Job Title: Project/Program Manager IV - Construction Estimator

Job Location: Columbus, OH; Herndon, VA; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Portland, OR

Job Duration: 12 Months (Contract to hire)

Pay Rate: $60.00/hr to $62.00/hr

Job Description:

Overview:

• A leading organization is seeking a motivated and experienced Construction Estimator to join its global Pre-construction team.
• This role involves analyzing construction data, maintaining cost databases, reverse-calculating unit prices, benchmarking for future projects, and creating user-friendly benchmarking templates as part of preconstruction support.

Key Role Insights:

• Project Scale: Focuses on large-scale projects valued between $300–$400 million.
• Estimator Scope: Specializes in ground-up projects and conceptual estimating—not limited to project or program management. Commercial or infrastructure construction experience is preferred over residential.
• Team Context: The Preconstruction team is a large group of 100–150 members, with a dedicated Estimating Analytics subgroup focused on budgeting and cost estimation.

Role Responsibilities:

• Collect and organize construction cost data to support future project benchmarking.
• Validate and standardize historical cost data for database integration.
• Develop unit prices through quick take-offs and historical costs.
• Research and analyze construction cost trends and macroeconomic factors to forecast future costs.
• Collaborate with Preconstruction Managers to improve templates and databases. Allocate time as follows:
• 30%: Cost data collection for estimates and benchmarking.
• 30%: Template creation and project estimations.
• 30%: Training and program management to support preconstruction managers.

Challenges in Candidate Selection:

• Some candidates lack conceptual estimating experience or advanced Excel skills.
• Preference for professionals with a general contractor (GC) background who have moved beyond hard bidding to conceptual estimation.
• Seeking expertise in large-scale ground-up projects rather than small residential projects.

Must-Have Qualifications:

• Experience: 5–10 years in a general contractor role, including both conceptual and hard-bid estimates.

Skills:

• Proficient in analyzing data, reverse-calculating unit rates, and benchmarking for future projects.
• Advanced Excel capabilities (e.g., pivot tables, vLookups, macros, data conditioning, linking).

Project Type:

• Hands-on experience with ground-up construction projects, including foundation, structural, and electrical components.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Construction Engineering, or related fields.

Travel:

• Willingness to travel once a month for 2–3 day's for site visits or training.

Additional Skills:

• Self-motivated, excellent interpersonal abilities, and adaptability to new systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with data center construction is a plus but not mandatory.

Location Preferences: In-office work required three day's a week at one of the following locations:

• Priority: Chicago, IL.
• Other Preferences: Herndon, VA; Atlanta, GA; Columbus, OH.
• Lowest Priority: Portland, OR (East Coast proximity preferred).

Travel Requirements:

• Approximately 15% travel, including occasional international trips for training or site visits. All travel reimbursed.

Interview Process:

• Three rounds of interviews:
• Initial: 30-minute session with the hiring manager.
• Final Rounds: Interviews with team peers covering:
• Behavioral questions.
• Experience with conceptual estimates and large-scale projects.
• Excel skills and trade-level unit price utilization.

Key Competencies:

• Strong bias for action.
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail.
• Ability to deliver results and exceed expectations.