Senior Manager, Cost Estimating

Job Title Senior Manager, Cost Estimating

Job Description Summary

The Senior Manager, Cost Estimating is responsible for leading cost estimating efforts in support of large-scale capital programs and construction projects. This individual will oversee the development of conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction estimates while partnering closely with project management, project controls, design teams, construction partners, and clients to ensure accurate cost planning and forecasting throughout the project lifecycle.

The Senior Manager will provide technical expertise in estimating methodologies, cost benchmarking, market analysis, and cost risk assessment across complex projects. This role will also contribute to the enhancement of estimating processes, tools, and best practices while supporting the development and mentorship of estimating professionals.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader with strong analytical skills and experience supporting large capital projects across industries such as advanced manufacturing, life sciences, healthcare, data centers, industrial facilities, and commercial developments.

Job Description

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and review of conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction-level cost estimates for complex capital projects.
• Collaborate with project teams to develop cost plans, project budgets, and financial forecasts throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support the implementation and continuous improvement of estimating standards, methodologies, tools, and best practices.
• Analyze market conditions, labor availability, material pricing, escalation trends, and regional cost drivers to inform estimate development.
• Develop and maintain cost benchmarking data and historical cost information to improve estimate accuracy.
• Partner with project controls teams to align estimating activities with budgeting, forecasting, and reporting processes.
• Participate in value engineering workshops and cost optimization initiatives with project stakeholders.
• Review contractor bids, change orders, third-party estimates, and cost proposals for completeness and accuracy.
• Support project governance reviews and client presentations by providing cost analysis and estimating insights.
• Identify project cost risks and opportunities and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Ensure quality and consistency of estimating deliverables across projects and programs.
• Collaborate with engineering, procurement, construction, and project management teams to support successful project execution.
• Contribute estimating expertise to business development pursuits, proposals, and project opportunities.
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior estimating professionals.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives through process enhancements, technology adoption, and data-driven decision making.
• Stay informed on industry trends, pricing changes, procurement strategies, and cost estimating best practices.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of construction cost estimating methodologies across multiple project phases.
• Understanding of key construction cost drivers, including labor, materials, equipment, logistics, indirect costs, and escalation.
• Experience supporting capital project cost management and project controls functions.
• Ability to develop detailed estimates, cost plans, benchmarking analyses, and financial models.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Experience presenting cost analyses and recommendations to project teams, clients, and leadership.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Experience supporting value engineering and cost optimization initiatives.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence project decisions through data-driven insights.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work effectively in fast-paced environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and cost estimating software tools.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including mentoring and developing junior staff.

Preferred Experience

• Experience estimating large-scale capital construction projects within advanced manufacturing, life sciences, healthcare, data centers, industrial facilities, infrastructure, or commercial sectors.
• Experience utilizing parametric estimating techniques and benchmarking methodologies.
• Familiarity with industry cost databases and estimating software platforms.
• Knowledge of construction delivery methods including Design-Build, CMAR, and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD).
• Experience supporting program-level budgeting and capital planning initiatives.
• Exposure to project controls, scheduling integration, and capital program management practices.

Minimum Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Architecture, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in construction cost estimating, cost management, project controls, or capital project advisory services.
• Experience preparing and managing estimates for medium- to large-scale capital construction projects.
• Experience leading estimating efforts and coordinating cross-functional project teams.
• Professional certifications such as AACE (CCP), RICS, CEP, or PMP are preferred

Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications.
The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role.
The compensation for the position is: $ 157,250.00 - $185,000.00Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at View phone number on us.fitly.work or email View email address on us.fitly.work . Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”