Senior Cost Estimation & Cost Control Expert

MENA HR Solutions LLC (IBD Group); Muscat; On-site; OMR 28,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

MENA HR Solutions LLC (IBD Group) in Muscat seeks a Senior Cost Estimation & Cost Control Expert to lead CAPEX/OPEX estimates, baselines, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control for utility-scale renewable energy and infrastructure projects.

The role covers the full project lifecycle from early-stage estimates to handover, requiring strong technical estimating and commercial acumen.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or related field.
• 8+ years in cost estimation and cost control for large-scale energy or infrastructure projects.
• Experience with utility-scale solar, wind, or hybrid projects and BESS where applicable.
• Proficiency in cost models, forecasting, sensitivity analysis, and life-cycle costing.
• Strong analytical, numerical, and reporting abilities; fluent in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost estimation and budgeting for CAPEX and OPEX across lifecycle stages.
• Develop WBS/CBS, validate quantities, and benchmark unit rates.
• Evaluate bids, review invoices, and manage cost baselines and forecasts.
• Prepare cash flow, cost-to-complete and estimate-at-completion reports.
• Coordinate with engineering, procurement, and finance to align scope and costs.
• Maintain cost databases and dashboards; support lenders and investors.

Skills

Cost analysis

Estimating

Financial modelling

Budgeting & forecasting

Cost control

Attention to detail

Communication

English fluency

Education

Bachelor of Engineering / Construction Management

Quantity Surveying background

Finance background considered

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

SAP / Oracle ERP

Job description

Location: Muscat, Oman
Employment Type: Full-time
Department: Development
Reports To: Head of Development
Travel: Periodic site visits across Oman and the GCC

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Estimation & Cost Control Expert to manage capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operating expenditure (OPEX) estimates, cost baselines, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control for utility-scale renewable energy and infrastructure projects.

The successful candidate will oversee cost management throughout the project lifecycle, from early-stage development and pre-financial-close estimates through construction, commissioning, and handover. The role requires strong technical estimating expertise, commercial awareness, and the ability to provide accurate cost forecasts, identify financial risks, and ensure compliance with approved budgets and contractual requirements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Cost Estimation & Budgeting

• Prepare and review CAPEX estimates for renewable energy projects, including solar PV, wind, battery energy storage systems (BESS), hybrid systems, grid interconnection, EPC packages, equipment supply, land, development, insurance, and contingency.
• Develop cost baselines and budgets using feasibility studies, engineering inputs, supplier quotations, and market benchmarks.
• Prepare and maintain OPEX estimates covering operations and maintenance, asset management, insurance, land leases, grid charges, battery replacement, and decommissioning.
• Develop work breakdown structures (WBS) and cost breakdown structures (CBS), validate quantities and unit rates, and review bills of quantities (BOQs).
• Evaluate EPC, OEM, and supplier bids through scope comparison, bid normalization, whole-life cost analysis, and sensitivity assessments.
• Maintain cost databases, benchmarking records, documented estimating assumptions, and lessons learned.

2. Project Cost Control & Reporting

• Monitor project expenditure and commitments against approved budgets and cost baselines.
• Analyse cost variances, identify emerging risks, monitor contingency usage, and recommend corrective actions.
• Prepare monthly cost forecasts, cash flow projections, cost-to-complete estimates, and estimate-at-completion reports.
• Review contractor and supplier invoices against contractual terms, verified progress, and milestone achievements.
• Assess variations, change orders, claims, milestone payments, and final accounts under EPC and supply contracts.
• Coordinate site progress and quantity verification with construction teams and owner s engineers before payment recommendations.
• Prepare cost reports, dashboards, budget-to-actual reconciliations, and management updates.
• Support lender drawdowns, independent engineer reviews, investor reporting, and project cost due diligence.

3. Financial, Commercial & Project Coordination

• Coordinate with engineering, procurement, finance, legal, and project management teams to align cost estimates with project scope and contractual obligations.
• Maintain CAPEX and OPEX inputs to financial models and investment cases, ensuring consistency with approved budgets and current estimates.
• Establish contingency and risk allowance methodologies and incorporate identified risks into cost forecasts.
• Apply earned value management and integrate cost reporting with project schedules using Primavera P6 or MS Project.
• Maintain accurate cost records in ERP and cost management systems, ensuring monthly reconciliation with finance records.
• Develop advanced Excel models and reporting dashboards, including Power BI where applicable.
• Consider applicable tax, customs, local procurement, and in-country value requirements across Oman, the GCC, and other project jurisdictions.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor s degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline. A Finance degree may be considered with equivalent hands-on technical estimating experience.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in cost estimation and cost control, including at least 5 years on utility-scale power, renewable energy, or comparable infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing estimates or controlling costs for utility-scale solar PV, wind, or hybrid projects, including BESS where applicable.
• Experience covering the project lifecycle from pre-financial-close estimating through construction and actual out-turn cost assessment.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including cost models, forecasting, and sensitivity analysis.
• Working knowledge of Primavera P6 or MS Project and project cost-control methodologies.
• Strong understanding of CAPEX and OPEX structures, EPC and OEM contracts, cost baselining, forecasting, and commercial cost evaluation.
• Excellent analytical, numerical, reporting, and communication skills.
• Fluent written and spoken English.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Experience in Oman, the GCC, MENA, or other emerging markets.
• Familiarity with lender and development finance institution reporting requirements, including IFC requirements where applicable.
• Working knowledge of BESS and hybrid energy project costs, including battery systems, power conversion systems, energy management systems, augmentation, and replacement.
• Experience with earned value management and EPC contract administration under FIDIC Silver Book, Yellow Book, or equivalent forms.
• Professional certifications such as AACE CCP, CEP or EVP, PMP, PMI-SP, or RICS.
• Experience with SAP, Oracle, other ERP cost modules, and Power BI dashboards.
• Arabic language skills are an advantage.

Key Competencies

• Strong cost analysis, estimating, and financial modelling capabilities.
• Commercial awareness and attention to detail.
• Ability to identify cost risks and challenge assumptions independently.
• Effective stakeholder management and cross-functional coordination.
• Strong planning, prioritisation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining accurate records and compliance with internal controls.