Senior Estimator

WHO WE ARE  

“Energizing the Future.” 

TransAlta owns, operates, and develops a diverse fleet of electrical generation assets in Canada, the United States, and Australia, providing municipalities, industries, and businesses with safe, low-cost, and reliable clean electricity. For over 111 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and proud community member where its employees work and live. We are committed to fostering a dynamic, productive, and safe work environment. Our employees contribute to a diverse, open, and transparent culture with clear accountabilities, strong leadership, and challenging opportunities for personal career growth. 

For more information about TransAlta, visit our website at, www.transalta.com. 

ABOUT THE ROLE 

We have an exciting new opportunity to join our Project Delivery & Construction team as a Senior Estimator. This position can be located in one of our offices within the USA or Canada. This is a pivotal position within our organization where you'll provide active leadership, support and guidance to our Project and Construction teams and ensure projects are delivered using best industry practices.  The Senior Estimator will report directly to the Executive Vice President, Projects, Delivery & Construction, and is integral in managing accurate, cost competitive and timely estimates for the Company’s renewable energy and T&D construction business and in providing guidance across a portfolio of large-scale renewable energy construction projects ($100M+).

The Senior Estimator will prepare cost estimates for renewable energy and utility-owned battery energy storage systems (wind) Solar, Gas, Hydro with a complete understanding of the interrelationship of the cost of labor, material, equipment, and productivity in the unit costs used at each level of an estimate.

Your expertise is integral across the project life cycle, as well as your collaborative work with Lead Developers, Project Managers, and Supply Chain partners to deliver predictable project outcomes and successful project execution.   

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Overview the content of all Request for Proposal (RFP) (ROI) Capital Relationship Customers documents to determine the scope of work and required pricing elements for inclusion within the estimate.

• Receives, prioritizes, and distributes quote requests to vendors and subcontractors; analyzes responses for accuracy, completeness, and efficacy per request and project schedule milestones.

• Uses standardized tools and processes to prepare accurate, competitive, and timely project cost and schedule estimates

• Completes take-offs to calculate estimate quantities and units of work for EPC Owner and Balance of Plant (BOP) self-perform construction scopes of work, DC, and AC electrical systems. And all related components.

• Quantifies resources and production rates for systems for utility power generation and distribution self-perform construction cost estimation.

• Determines impacts to estimates based on local labor requirements, current commodity pricing, and client’s project specifications.

• Identifies project risks and records in Risk Register during the preparation of estimates.

• Presents, supports, and leads-by-example with a safety and quality-oriented attitude.

• Creates estimate-related bid proposal documents to meet RFP submittal requirements, such as Statement of Value (SOV,) client-provided technical forms, and Assumptions Clarifications Exclusions (ACE) documents. 

• Gathers details and maintains current market data to accurately estimate construction, material, and soft costs associated with project construction.

• Familiarity with design-build construction methods, utilizing creative thought processes and experience to produce production-based cost estimates with detailed costs for resource budget estimates.

• Ability to complete quantity take-offs from construction plans.

• Ability to compile indicative budgets in the absence of engineered documents

• Experience with estimating software; experience with HCSS Heavy Bid is beneficial.

• Ability to evaluate site conditions from plans, geotechnical reports, and/or site visits to create cost estimates utilizing the best labor, equipment, and material resources for the most competitive and accurate proposal estimates.

• Ability to apply varying levels of detail for both indicative and hard bid proposals.

• Strong skills in client and subcontractor interface and negotiation.

• Continuous improvement of internal Project Execution and Project Management standards, processes and procedures to optimize project delivery.   

• Leadership and fostering development of a high-skill, high-performance team.   

• The position will appeal to an experienced, well-rounded Senior Estimator who thrives in dynamic and collaborative team environment and has interest in being part of an ambitious build-out of renewable energy assets.   

ACCOUNTABILITIES  

Leadership Expectations

• Act as a trusted advisor to the key stakeholders by building and maintaining relationships with business leaders to develop a clear understanding of business needs.
• Leads a team of contributing estimators for respective SOWs to prepare accurate, competitive, and timely estimates for Bid-Build and EPC (Engineer-Procure-Construct) construction Request for Proposals (RFPs)
• Provides leadership, coaching, and mentoring to estimators and associate estimators.
• Reviews all estimate entries for accuracy of whole-project scope activity costs.  Analyzes multi-discipline estimated expenses related to client RFP information, design, and costs to complete the estimate
• Assists in compiling historical cost data for projects.
• Coordinates and schedules Estimating Handoff Meeting. Leads the project estimating team in preparing documents and presentations at the meeting and is the point of contact for follow-up action requested by the project construction team.
• Commitment to a strong psychologically safe culture
• Promote cross-collaboration within other business units and break down silos
• Set priorities and enforce agreed deadlines
• Drive for results with a strong execution ability
• Apply consistent performance management, coaching, feedback, and corrective action
• Actively demonstrate TransAlta values and implement a culture of learning, purpose, and results

Project Support and Oversight

• Collaborates with project-assigned Preconstruction Manager for engineering support services and deliverables as the estimate basis.
• Collaborates with Preconstruction Manager Development and Proposal Scheduler for alignment of estimated resources and duration represented in project estimate to achieve client-defined milestones identified within the project schedule. 
• Collaborates with Proposal Coordinator and Preconstruction Manager to assemble proposals during bidding.
• Presents project scope, identified risks, and cost estimate for Operations and Executive reviews

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU  

• University Degree in Engineering construction management, or related area of study; OR high school with at least 5-10 years of equivalent industry experience or related specialty.
• 5 or more years of experience estimating self-perform utility-scale construction or equivalent experience with combination of self-perform utility-scale and industrial electrical system construction, required.
• 4 or more years of experience leading a team of estimators for specific project pursuit estimates, preferred.
• 4 or more years of field-based construction estimates, preferred.

Essential Experience

• Experience with EPC and BOP estimate structure to create proposals for large-scale and utility-grade renewable energy power plant construction projects.
• Ability to recognize and recommend alternative designs/scope definitions that support consistency, standardization, and cost competitiveness.
• Demonstrates thorough understanding of tasks and processes associated with constructing utility-grade renewable energy projects. Experience working with BESS DC and AC coupled systems and constructing the transmission line is highly desirable.
• Experience with Blue Beam/Adobe for purposes of quantity take-off.
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Project, OneNote, Teams), and SharePoint. Primavera.
• Ability to travel to sites to review site conditions during the proposal phase and evaluate resources and production during the construction phase.
• Advanced communication skills with the ability to clearly describe the advantages and disadvantages of various design options.
• Strong detail orientation and analytical thinking skills.
• Desire to learn and apply knowledge quickly.
• Ability to work independently and complete tasks on time with minimal supervision.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Familiarity with standard construction industry concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to drive innovation of new processes while supporting corporate standards for quality.
• Comfortable operating in a highly collaborative team environment working with third-party customers, developers, design engineers, construction estimators, pre-construction managers, construction managers, and executive managers regularly.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple assignments, and prioritize as required
• Functional competencies include attention to detail, collaboration, continuous improvement, prioritization, and accountability. 

Additional Requirements 

• Permanent location preference is in the Calgary, AB

• Ability to travel frequently within the USA, Canada  and Australia as needed.

We offer our employees comprehensive and flexible benefits, competitive compensation, annual incentives, and a rewards program. To learn more about we can energize your future, check out our new Employee Experience Booklet. 

Become part of our TransAlta team today We look forward to reviewing your application. All applications will be reviewed in a timely manner to the best of our abilities. We appreciate your patience and understanding during the recruitment process.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

It is our collective mission to ensure that every single employee feels a sense of inclusion and belonging and can show up to work as their true authentic self. TransAlta is committed to hiring a diverse workforce including women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and members of the LGBTQ2+ community. TransAlta believes that diversity enhances the quality of its performance, is an essential element to effective corporate governance, and cultivates a strong workplace culture.