Lead Cost Estimator - Real Estate & Construction

JLL; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Medical, Dental & Vision Care

Paid parental leave

Paid Time Off

Daily Pay

Job summary

JLL is seeking a senior Estimator/Cost Manager to drive accurate cost estimates and robust budgets for capital projects across multiple regions, including Indianapolis. The role requires coordinating with clients, internal teams, and external partners to ensure reliable ROMs and budget summaries.

You will lead a team, enforce standards, and tailor estimation methodologies to project scope while leveraging historical data to refine cost models and benchmarks.

Qualifications

• 7+ years as an Estimator, Cost Manager or similar role.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively within cross-functional teams and interact with internal and external clients and stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of real estate asset management or commercial construction.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze construction documents and extract relevant cost information.
• Highly organized with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical skills and mathematical abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively, independently and through ambiguity to create structure and consensus.

Responsibilities

• Support Capital Planning, funding approval, and investment decision-making processes with expert cost estimates, analysis and advice.
• Function as the primary estimating subject-matter expert for the client account, providing oversight and guidance on all estimating deliverables including vendor proposal and bid evaluation.
• Lead the estimating function by preparing estimates, managing team workload, delegating assignments, and ensuring all estimates are delivered within service level agreements.
• Represent the estimating function and manage stakeholder expectations by interfacing directly with the Client, JLL teams, and external partners during development of ROM and detailed estimates and budgets.
• Review, develop, track, and update detailed cost estimates and budgets during project development and design for inclusion in project funding packages.
• Serve as the primary reviewer for all cost estimates, validating accuracy and challenging assumptions to ensure robust and defensible outputs.
• Lead the development, implementation, and enforcement of program-wide estimating standards, methodologies, and quality control procedures.
• Establish and maintain a suite of standardized estimation templates, tools, and best practices.
• Research, develop, and manage strategic initiatives to refine the estimating function, including the creation of an estimate request tracker and estimate comparison tools, and developing and maintaining a historical unit cost database for various project types and scopes.
• Prioritize requests to meet or exceed the Client's expectations.
• Provide superior client service through objective recommendations.

Skills

Cost Estimation

Budgeting

Forecasting

Estimating software

Excel

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Project

PowerPoint

SharePoint

Smartsheet

Estimating software

Job description

JLL is seeking a senior Estimator/Cost Manager to drive accurate cost estimates and robust budgets for capital projects across multiple regions, including Indianapolis. The role requires coordinating with clients, internal teams, and external partners to ensure reliable ROMs and budget summaries.

You will lead a team, enforce standards, and tailor estimation methodologies to project scope while leveraging historical data to refine cost models and benchmarks.