Jen Hancock | Vice President Collaborative Construction | Chandos Construction
Jen Hancock, the Vice President of Collaborative Construction at Chandos Construction, has made significant strides in the construction industry over the past 17 years. Her journey into construction is unique, as it wasn’t a field she initially considered while growing up or even during her early career. Before finding her place in construction, Jen earned her degree at the University of Alberta as a teacher. She taught junior high school at Edmonton Catholic Schools and spent a year teaching in South Korea. Although she found teaching rewarding, she yearned for something different in the long term. This desire led her to explore new career opportunities, ultimately guiding her to an industrial engineering firm, which set the stage for her next chapter. At EliteX, we are proud to have Jen Hancock as part of the edition: Visionary Leaders in Construction, 2024.
It was at this engineering firm where Jen’s path intersected with construction. She soon came across an opportunity at Chandos Construction, though she had no idea what the role entailed. Starting in a junior position, she quickly found herself immersed in the world of sustainability, business development, lean efficiency, and collaborative contracting. Her background in teaching and passion for learning and continuous improvement allowed her to thrive in the evolving environment at Chandos. Over time, what started as a happy accident blossomed into a meaningful and fulfilling career.
“Success in construction depends on emotional intelligence, as much of the work involves connecting, coordinating, and collaborating with people.”
Jen’s first job in the construction industry was as a project assistant at Chandos. At that time, she had little to no knowledge of construction but was eager to learn. In her role, she gained valuable insights into construction office processes, project management software, and the importance of site leaders and craft experts. One of her first projects involved a renovation aiming for LEED certification, and she found herself fascinated by the rating system. This sparked a deep interest in sustainability, and within just a year and a half, Jen had studied enough to pass the LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) exam. That early job helped her build a foundation of construction knowledge and sparked a love for the work. It was also a constant challenge, providing her with new things to learn every day.
Since Jen began her career, the construction industry has undergone significant changes, some of which have been more visible than others. The conversation around climate and sustainability has evolved dramatically. When she first entered the industry, discussions on sustainability were more basic, but today they have grown deeper and more integrated into the planning and execution of projects. Now, more construction projects aim for net-zero energy or higher energy efficiency targets. Furthermore, collaborative contracting has become more prevalent, particularly with the rise of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) contracts. When Jen first encountered IPD in 2014, the number of such projects could be counted on one hand. Today, there are nearly 100 IPD projects in Canada, worth approximately $5 billion. The widespread adoption of IPD has led to a greater focus on early contractor involvement and has sparked conversations about incorporating collaborative approaches into other contract models.
One project that stands out as a proud moment for Jen is the Mosaic Centre in Edmonton, a 30,000-square-foot office building. This was the first IPD contract executed in Alberta, and the project aimed for ambitious sustainability goals, including LEED Platinum certification, the Living Building Challenge Petal Challenge, and net-zero energy, which is especially challenging in a northern climate. The building itself incorporated innovative elements like mass timber, solar panels, a living wall, and a geo-exchange system—features that were unique to Edmonton at the time. The project also marked a milestone for Chandos, as it was the first to deploy Lean techniques with a more structured approach, using the Last Planner System and just-in-time delivery. For Jen, this project exemplified how collaborative, sustainable practices could lead to better results for everyone involved. It also sparked a broader use of IPD in Canada and helped her realize the potential for building better projects by working more closely with all stakeholders.
However, Jen’s journey in construction has not been without its challenges. One of the biggest obstacles she faced was learning to embrace her differences. As someone without a technical background like many of her peers, she initially felt the need to prove herself in other ways. Additionally, her previous career in teaching made her acutely aware of the gender disparity in the construction industry. It was the first time in her life that she found herself being one of the few women in a room full of men. This experience pushed Jen to work harder and learn as much as possible about all aspects of construction, including project details, sustainability, and contracts. While she may not have had the same technical skill set as many in the industry, she recognized that her unique perspective and ability to think outside the box were valuable assets. She has since embraced her differences and actively encourages diverse perspectives within teams and projects.
“Diversity strengthens teams and projects, as different perspectives lead to better decision-making.”
Looking ahead, Jen believes the construction industry must work to attract more leaders, especially from diverse backgrounds. One of the challenges is that many people are not fully aware of the wide range of career paths within construction. Most people are familiar with the trades like carpentry or plumbing, but they might not know about the roles of project managers, estimators, or virtual design and construction experts. Additionally, the construction industry is becoming increasingly intertwined with the fight against climate change, as buildings are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. As energy efficiency and sustainable practices become more of a focus, those who work in construction are playing an important role in building better, healthier, and more efficient buildings.
For those interested in pursuing a career in construction, Jen emphasizes the importance of a love for learning, grit, and the ability to think critically. Success in construction, as in many fields, also depends on emotional intelligence (EQ), as much of the work involves connecting, coordinating, and collaborating with people. Those who excel in these areas are often the most successful in the industry. Jen also has valuable advice for young leaders considering a career in construction. She encourages them to spend time on-site early in their careers, as it’s where they’ll learn the most. Construction is a challenging field, but it offers plenty of opportunities for growth and personal satisfaction. She believes that young leaders will find a wealth of opportunities in the industry, provided they have the determination to pursue them.
In addition to her work at Chandos, Jen has been involved in several initiatives that support leadership in construction. She helped establish the Integrated Project Delivery Alliance (IPDA), an organization dedicated to supporting collaborative project delivery and lean project execution. Jen served on the board of the IPDA for six years, and she has seen firsthand how it has helped foster collaboration within the industry. She has also been involved with the Edmonton Construction Association (ECA), which has played a crucial role in developing leaders within the local construction community. Jen is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the construction industry. Having personally experienced what it feels like to be one of the few women in a room, she understands the importance of creating diverse, safe, and inclusive spaces. She believes that diversity strengthens teams and projects, as different perspectives lead to better decision-making and more creative solutions. Her experiences working on IPD projects have shown her the value of bringing together a diverse group of experts to collaborate on achieving the best outcomes. Jen is passionate about creating environments where everyone, regardless of their background, can contribute their ideas and insights.
Looking to the future, Jen sees construction leadership facing more complexity due to the retirement of the baby boomer generation, combined with fewer younger people entering the industry. This demographic shift poses challenges in terms of experience and skills. Leaders will need to find ways to quickly train and retain younger staff, while also managing the risks inherent in the traditional contracting model, such as lump sum tendering. The industry will need to address these challenges head-on to ensure that the next generation of leaders is well-prepared for the evolving landscape.
Jen hopes to leave a lasting impact on the construction industry by inspiring more collaborative practices, particularly through the use of collaborative contracts like IPD. She also hopes to encourage more women to see themselves in leadership positions within the industry, as representation matters and diverse voices lead to better outcomes for everyone. Her leadership at the Edmonton Construction Association is an example of how she is working to inspire future generations of women to take on leadership roles and contribute to the success of the industry. As the first female chair of the Edmonton Construction Association, Jen is proud of her accomplishment but is also humbled by it. She understands the importance of representation and hopes that her role will inspire other women to step into leadership positions within the industry. She also recognizes the tremendous support she has received from her colleagues, both women and men, who have encouraged her along the way.
“What started as a happy accident blossomed into a meaningful and fulfilling career.”
Jen has been an active member of the Edmonton Construction Association for many years, and she sees the organization as a vital resource for the construction industry. The association provides networking opportunities, promotes best practices, and advocates for the industry at various levels of government. As ECA chair, Jen’s goal is to foster meaningful discussions and create an inclusive environment where all voices are heard and respected. She hopes to see more women take on director positions in the future and continue the work of making the association a valuable and impactful force in the industry.
In her role as VP of Collaborative Construction at Chandos, Jen is responsible for leading initiatives focused on sustainability, carbon reduction, and lean construction practices. She works with a team of experts to train, support, and guide the company’s field teams in executing these strategies. Jen’s passion for collaborative contracting, especially Integrated Project Delivery, drives her to continuously advocate for early contractor involvement and more collaborative work environments. She believes that these approaches make work more enjoyable and effective for everyone involved, and she is proud to be part of an industry that is slowly but surely embracing these principles. Jen’s passion for sustainability is also a key aspect of her work. She first became interested in sustainability while working on a LEED-certified project early in her career, and this led her to create a company-wide waste diversion policy at Chandos. She continues to be a passionate advocate for sustainable building practices and strives to create a culture of sustainability within the company. Through her work, she hopes to inspire others in the construction industry to adopt more sustainable practices and contribute to building a better future.
Jen Hancock’s leadership in construction has had a profound impact on both the industry and the people she works with. Through her dedication to sustainability, diversity, and collaborative practices, she continues to inspire those around her to think differently, collaborate more effectively, and aim for better outcomes. Her journey from teacher to construction leader shows the power of perseverance, a passion for learning, and the value of diverse perspectives in shaping the future of construction.