Cost Estimator (Construction and Planning Specialist)

Critical Playground LLC; Bloomington, Northern (IN, KY); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical insurance

Dental insurance

Tuition subsidy

Job summary

Indiana University is seeking a Cost Estimator to develop, analyze, and maintain construction cost estimates for capital planning, renovation, and new construction projects. The role provides independent cost analyses during planning and pre-construction to support budget development and decision-making.

Reports to senior planning leadership, collaborates with Capital Projects, Facilities Operations, design consultants, campus stakeholders, and project managers to ensure accurate cost data,

Qualifications

• Combinations of related education and experience may be considered.
• Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience.
• Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

Responsibilities

• Manages, supervises, inspects, and coordinates new construction and remodeling projects on assigned campuses.
• Monitors construction timeline to ensure contractors maintain schedule and quality, reviews billing.
• Coordinates interruption of services between administration, Physical Plant, and contractor.
• Reviews engineering drawings and specifications; serves as project coordinator with architects, engineers, contractors, and administrators.
• Reviews and approves shop and as‑built drawings for archives and use.
• Provides feedback on cost analyses and alternatives after bids.

Skills

Proficient communication skills

Professional demeanor

Time management

Quality focus

Flexibility

Initiative

Accuracy under pressure

Project management

Problem solving

Reading blueprints

Written communication

Office software proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in construction management or a related field

Job description

Department

SPACE MANAGEMENT (BL-SPAC-IUBLA)

Department Information

Capital Planning and Facilities (CPF) works to ensure that Indiana University (IU) campuses are beautiful, functional, and sustainable while supporting excellence in teaching, learning, research, and community engagement across the entire university. A unit within Capital Projects, Construction Management provides project management services for IU capital projects. Construction Management staff coordinate the efforts of everyone involved on IU Capital projects - external contractors, IU Capital Projects staff, and our university partners - ensuring projects are completed on schedule, on budget, and in accordance with university guidelines and safety standards.

The Office of Space Planning provides strategic and thoughtful planning for how space owned and leased by Indiana University is used. Applying the most efficient management, utilization, and space programming processes allows Space Planning to achieve the best use, functionality, and organization of space to meet university goals and the objectives of both current and proposed facilities.

Job Summary

The Cost Estimator is responsible for developing, analyzing, and maintaining construction cost estimates to support the university's capital planning, renovation, and new construction initiatives. This position provides independent cost analysis during the planning and pre-construction phases of projects to support informed decision-making regarding scope, feasibility, and budget development. The Cost Estimator serves as a technical resource to university leadership and project teams by providing objective cost information throughout project development and assisting in the review of design consultant and contractor estimates.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Reports to the Executive Director of the Office of Planning (or designated senior planning leadership) and works closely with Capital Projects, Facilities Operations, design consultants, campus stakeholders, architects, engineers, and project managers to evaluate project scope and prepare conceptual and detailed cost estimates.
• Develops and implements standardized cost estimating procedures, methodologies, assumptions, documentation standards, and best practices across the Office of Planning, Capital Projects, and Facilities.
• Assists in project conceptual, schematic design, design development, and detailed construction cost estimates appropriate to the level of project definition.
• Provides independent cost analyses, estimates, and recommendations throughout project planning, design, bidding, and construction to identify budget risks, evaluate alternatives, and support informed decision‑making.
• Provides market analysis and benchmarking related to labor, materials, escalation, and regional construction trends to improve forecasting accuracy.
• Maintains historical cost data, benchmarking information, escalation assumptions, and current market information to support consistent and reliable project estimates.
• Supports strategic capital planning and project feasibility analysis by providing leadership with dependable cost data, cost modeling, benchmarking, escalation forecasting, and evaluation of project alternatives.
• Performs value analysis and evaluates alternative materials, systems, phasing approaches, and scope options to assist project teams in maintaining established budgets and aligning projects with institutional priorities and financial parameters.
• Reviews design consultant estimates, contractor bids, and other cost proposals for completeness, reasonableness, scope alignment, and consistency with established project budgets.
• Provides feedback and recommendations to administrators, project managers, and other appropriate parties regarding project cost analyses, bid results, budget risks, and cost alternatives.
• Evaluates the cost implications of proposed change orders, unforeseen conditions, code requirements, and design refinements and provides independent cost recommendations to project managers and university leadership.

General Responsibilities

• Manages, supervises, inspects, and coordinates new construction and remodeling projects on assigned campuses.
• Monitors construction timeline to ensure contractors maintain accurate schedule and perform to university standards; reviews and approves contractors' billing performance.
• Coordinates necessary interruption of services between administration, Physical Plant, and contractor.
• Reviews engineering drawings and specifications and serves as project coordinator with architects, engineers, contractors, and administrators.
• Reviews and approves shop and as‑built drawings for university archives and Physical Plant use.
• Provides feedback and recommendations to administrators and concerned parties on project cost analyses and alternatives after project bids have been submitted.
• Advises interior designers of special circumstances and facilities requirements.
• Advises and assists architects and engineers with contract change orders as required by new functions, unforeseeable conditions, code requirements, or design refinements.
• Maintains documentation of all assigned projects with IU‑issued software, including timelines, schedules, substantial completion, and other elements of construction.

Qualifications

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor's degree in construction management or a related field

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 5 years of construction management experience and/or large‑format planning, experience managing multi‑disciplined construction projects with scopes of work including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Required

• Valid driver's license with the ability to be insured by Indiana University

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
• Highly thorough and dependable
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
• Possesses a high degree of initiative
• Ability to influence internal and/or external constituents
• Basic knowledge of Indiana Building Codes
• Ability to read and interpret large‑format schematics, blueprints and drawings
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with a broad range of customers and management levels
• Demonstrates working knowledge and practical application and experience in word processing, spreadsheet, planning and database software use as well as e‑mail utility
• Demonstrates problem solving skills
• Demonstrates experience and advanced skills in project management/project communication

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires both sedentary work and the ability to move about, sometimes quickly, for long periods of time. It requires moving heavy objects, providing support for heavy objects, and performing strenuous labor under adverse field conditions. The ability to use tools, operate machinery, and to complete construction projects with precision and accuracy is required. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential tasks with or without an accommodation.

Travel to IU Indianapolis may be required.

Work Location

Bloomington, Indiana

Advertised Salary

$100,000.00 - $110,000.00 annually

Benefits Overview

For full‑time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long‑term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU‑sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Job Classification

Career Level: Advanced

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Engineering, Trades & Facility

Job Family: Construction & Planning

Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

Campus Safety and Security

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at [e-mail] or by visiting IUPD.

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