Graduate Cost Estimation (UAE National)

Wood; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 96,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

Wood in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Graduate Cost Estimation to support budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and financial reporting across project phases. You will help ensure costs stay within baselines and assist with variance analysis and cost performance communication.

The role emphasizes strong numerical skills, Excel proficiency, and collaboration with project controls, planning, procurement, and construction teams to collect and consolidate cost data from multiple stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quantity Surveying, Finance, Cost Engineering, or related discipline.
• Proven experience on engineering, construction, energy, infrastructure, or industrial projects.
• Strong proficiency in cost control and reporting tools such as SAP, Oracle, Excel, and project cost management systems.
• Solid understanding of project cost management principles, including budgeting, forecasting, cost reporting, and variance analysis.
• Experience in EPC, PMC, or Owner’s Engineer environments is highly preferred.
• Professional certifications such as AACE (CCP), PMP, or related cost engineering credentials are an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Development and maintenance of project cost budgets and forecasts
• Cost tracking, expenditure monitoring, and variance analysis
• Preparation of cost reports, cash flow forecasts, and financial dashboards
• Support to change management, including evaluation of cost impacts
• Understanding of earned value management (EVM) principles
• Cost risk identification and mitigation
• Interface with finance teams for invoicing, accruals, and cost actuals
• Close coordination with project controls, planning, procurement, and construction teams
• Support to project managers in cost-related decision making
• Timely collection and consolidation of cost data from multiple stakeholders

Skills

Numerical & analytical skills

Financial data interpretation

Data validation & reconciliation

Advanced Excel & data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Quantity Surveying

Finance

Cost Engineering

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Excel

Project cost management systems

Job description

Job Description

The Graduate Cost Estimation supports the project team throughout all phases of project delivery by managing project budgeting, cost monitoring, forecasting, and financial reporting activities. The role plays a key part in ensuring projects are executed within approved cost baselines, while supporting effective cost control, variance analysis, and financial performance aligned with project scope and schedule.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Control & Financial Management

• Development and maintenance of project cost budgets and forecasts
• Cost tracking, expenditure monitoring, and variance analysis
• Preparation of cost reports, cash flow forecasts, and financial dashboards
• Support to change management, including evaluation of cost impacts
• Understanding of earned value management (EVM) principles
• Cost risk identification and mitigation

Analytical & Technical Skills

• Strong numerical and analytical skills with high attention to detail
• Ability to interpret financial data and identify cost trends
• Accurate data validation and reconciliation
• Advanced Excel and data analysis capability

Planning & Coordination

• Close coordination with project controls, planning, procurement, and construction teams
• Support to project managers in cost-related decision making
• Timely collection and consolidation of cost data from multiple stakeholders
• Interface with finance teams for invoicing, accruals, and cost actuals

Communication & Reporting

• Clear and concise reporting of cost performance to project and management teams
• Ability to explain cost variances and forecasts to non-financial stakeholders
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Professional Attributes

• High level of integrity, accountability, and ownership
• Ability to manage priorities and meet reporting deadlines
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and results-driven approach
• Adaptable to fast-paced, multi-project environments

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quantity Surveying, Finance, Cost Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience working on engineering, construction, energy, infrastructure, or industrial projects.
• Strong proficiency in cost control and reporting tools such as SAP, Oracle, Excel, and project cost management systems.
• Solid understanding of project cost management principles, including budgeting, forecasting, cost reporting, and variance analysis.
• Experience in EPC, PMC, or Owner’s Engineer environments is highly preferred.
• Professional certifications such as AACE (CCP), PMP, or related cost engineering credentials are an advantage.

About Us

Wood is a global leader in consulting, engineering and operations for the energy and materials sectors. With 33,000 people in around 50 countries, Wood supports clients across the full asset lifecycle, delivering safe, predictable outcomes while enabling resilient operations and a lower carbon future. Wood forms the Energy & Materials pillar of Sidara - a global partnership uniting leading multidisciplinary engineering, design, and project management companies. www.woodgroup.com

Diversity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to the following (which is a non-exhaustive list): race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.