Estimating Department Manager - Black & McDonald

Estimating Department Manager

Black & McDonald

Dartmouth, NS

Black & McDonald is seeking an experienced Estimating Department Manager to lead its estimating function for the Atlantic Region. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced construction and estimating leader who enjoys building strong teams, guiding complex bids, developing relationships across the industry, and helping shape how projects move from opportunity to execution.

You’ll lead a skilled estimating team supporting projects across the commercial, government, industrial, utility, and institutional sectors while contributing to bid strategy, risk assessment, operational planning, and long-term business success.

Role Overview

Reporting to the Regional Vice President, Maritimes, the Estimating Department Manager will oversee the estimating function for the region, providing leadership, technical oversight, and strategic direction to the team.

The successful candidate will balance strong estimating expertise with people leadership, business judgment, and relationship management. You’ll be responsible for ensuring estimates are accurate, competitive, and complete while developing the team, strengthening processes, and supporting Black & McDonald’s continued growth in Atlantic Canada.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, coach, and mentor a team of Estimators, assign work, support professional development, and foster accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Estimating Oversight: Oversee and, where required, prepare estimates for labour, materials, equipment, and subcontracted work based on drawings, specifications, tender documents, and contract requirements.
• Bid Strategy & Risk Assessment: Review estimates, assess project risks and opportunities, support bid strategy, and ensure final submissions are accurate, competitive, and commercially sound.
• Supplier & Subcontractor Engagement: Work closely with suppliers, subcontractors, owners, consultants, designers, and architects to develop pricing, clarify scope, and support successful tender submissions.
• Department Operations: Lead the overall function of the estimating department, including staffing, workflow, performance management, resource planning, and departmental priorities.
• Process & Continuous Improvement: Develop and maintain estimating procedures, tools, data, and metrics that strengthen consistency, accuracy, efficiency, and decision-making.
• Industry & Client Relationships: Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, suppliers, subcontractors, and industry partners while representing Black & McDonald within the local market.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration- Partner closely with Operations and regional leadership to support project handover, planning, execution, and overall business performance.

What You Bring

• 5-10+ years of progressive construction estimating experience, with strong knowledge of tendering, planning, drawings, specifications, contracts, and project risk.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams.
• Strong analytical, communication, organization, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience with estimating platforms such as Accubid, Autobid, Bid2Win, Excel, or similar.
• Degree, diploma, trade background, or equivalent combination of technical and estimating experience.
• PMP, Gold Seal Certification, construction safety certifications, and/or an MBA would be considered assets.

Why Black & McDonald?

With more than 100 years of experience, Black & McDonald offers the stability of an established organization with opportunities for continued professional growth. Employees receive a competitive compensation package, Health and Dental benefits, employer-matched Pension Plan, incentive plan, flexible work hours, summer hours, and ongoing career development opportunities. Black & McDonald is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment and selection process. To learn more about Black & McDonald, please visit: their website link: https://blackandmcdonald.com/

How to Apply

Please submit your resume online by clicking “Apply.” If you need accommodation during the selection process, or for more information, please contact Susan Brimble confidentially at [email protected].

We believe in employment equity, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds. We encourage applications from the following under-represented groups to self-identify in their resume or cover letter: Indigenous persons, racially visible persons, persons with a disability, women, and persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Facet is a recruitment firm with an unshakeable belief that change is a good thing. People are not only our purpose, they are also our passion. Facet was created to recruit talented, established professionals who aspire to lead organizations. We are inspired by these individuals and believe they are at the core of building purpose-driven, dynamic, and forward-thinking workplaces.