At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead preconstruction efforts, manage budgets, and source new business opportunities.
- Company: Citizen Design Build Inc. focuses on transformative construction within Indigenous communities.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly wage, supportive team culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team committed to respect and diversity in the workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in communities while working on innovative construction projects.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in estimating or quantity surveying; strong people skills and organization.
The predicted salary is between 60 - 60 $ per hour.
The Preconstruction Lead owns the front end of Citizen's work — sourcing and pricing opportunities, building and tracking project budgets, and carrying the estimate through handover and change management. It's a versatile role on the production team, working closely with the Project Coordinator and reporting to the Production Manager.
About Us
Citizen Design Build Inc. is a company focused on working within Indigenous communities, using construction as a mechanism for transformational change. We take a collaborative approach for every project, integrating the client's needs while ensuring we can provide a sustainable, energy-efficient design for each build. This is accomplished by working closely with our skilled team of apprentices, carpenters, site managers, project managers, and designers, while incorporating our Core Values — Care, Culture, Quality, and Cause — into every part of our process.
Key Responsibilities
- BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
- Source and qualify new business opportunities — tenders, RFPs, bonded, and commercial work — and manage prequalifications, proposal submissions, and the opportunity pipeline.
- Support the owners on relationship-based business development, particularly with First Nations partners, with pricing, proposals, and meetings as needed; the owners continue to lead these relationships.
- ESTIMATING & BUDGET MANAGEMENT
- Lead estimating end to end — quantity takeoffs, subtrade and supplier pricing, and labour and general-conditions build-ups — for relationship-based work and competitive, bonded, and commercial tenders.
- Maintain Citizen's cost database and estimating templates, adapting conventional estimating to Citizen's cost model so bids stay both competitive and accurate.
- Prepare bid proposals, tender submissions, and pricing narratives, and manage the bid calendar, addenda, and closing requirements.
- Own the project budget from award through close-out — keeping estimated-versus-actual tracking current and feeding actual costs back into the estimating database.
- COORDINATION
- Lead the handover from estimate to procurement, working with the Project Coordinator to review subtrade and vendor quotes and align the awarded scope with the estimate.
- Manage change orders through construction — identifying scope beyond the estimate, pricing and communicating the cost impact, and supporting the Project Coordinator in coordinating the resulting work.
- Take part in internal tactical meetings and, as a versatile member of the production team, support the Project Coordinator on scope management and production needs as they arise.
- Ensure that teamwork and our team culture remain paramount in all work decisions — in order for Citizen to continue to be an amazing place to work, we all have to lean in together and give it all we've got.
Skills and Qualifications
- 5+ years of professional estimating or quantity surveying experience, including some at a commercial level; residential experience is welcome.
- A Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors designation (PQS or CEC), or progress toward one, is a strong asset.
- A track record of producing complete, accurate estimates and standing behind them, comfortable adapting conventional estimating to a non-standard cost model.
- Strong people skills — confident meeting clients, presenting a proposal, and building trust with subtrades and partners; some sales or proposal experience, with clear, jargon-free writing.
- Organized and systems-minded, able to keep budgets and tracking current across several projects; strong in Excel, with an interest in AI and other tools, and working knowledge of construction contracts, bonding, and tender processes.
- Valid BC driver's licence, with occasional travel to project sites and partner communities; positive attitude, hardworking, reliable, motivated to learn.
Schedule and Location
- SCHEDULE Full-time, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am–4:00 pm
- LOCATION Citizen Office, Victoria, BC (in-office, with occasional travel)
- COMPENSATION $48–$60 per hour, based on experience and qualifications.
OUR COMMITMENT
Citizen jobsites have a zero-tolerance policy for unprofessional, discriminatory, aggressive, or demeaning behaviors. You will be expected to act respectfully and cooperatively towards a diverse range of people, and can expect the same courtesy from others in return.
Preconstruction Lead in Victoria employer: Citizen Design Build Inc.
Citizen Design Build Inc. is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant city of Victoria, BC, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Employees benefit from comprehensive growth opportunities, competitive compensation, and a supportive environment that values leadership and initiative in project management. Join us to be part of a team that not only drives successful commercial projects but also prioritizes your professional development and well-being.
