Senior Cost Estimator

OCMI, Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 195,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

401K with Company Match

Paid Holidays / Vacation

Job summary

OCMI, Inc. in San Francisco, CA is seeking a Senior Cost Estimator/Manager to lead comprehensive estimating efforts for healthcare and other sectors. You will oversee project cost strategies, manage reconciliations, and collaborate with clients, A/E consultants, and project stakeholders.

This role requires extensive experience in healthcare cost management, strong Excel and takeoff skills, and the ability to mentor a small team while traveling as needed to support projects.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years aggregate construction experience as a cost manager/estimating/preconstruction professional.
• Prior HCAI healthcare project estimating management or preconstruction experience is required.
• Ability to understand and interpret construction documents at all design levels.
• Proficient with OST or similar quantity takeoff software.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Willingness to travel intermittently for projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in construction, engineering, or architecture, or 5 years minimum of applicable construction trade experience in lieu of a degree.

Responsibilities

• Lead comprehensive estimating efforts for multiple project types.
• Oversee QA/QC and communicate cost strategies to clients and stakeholders.
• Manage estimate reconciliations and client presentations.
• Mentor and oversee a small team of estimators.
• Support business development and outreach to prospective clients.
• Collaborate with clients, A/E consultants, and project stakeholders.
• Review drawings to define project scope and cost.
• Source and maintain cost data from vendors.

Skills

Microsoft Excel

Cost management

Estimating

Leadership

Takeoff software

Client communication

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in construction/engineering/architecture

Tools

On-Screen Takeoff (OST)

Job description

At OCMI, our core values—One Team, Curiosity, Meaningful Service, and Integrity—drive everything we do. Founded in 1982 and still privately owned, we've become one of the nation's fastest-growing construction management consultancies. Serving markets across federal, education, hospitality, healthcare, technology, and commercial sectors, we offer comprehensive services including cost management, project management, scheduling, and project controls. Most importantly, our teams are passionate about supporting each other and making a difference in the communities we serve.

We’re excited to welcome a Senior Cost Estimator/Manager to our growing team. We’re seeking candidates based in San Francisco, California, with experience in HCAI healthcare projects to join our cost management and estimating practice. In this role, you’ll lead comprehensive estimating efforts, oversee quality control, develop and communicate cost strategies, manage estimate reconciliations, and collaborate closely with clients, A/E consultants, and project stakeholders.

This is a unique opportunity to support one of the largest healthcare programs in the country, contributing to complex, high-profile projects that make a lasting impact. As part of a collaborative team of cost management, project management, and scheduling professionals, you’ll take on meaningful challenges while continuing to grow your career.

Responsibilities:

• Represent the firm to clients, peer organizations, and business associates with the values of OCMI
• Be capable of explaining cost deliverables, processes, and justifications in a formal meeting, presentation, or negotiation as the lead OCMI representative.
• Provide detailed quantity take-off and preliminary pricing for a variety of construction project types.
• Review and interpret construction drawings to understand the overall project scope.
• Support development of comprehensive cost estimates/models communicating the client’s project and strategic goals.
• Facilitate document control, file management, and project collaboration.
• Ensure a quality product is presented to the client by adhering to QA/QC procedures.
• Actively research, solicit, and develop sources/vendors to compile and maintain the accuracy of cost information.
• Communicate effectively through clear and concise means appropriate to the project goals.
• Perform life cycle cost analysis, value engineering, and risk analysis tasks.
• Mentor, train, and oversee a small team of cost estimators.
• Participate in business development and marketing initiatives, including leading outreach to key, prospective new clients.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 15 years aggregate construction experience as a cost manager /estimating/preconstruction manager professional, preferably as a consultant or for a large national general contractor, to include, but not limited to, conceptual estimating, take-offs, change order review/reconciliation, value engineering solutions, risk mitigation and management, etc.
• Prior HCAI healthcare project estimating management or preconstruction experience is required. Any of these HCAI experiences, or a combination of them, is acceptable.
• Ability to understand and accurately interpret construction documents at all levels of design (drawings, specifications).
• Proficient user of On-Screen Takeoff (OST) software or similar quantity takeoff software preferred.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to travel intermittently for projects and meetings with clients and project site visits.
• A bachelor’s degree in construction, engineering, or architecture, or 5 years minimum of applicable construction trade experience in lieu of a degree, is preferred.

Benefits include:

• Company-sponsored Medical/Dental/Vision and Life Insurance
• 401K Program with a Company Match
• Paid Holidays / Sick Leave / Vacation Accrual
• Company Team Building, Employee Events, and a fun, people-first environment

Compensation: $195,000.00 - $220,000.00

OCMI, Inc. (OCMI) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. OCMI does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.