Director of Estimating

J&J Worldwide Services; United States; Remote; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote role

Occasional travel

Job summary

CBRE Government Services is seeking a Director of Estimating to own end-to-end estimating for a diverse portfolio of DoD contracts. You will lead a team of estimators, ensure BOE quality, and maintain cost-model integrity for pricing handoffs.

The role emphasizes leadership, standards enforcement, and continuous improvement of estimating tools and processes, with potential travel and a remote-friendly setup.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or related field.
• Master’s Degree preferred.
• Experience in GovCon cost estimating with BOE development.
• 5+ years leadership in estimating.
• Active Secret Clearance or ability to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Estimating team and enforce BOE and cost model quality standards.
• Establish and enforce estimating standards across contract types.
• Own the quality of every cost estimate advancing to Pricing.
• Develop labor build-up methodology and SCA Wage Determination standards.
• Oversee subcontractor quote processes and price reasonableness determinations.
• Designate and develop construction estimating specialists within the team.
• Partner with Pricing to ensure handoffs at tollgates.
• Develop and improve estimating tools, templates, and data library.
• Conduct post-award cost model accuracy reviews.
• Support DCAA audit readiness with BOE documentation.
• Represent estimating in proposal kickoffs and leadership briefings.

Skills

BOE standards

DCAA audit readiness

SCA wage determinations

Estimating methods

Excel-based cost modeling

Deltek Costpoint

RS Means/PAXUS

Pivot tables

Written communication

GovCon experience

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or related field

Master’s Degree preferred

Advanced degree preferred

Certification or formal training in cost estimating

Tools

Deltek Costpoint

RS Means

PAXUS

Excel

Job description

The Director of Estimating reports to the Finance Director and owns the estimating function end to end: cost model inputs, BOE quality, SCA compliance, subcontractor quote evaluation, and the standards that govern how every number in a proposal is developed and documented. You will lead a team of Estimators supporting a diverse portfolio of FFP, CPFF, T&M, and construction task order contracts across DoD installations. This role requires a leader who sets high standards, enforces them consistently, and develops their team's capability over time — not someone who simply manages workflow.

Primary Job Functions

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the Estimating team: set performance expectations, conduct regular work product reviews, and hold each team member accountable to BOE and cost model quality standards.
• Establish and enforce estimating standards across all contract types: BOE format requirements, source citation rules, estimating method documentation, and cost model version control protocols.
• Own the quality of every cost estimate that advances to the Pricing team — estimates that leave this function must be complete, traceable, and audit-ready on day one.
• Develop labor build-up methodology and maintain the labor category architecture, including SCA Wage Determination application standards for all covered positions.
• Oversee subcontractor quote solicitation processes; ensure price reasonableness determinations are complete, documented, and defensible.
• Designate and develop construction estimating specialists within the team; maintain close working relationships with construction Operations as a technical input source while preserving Finance independence.
• Partner with the Director of Pricing to ensure seamless, documented handoff between estimating inputs and pricing outputs at each proposal tollgate.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of the team's estimating tools, templates, and data library.
• Conduct post-award cost model accuracy reviews: compare proposed vs. actual costs on awarded contracts and use findings to improve estimating methodology.
• Manage the estimating function's contribution to DCAA audit readiness; ensure BOE documentation always meets audit standards.
• Represent the estimating function in proposal kickoffs, tollgate reviews, and leadership briefings.

Education, Experience and Certification

Required/Preferred

Description

Required

Preferred

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree

Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or a related field.

Advanced degree in related field.

Required/Preferred

Years of Experience

Description

Required

Required

10 years

5+ years

Experience in cost estimating experience in a GovCon environment with direct ownership of BOE development and cost model quality.

Experience in a team leadership role with demonstrated ability to set and hold standards across a team

Required/Preferred

License/Certification

Description

Preferred

Preferred

Certification

N/A

Microsoft Certifications

Active Secret Clearance or ability to obtain.

Working Conditions

• Remote role with standard business hours; additional time may be required during peak periods.
• Occasional travel may be necessary for leadership meetings or audits.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep knowledge of FAR Part 15 cost estimating requirements, BOE documentation standards, and DCAA audit expectations.
• Hands-on expertise with SCA Wage Determinations and their application to labor cost development across multiple contract sites.
• Experience with construction cost estimating methodologies, including unit price books (RS Means, PAXUS, or equivalent) and Davis-Bacon Act compliance, strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated track record of improving estimating quality — not just managing output but measurably raising the standard of what the team produces.
• Proficiency in Excel-based cost modeling; experience with Deltek Costpoint or comparable GovCon ERP.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel including formula-based analysis, pivot tables, and structured data management.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail; ability to identify and flag inconsistencies in cost data.
• Strong written communication skills; ability to produce clear tables, summaries, and supporting narratives.
• Facilities management or operations and maintenance GovCon experience strongly preferred.

People Management

Yes

Disclaimer

CBRE Government Services thrilled at the opportunity for you to apply to one of our roles. The base salary range for this position is $130,000- $170,000. This position may also be eligible for a wide range of competitive benefits that can include but not limited to: medical, well-being, financial planning and short-term incentives benefits.

This description is not intended to be an “all inclusive” list of the accountabilities of the job described. Rather, it describes the general nature of the job. In addition, some aspects of this job may change over time, according to business needs, and these changes may not be recorded immediately. The requirements stated represent the minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities to qualify and satisfactorily perform this job.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.