Director, MEP Project Controls & Cost Estimation

Cushman & Wakefield; Creve Coeur (MO); On-site; USD 166,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Health savings accounts

Retirement savings plans

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Paid time off

Unpaid time off

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield is seeking a Director, Project Controls with expertise in MEP estimation and cost management for high‑scale capital programs. You will oversee all cost activities, report to senior stakeholders, and drive cost plans from early design through project closeout.

The role requires a Bachelor's in a related field and 15+ years in cost management on capital projects, with strong Excel skills and proven experience in electrical/mechanical estimating and matrixed environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or related field.
• 15+ years of related experience in cost management for capital projects.
• Electrical and mechanical estimating experience including interpreting drawings.
• Experience in a complex, matrixed organizational environment.
• Proficiency with Excel is required.

Responsibilities

• Establish the cost management program and deliverables for large capital programs.
• Lead MEP estimating during preconstruction through close‑out.
• Manage development of project budgets and cost benchmarking.
• Deliver executive level presentations and stakeholder communications.
• Research regional markets, trends, and cost drivers.
• Negotiate with contractors and coordinate with stakeholders across levels.
• Prepare quantity take‑offs and cost estimates for electrical/mechanical scopes.
• Utilize NECA resources to evaluate labor productivity.
• Integrate third‑party plans into a unified cost plan.
• Provide detailed cost risk analyses and mitigations to project teams.
• Support risk management and quantitative risk assessments.
• Lead earned value analysis for complex programs.
• Contribute to project control and execution planning.

Skills

Cost management

MEP estimation

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or related field

Tools

Excel

Job description

Cushman & Wakefield is seeking a Director, Project Controls with expertise in MEP estimation and cost management for high‑scale capital programs. You will oversee all cost activities, report to senior stakeholders, and drive cost plans from early design through project closeout.

The role requires a Bachelor's in a related field and 15+ years in cost management on capital projects, with strong Excel skills and proven experience in electrical/mechanical estimating and matrixed environments.