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

Cushman & Wakefield; United States; Remote; USD 166,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement savings plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield is seeking a Director of Project Controls to lead cost management for complex projects with emphasis on MEP trades. You will develop budgets, perform take-offs, and deliver actionable cost reports to senior management.

Requires a Bachelor’s degree and 15+ years in cost management on capital projects, including electrical and mechanical estimating. Strong Excel skills and stakeholder communication are essential.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of cost management on capital projects.
• Experience with electrical and mechanical estimating.
• Ability to interpret complex electrical & mechanical drawings and prepare quantity take-offs.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost management for large capital programs including cost reports and analyses.
• Develop budgets, benchmarks and cost studies; prepare detailed cost analyses.
• Provide detailed cost risk analyses and communicate insights to stakeholders.
• Lead earned value and valuation effort across multiple projects.

Skills

Cost management

Excel expertise

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

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.

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/ou 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 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.

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”

About Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield Cushman & Wakefield Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for occupiers and investors with approximately 53,000 employees in over 350 offices and nearly 60 countries. In 2025, the firm reported revenue of $10.3 billion across its core service lines of services, Leasing, Capital markets, and Valuation and other. Built around the belief that Better never settles, the firm receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture. For additional information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com