Lead Cost Estimator — Real Estate & Construction Budgets

Jobtailor; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Charlotte, NC seeks an experienced Estimator/Cost Manager to lead the cost estimation function for real estate and commercial construction projects. You will oversee deliverables, mentor the team, and ensure accurate budgets and vendor evaluations.

The role requires 7+ years in estimating, strong analytical skills, and a bachelor’s degree in a related field. You will collaborate with clients, JLL teams, and external partners to drive project funding.

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
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution preferred, with preference toward Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or Quantity Surveying
• Knowledge of industry standards and market conditions, costs, and cost databases
• Broad background of project management budgets and schedules
• Intermediate to Expert level in Excel, Project, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Smartsheet and estimating software
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship; this position does not provide visa sponsorship

Responsibilities

• Support capital planning, funding approval, and investment decision-making with expert cost estimates, analysis, and advice
• Function as the primary estimating subject-matter expert for the client account
• Oversee estimating deliverables, including vendor proposal and bid evaluation
• Lead the estimating function by preparing estimates, managing team workload, delegating assignments, and meeting service level agreements
• Interface with the Client, JLL teams, and external partners during ROM and detailed estimate and budget development
• Review, develop, track, and update detailed cost estimates and budgets for project funding packages
• Serve as primary reviewer for cost estimates, validating accuracy and challenging assumptions
• Develop and enforce program-wide estimating standards, methodologies, and quality control procedures
• Maintain standardized estimation templates, tools, best practices, request trackers, comparison tools, and historical unit cost databases
• Serve as the single point of contact for estimate requests
• Coordinate daily estimating-team workload and provide status reports to the Cost Estimating Team Lead
• Support onboarding of new estimating resources
• Investigate and incorporate emerging technologies and JLL internal AI tools to automate workflows and conduct scope gap analysis
• Compare actual costs against approved budgets and estimates; track and report deviations, variances, and risks
• Leverage historical data to improve program benchmarks and cost models
• Maintain organized cost-estimate records, assumptions, and risk assessments
• Monitor market conditions and industry best practices
• Build rapport with Client, JLL teams, project managers, design partners, and contractors
• Improve cost-control service delivery, efficiency, and processes
• Comply with JLL policies and procedures

Skills

Cost Analysis

Construction Document Analysis

Mathematical Abilities

Estimating Methodologies

Quality Control Procedures

Effective Communication

Organizational Skills

Collaboration

Attention to Detail

Problem-Solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Estimating Software

Excel

Project

PowerPoint

SharePoint

Smartsheet

Job description

Jobtailor in Charlotte, NC seeks an experienced Estimator/Cost Manager to lead the cost estimation function for real estate and commercial construction projects. You will oversee deliverables, mentor the team, and ensure accurate budgets and vendor evaluations.

The role requires 7+ years in estimating, strong analytical skills, and a bachelor’s degree in a related field. You will collaborate with clients, JLL teams, and external partners to drive project funding.