar platforms, combined with advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications, environmental reports, geotechnical investigations, and tender documentation.
- Strong understanding of environmental regulations, hazardous materials management, waste disposal requirements, and associated project costing.
- Working knowledge of surety bonding requirements, CCDC contract structures, and owner-controlled insurance programs.
- Familiarity with Indigenous procurement requirements, partnership obligations, and procurement frameworks, particularly within Western Canada.
- Experience with industrial decommissioning, energy transition, and large-scale infrastructure projects is considered a strong asset.
Role Transparency This posting represents a current, approved vacancy that Priestly Demolition is actively hiring for. This position does not use artificial intelligence (AI) as part of the candidate screening or selection process; all applications are reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team.
