Director, Cost and Commercial Management - UK Project

NBC Universal; Bedford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A global media and entertainment company based in the UK is seeking a Project Estimator to generate budget estimates for diverse developments including theme parks and hotels. This role requires extensive on-site construction experience and the ability to lead estimating efforts across multiple projects. Responsibilities include overseeing budgeting processes, coordinating with estimating teams, and supporting procurement strategies. Successful candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in Construction Management and strong negotiation skills. Join a dynamic team at the forefront of entertainment development.

Qualifications

• Extensive on-site construction and estimating experience in retail and hotel projects.
• Knowledge of show and ride estimating and facility impacts.
• Ability to present cost estimates to upper management.

Responsibilities

• Generate initial project budget estimates for new developments.
• Oversee and coordinate the work of estimating staff and firms.
• Lead vendor settlement processes to ensure equitable outcomes.

Skills

Cost estimation

Project management

Negotiation

Leadership

Market research

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Master's degree in Construction Management or Business Administration

Job description

Company Description

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our global theme park destinations, consumer products, and experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, and Peacock, our premium ad‑supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through our powerhouse film and television studios, including Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and Focus Features, and the four global television studios under the Universal Studio Group banner, and operate industry‑leading theme parks and experiences around the world through Universal Destinations & Experiences, including Universal Orlando Resort, home to Universal Epic Universe, and Universal Studios Hollywood. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. Visit www.nbcuniversal.com for more information.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY Generate initial project budget estimates for a wide range of developments, including new retail venues, restaurants, attractions, resort hotels, and entirely new theme parks. Develop and update cost estimates and cost plans as projects progress through design phases, enabling ongoing comparison to approved budgets. Oversee and coordinate the work of in‑house estimating staff as well as contracted estimating firms, both U.S. and internationally based across multiple scopes of work. Supports commercial and procurement strategy, leading the evaluation of commercial proposals, negotiation support, and contract award recommendations to achieve best value and risk‑balanced outcomes. Lead the vendor settlement process, ensuring fair and equitable value for Universal while fostering strong, collaborative partnerships with vendors.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES (% of time)

• Provide strategic leadership and governance for project cost planning and estimating by reviewing and validating initial budget estimates for new projects, including estimates prepared by the in‑house estimators and external estimating consultants, ensuring alignment with scope, market conditions, and business objectives. 25%
• Oversee progressive estimating and cost control throughout the design lifecycle, reviewing continually evolving design documents and cost estimates at each stage of the design to ensure projects remain aligned with approved budgets. Collaborate with project teams located across multiple cities and international regions to proactively identify risks, variances, and mitigation strategies. 15%
• Serve as lead estimator and commercial authority for large, complex scopes of work, directing and coordinating in‑house and contracted estimating resources, as required by project scale and complexity. 15%
• Support procurement and commercial strategy by collaborating with project teams on bid packaging, scope definition, contractor prequalification, evaluation of commercial proposals, negotiation strategy, and contract award recommendations to achieve best value outcomes. 15%
• Lead and support contractor and vendor commercial negotiations, including change order review, validation and settlement on large scopes of work, ensuring equitable outcomes that protect Universal's financial interests while maintaining strong vendor relationships. 15%
• Lead value management and value engineering initiatives, partnering with project teams to identify cost‑saving opportunities, scope optimisation strategies, and alternative solutions that mitigate budget risk while preserving creative intent and operational quality. 10%
• Develop and maintain market intelligence and cost data by researching market conditions, cost trends, escalation factors, and local means and methods. Analyse Universal Creative historical cost data, normalise it by year and location, and maintain a centralised cost database. Develop benchmarking and comparative analyses for attractions, hotels, retail, and non‑attraction facilities. 5%
• Understand and actively participate in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UDX policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• Influences decisions of major nature requiring high degree of tact and diplomacy to obtain favorable results. Supervises work of estimators and/or multiple outside estimating firms, as scope of work requires.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organisation's policies and applicable laws.

SCOPE

• Individual will be responsible for developing detailed estimates to support the submittal and approval process for all major capital projects that are managed by Universal Creative. Projects will range across individual facilities, hotels, attractions, and international theme park development.
• In addition, this individual will be responsible for the development of a comprehensive database from past projects to assist in the improvement of the accuracy of our project budgeting on all projects.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management. Engineer in related business fields is required. Master's degree in Construction Management or Business Administration preferred.

EXPERIENCE

• Extensive on‑site construction and estimating experience on retail, food, hotel, theme parks and themed entertainment projects, knowledge of show and ride estimating and facility impacts required; or equivalent combination of education and experience. On‑site construction and estimating experience for owners and/or contractors for in the Resort/Entertainment field of commercial construction; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Individual must be capable of presenting cost estimates to upper management level positions. In addition, individual will be required to interface with our third‑party clients on international projects for large scale resort and theme park developments.

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in‑person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [e-mail].