Lead Estimator

Nexans USA Inc; Oslo; Hybrid; NOK 900,000 - 1,350,000; Full time

Job summary

Nexans is seeking a Lead Estimator – PWR Transmission based in Oslo (or Halden), Norway, to lead cost estimation for turnkey projects and support tender submissions with robust financial analyses. You will drive P&L, price schedules, KPIs and cash flow projections, collaborating across project, tender and finance teams.

You will work with procurement and finance to manage risks from inflation, currency fluctuations, and subcontracting, ensuring compliant tenders and accurate cost establishment.

Qualifications

• Experienced in estimating complex turnkey projects with large contract values (€50M–€1B+).
• Strong understanding of commercial and financial risks, cost implications of bonds, insurance, taxes, import duties, and scope of work.
• Proficient in MS Excel, ERP, and cost estimation tools.
• Analytical, self-driven, and collaborative team player.
• Fluent in English; Norwegian is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the cost estimation process for tenders, including preparation of P&L, price schedules, KPIs, and cash flow projections.
• Provide guidelines and templates for cost input across disciplines and ensure traceable, well-defined cost assumptions and contingencies.
• Analyze, benchmark, and challenge cost inputs collaboratively with project, tender, and finance teams.
• Support Tender and Sales Managers during tender submission, clarifications, and negotiations with optimized, competitive cost estimates.
• Perform cost simulations to evaluate execution alternatives, contract implications, and commercial risks.
• Collaborate with Procurement and Finance teams to manage risks from inflation, raw material volatility, currency fluctuations, and subcontracting.
• Ensure all financial assumptions, pricing structures, and adjustment mechanisms are aligned with internal policies and customer requirements.
• Contribute to lessons learned initiatives to improve tendering processes, costing accuracy, and commercial strategy.
• Monitor tenders to ensure compliance with approved mandates and support budgetary estimates with short turnaround times.
• Provide financial inputs during project handover to ensure accurate project cost establishment and risk mitigation.

Skills

MS Excel

ERP

Cost estimation tools

Analytical

Collaborative

Self-driven

English

Tools

MS Excel

ERP

Cost estimation tools

Job description

Joining Nexans means being part of a technology-driven and collaborative organization. We offer a professional working environment where quality, safety, and continuous improvement are at the core of everything we do.

WELCOMING YOU TO THE TEAM

As a Lead Estimator – PWR Transmission, based in Oslo (or Halden), Norway, you will report to the Head of Lead Estimationin PWR-T. You will play a critical role in leading cost estimation for turnkey projects, supporting tender submissions, internal validation processes, and ensuring robust financial and commercial analyses.

HOW YOU MAKE AN IMPACT

In this role, you will:

• Lead the cost estimation process for tenders, including preparation of P&L, price schedules, KPIs, and cash flow projections.
• Provide guidelines and templates for cost input across disciplines and ensure traceable, well-defined cost assumptions and contingencies.
• Analyze, benchmark, and challenge cost inputs collaboratively with project, tender, and finance teams.
• Support Tender and Sales Managers during tender submission, clarifications, and negotiations with optimized, competitive cost estimates.
• Perform cost simulations to evaluate execution alternatives, contract implications, and commercial risks.
• Collaborate with Procurement and Finance teams to manage risks from inflation, raw material volatility, currency fluctuations, and subcontracting.
• Ensure all financial assumptions, pricing structures, and adjustment mechanisms are aligned with internal policies and customer requirements.
• Contribute to lessons learned initiatives to improve tendering processes, costing accuracy, and commercial strategy.
• Monitor tenders to ensure compliance with approved mandates and support budgetary estimates with short turnaround times.
• Provide financial inputs during project handover to ensure accurate project cost establishment and risk mitigation.

LEADERSHIP & TEAM DEVELOPMENT

• Facilitate collaboration between tendering, finance, and project teams.
• Promote knowledge sharing, continuous improvement, and best practices in cost estimation.
• Act as a role model for Nexans' values, professional standards, and QHSE principles.

YOUR STARTING POINT

• Experienced in estimating complex turnkey projects with large contract values (€50M–€1B+).
• Strong understanding of commercial and financial risks, cost implications of bonds, insurance, taxes, import duties, and scope of work.
• Proficient in MS Excel, ERP, and cost estimation tools.
• Analytical, self-driven, and collaborative team player.
• Fluent in English; Norwegian is a plus.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, take initiative, and adapt to change.

OUR GROWTH CULTURE

At Nexans, we are pioneers of the energy transition, dedicated to delivering the highest standards of performance, and united by our ambition to build a more sustainable future. Our growth culture is built on trust, collaboration, and empowerment. We value autonomy at the local level while encouraging knowledge sharing across global engineering teams.

What drives us

At Nexans, purpose, excellence and people drive us. We electrify the future responsibly, with strong commitments to sustainability, innovation and inclusion. Empowering every employee to grow, contribute and create lasting impact worldwide. Join us in shaping a better tomorrow.