Project Estimating Lead

Position Summary

The Project Estimating Lead is responsible for leading the development, validation, and management of capital cost estimates throughout the project lifecycle, from concept selection and business case development through detailed engineering and execution. The role provides estimating leadership across a portfolio of projects, ensuring estimates are accurate, benchmarked, risk-adjusted, and aligned with industry best practices.

The Project Estimating Lead serves as the organization's subject matter expert for project estimating methodologies, cost benchmarking, estimating tools, and estimate assurance processes. The position works closely with Project Managers, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Finance, and external contractors to support investment decisions and successful project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Estimating Leadership

Lead the development of conceptual, screening, Class VI through Class III cost estimates for capital projects.
Establish estimating strategies, assumptions, methodologies, and execution plans.
Manage and mentor estimating professionals and contract estimators.
Provide estimating governance and quality assurance across the project portfolio.
Promote standardization of estimating processes, tools, and reporting practices.

Cost Estimate Development

Develop a detailed estimate development plan
Prepare comprehensive estimates covering: Engineering, tagged Equipment, Bulk materials, Fabrication, Construction labor, Subcontracts, Indirect costs, Owner's costs, Escalation, and Contingency
Review engineering deliverables and project scope documents to develop estimated quantities and manhours.
Perform quantity take-offs and validate contractor submissions.
Develop estimate basis documents and estimate backup documentation.
Ensure all assumptions, exclusions, and risks are clearly defined.

Benchmarking & Cost Intelligence

Develop and maintain historical cost databases and benchmarking metrics.
Analyze market trends, labor rates, productivity factors, commodity pricing, and contractor pricing strategies.
Identify cost drivers, trends, and opportunities for optimization.
Develop cost benchmarking ratios and estimate performance metrics.
Leverage lessons learned from completed projects to improve future estimate accuracy.

Risk & Opportunity Management

Lead estimate risk assessments and contingency development.
Identify estimating uncertainties, execution risks, and market impacts.
Support probabilistic estimating, Monte Carlo analysis, and confidence level assessments where applicable.
Develop mitigation strategies and value improvement opportunities.
Support value engineering and constructability reviews.

Contractor & Vendor Engagement

Coordinate bid requests and estimating information packages.
Review contractor and vendor quotations for completeness and competitiveness.
Evaluate subcontractor and supplier proposals.
Support procurement strategy development.
Participate in bid evaluations and commercial assessments.

Project Development Support

Support business case development, AFEs, and capital approval submissions.
Support project stage-gate reviews.
Provide estimate updates as the project scope matures.
Support project scheduling, forecasting, and capital planning activities.
Present estimate findings and recommendations to project sponsors and senior leadership.

Continuous Improvement

Develop and maintain estimating procedures, standards, and templates.
Improve estimating tools and digital solutions.
Implement industry best practices from AACE International and major capital project organizations.
Conduct estimate audits and estimate quality reviews.
Drive estimating capability development across the organization.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in:
Engineering
Construction Management
Quantity Surveying
Project Management
Business or related discipline
Professional Certifications (Preferred)
AACE Certified Cost Professional (CCP)
AACE Certified Estimating Professional (CEP)
PMP Certification
Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation considered an asset.

Experience

Required

10+ years of project estimating experience.
5+ years leading estimates for major capital projects.
Experience across project development and execution phases (i.e., Stage 1 to stage 4)
Experience in energy, midstream, oil & gas, utilities, and petrochemical.
Experience managing contractor-generated estimates and estimate validations.

Technical Skills

Advanced cost estimating methodologies.
Quantity takeoffs and productivity analysis.
Cost database development.
Benchmarking and market intelligence.
Risk-based estimating.
Contingency analysis.
Cash flow forecasting.
Schedule integration.
Value engineering.
Estimate assurance reviews.

Software

EcoSys
Microsoft Excel (Advanced)
Power BI

Leadership Competencies

Strategic thinking
Business acumen
Decision making
Influence without authority
Stakeholder management
Collaboration
Coaching and mentoring
Continuous improvement mindset
Strong communication and presentation skills
Ability to challenge assumptions using data-driven analysis.