Design Assistant Jobs in Victoria, BC (NOW HIRING)

Company Overview
Durwest has been a trusted leader in Construction and Project Management for over 40 years, with a strong presence on Vancouver Island and a reputation for successfully delivering complex projects with precision, collaboration, and care.

We are in an exciting period of growth and transformation. We have new leadership, a revitalized brand, and an elevated commitment to operational excellence and the Durwest Building Experience.
We are actively seeking professionals who take ownership, embrace growth, and build lasting relationships; individuals who are ready to help us shape the next chapter of Durwest.

Role Overview

Reports to: Preconstruction Manager
Location: Victoria, BC

Durwest is hiring a Lead Estimator to own the full-cycle tender process, from take-offs through pricing to bid submission, while helping build a standardized, repeatable estimating function for Durwest. This role is central to maintaining estimating consistency, cost data, and documentation, and supports the Preconstruction Manager on risk review, RFP responses, and business development pursuits as projects require.

In this role, you will work closely with trade partners, suppliers, consultants, clients, and the broader project team, acting as a key coordination point that keeps preconstruction moving efficiently from initial pricing through to contract award. Your work will help build the foundation for project success while accelerating your own growth as a construction professional through meaningful ownership of estimates, pricing strategies, and client-facing collaboration.

This is an exciting opportunity to step into a preconstruction leadership role anchored in estimating, where your initiative and attention to detail are both visible and valued from day one. If you are a motivated, organized construction professional who thrives in a dynamic, team-oriented environment, this position is the right next step.

Key Focus Areas
Preconstruction & Estimating Leadership
•    Own the full-cycle tender process end-to-end, including scope reviews, leveling, detailed quantity take-offs, pricing strategies, and bid submissions.
•    Lead and seek to continuously improve Durwest's estimating function, this includes setting the standard for consistent, accurate, and efficient estimates; developing and refining templates, databases, and processes tailored to our project types; contributing to bid/no-bid decisions; and acting as the go-to resource on pricing strategy.
•    Maintain current cost data, leveraging relationships with trades and suppliers to keep pricing competitive.
•    Perform detailed quantity take-offs and maintain current cost data, leveraging relationships with trades and suppliers for competitive pricing.
•    Collaborate with consultants and clients to clarify scope, identify risks, and propose value engineering opportunities.
•    Review tender documents, supplemental conditions, and contract terms to identify risk and cost exposure, flagging items to the Preconstruction Manager for resolution.
•    Prepare RFP responses, including design-assist RFPs, and support business development efforts by contributing to proposals and client-facing pursuit materials.

Project Management in Preconstruction
•    As operationally required, support the Preconstruction PM with stakeholder coordination, schedule and deliverable oversight, constructability reviews, and cost planning (Class D through Class A estimates) to ensure successful project delivery and handoff to construction.
•    Coordinate with Preconstruction Coordinators on tender submissions and preconstruction deliverables.
•    Lead the process of notice of awards and contract issuance in collaboration with the operations team.

Continuous Improvement & Relationships
•    Build and nurture strong relationships within the Preconstruction team, along with trade partners, consultants, and clients, ensuring early engagement and collaboration.
•    Identify opportunities to refine and improve estimating and preconstruction workflows, supporting Durwest’s culture of accountability and growth

Who You Are
You are a reliable, detail-driven construction professional – analytical, clear-communicating, and genuinely passionate about the numbers behind the work. You manage competing deadlines with ease, earn trust through your accuracy and follow-through, and are comfortable with digital tools across estimating, take-offs, and cost reporting. You're eager to grow, collaborative by nature, and motivated to be a core part of building great relationships and winning great projects.

Qualifications
•    3+ years of experience in Project Management, Estimation, Preconstruction, or as a Superintendent, preferably on a range of ICI and/or multi-family residential projects.
•    Proven experience preparing hard-bid estimates and managing the full tendering process.
•    Proficiency with estimating and take-off software (OST, Procore, Bluebeam or similar), with adaptability to new tools and methods.
•    Solid understanding of CCDC contracts, public procurement requirements, and bid submission protocols.
•    Excellent communication, collaboration, and time management skills, with the ability to thrive under deadlines.
•    Ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical drawings with attention to detail.
•    Strong knowledge of institutional building systems, assemblies, and the trade market.
•    A team player who takes ownership, builds strong relationships, and contributes to a fun, collaborative work environment.

Considered an asset: 
•    Degree or diploma in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related discipline.
•    Experience building or improving estimating templates, tools, and processes for team-wide use.

Why Join Durwest?
•    Trusted Reputation: Join a well-established, locally rooted team with 40+ years of experience delivering projects across Vancouver Island.
•    Relationship-Driven Culture: Be part of a team that values trust, collaboration, and long-term partnerships, not only with clients, consultants, and trade partners, but also within our own Durwest family.
•    Opportunities to Grow: Be part of an exciting phase of transformation and growth, with opportunities to take ownership, expand your skills, and shape your career.
•    Competitive Rewards: Receive a competitive salary, extended health benefits, RRSP matching, bonus opportunities, and other perks.
•    Lifestyle & Location: Enjoy work-life balance in beautiful Victoria, BC, supported by a stable pipeline of local projects.
•    High-Performing Team: Collaborate with professionals who value accuracy, professionalism, accountability, and fun in a supportive team environment.

We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified candidates; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

To help us identify the best fit, please ensure your resume highlights your most relevant qualifications and complete the three short pre-screening questions. Your time and attention here will strengthen your application and increase your chances of moving forward!

We understand that job applications take time, and we sincerely appreciate your effort and interest in building your career with Durwest.