Director, Project Controls, MEP Estimator, Project & Development Services

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

Job Title

Director, Project Controls, MEP Estimator, Project & Development Services

Job Description Summary

This director level role will manage all cost management activities of one or multiple complex projects focusing on mechanical trades, i.e division 21, 22 and 23 & electrical trades, i.e. division 26, 27 and 28. The role will make an immediate impact at a client by working with senior project managers, clients, and other key stakeholders to support high-level strategic cost plans to support the client through the early phases of the project lifecycle to the closeout. Will work with the Senior project manager and/or project controls manager to develop a plan for the long‑term support of the project including building, managing and reporting cost reports and analysis. Must have exceptional organizational, analytical and problem‑solving.

Job Description

Essential Job Duties

• Establish the cost management program and deliverables to be used on large scale capital programs (tools, technology, processes and procedures).
• Lead the MEP estimating functions during preconstruction, contractor negotiation through project close‑out.
• Manage and lead development of project budgets, benchmarking and cost studies.
• Executive level presentation skills, anticipating needs of audience, and tailored communications appropriately.
• Extensive knowledge of regional markets, competition, and industry trends.
• Negotiation skills with ability influence and engage stakeholders, and work across levels within organization.
• Prepare quantity take‑offs, analysis, estimates, and additional studies for electrical/mechanical scope of work.
• Utilize NECA / appropriate resources to evaluate labor productivities.
• Integrate all third plans and cost components into integrated cost plan.
• Lead effort to provide detailed analysis to the project manager, client, CM, engineering or other 3rd parties on cost risk, issues, and/or mitigations.
• Drive the accruals and forecast process for the projects including detailed monthly, biweekly, and/or weekly as required.
• Support the risk management process and plan.
• Support facilitation of quantitative risk assessments when required.
• Develop and lead the earned value component of complex manufacturing programs.
• Support development of project control and project execution plan.

Education/Experience/Training

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

• 15 or more years of related experience in working as a cost management expert on capital projects, including design and construction phases.

• Electrical and mechanical estimating experience including ability to interpret complex electrical & mechanical drawings and prepare quantity take‑offs.

• Direct experience working on teams within a complex, matrixed environment.

• Expertise using Excel.

• Experience with data centers and life science preferred.

• Experience within the construction industry required, candidates with additional life sciences experience strongly preferred.

Competencies

• Problem Solving
• Analysis
• Reporting
• Leading Teams

Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role.

The compensation for the position is: $ 165,750.00 - $195,000.00

Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email [e-mail]. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.