Senior Estimator, Construction

JLL; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

JLL is seeking a Senior Estimator, Project Controls in Chicago to lead cost management across diverse sectors, from office to healthcare and education. You will manage budgets, forecast costs, and drive value through VE and design options while coordinating with stakeholders.

Responsibilities include leading teams, delivering detailed estimates from concept to construction documents, and analyzing market pricing. Strong communication with executives and clients is essential in this senior role.

Qualifications

• 5+ years as an Estimator, Cost Manager, or similar role.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (preferred in QS, Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management).
• Ability to regularly communicate analyzed data to client and team to achieve project goals.
• Strong working knowledge of architectural drawings and planning concepts.
• Highly organized with strong analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to interact with executive level clients and external team members.
• Ability to generate AACE level 1-5 cost evaluations with capability of working conceptually.
• Expertise in estimating software and benchmarking tools.
• Ability to work collaboratively, independently, and through ambiguity to create structure.
• Ability to lead teams and translate outputs into marketable deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Partner with team members to execute complex projects and lead project teams.
• Prepare detailed construction cost and project cost estimates from concept through final documents.
• Assess local market pricing for material, labor, and equipment via documents and market studies.
• Provide value engineering and bid analysis; reconcile with contractors.
• Review change orders and assess scope vs base work.
• Develop risk mitigation strategies and coordinate data with stakeholders.
• Review project documentation for compliance with standards.
• Stay current with industry trends and contribute to client initiatives.

Skills

Cost management

Project controls

Budget forecasting

Stakeholder communication

Team leadership

Cost estimation software

AACE cost levels

Market pricing analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Cost-X

On-Screen Takeoff

Excel

Project

PowerPoint

SharePoint

Smartsheet

Job description

What this job involves:

As a Senior Estimator, Project Controls at JLL, you will be responsible for delivering controls and cost management services to various assigned clients and industries including office, cultural, hospitality, healthcare, life sciences, education, and mixed-use projects involving both new build and renovation projects. Your services will include conceptual and detailed milestone cost estimates, feasibility studies, master planning, VE & design option reviews, budget reconciliations, Change Order evaluations, project accounting, and forecasting while collaborating with stakeholders to establish and track project budgets. This senior-level role requires leading projects and teams while maintaining project cost control reports, tracking actual costs against estimated budgets, and identifying and analyzing potential risks that may impact project deliverables, timelines, or budgets.

What your day-to-day will look like:

• Partner with team members to execute complex projects through all stages while leading project teams and client interactions
• Prepare detailed and accurate construction cost and project cost estimates from conceptual design through final construction documents
• Understand and relay local market pricing for material, labor, and equipment using published documents, historical data, and performing market studies
• Provide value engineering services and design option reviews while conducting bid analysis and participating in reconciliations with contractors and subcontractors
• Review change orders and support change management assessing whether changes are within scope of base work
• Develop risk mitigation strategies and monitor their implementation while coordinating with project stakeholders to gather data
• Review and analyze project documentation to ensure compliance with organizational and regulatory standards
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices related to project controls while contributing to strategic client initiatives

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years as an Estimator, Cost Manager, or similar role
• Bachelor's degree from accredited institution (preference towards Quantity Surveying, Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management)
• Ability to regularly communicate analyzed data to client and team to achieve project goals
• Strong working knowledge of architectural drawings and planning concepts
• Highly organized with strong analytical skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to interact with executive level external and internal clients as well as external team members
• Ability to generate AACE level 1-5 cost evaluations with capability of working conceptually and qualifying unknowns
• Expertise in estimating software and benchmarking tools
• Ability to work collaboratively, independently, and through ambiguity to create structure and consensus
• Ability to lead teams and interact with clients while aggregating and translating outputs into marketable deliverables

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Cost-X, On-Screen Takeoff, or other estimating software
• Professional certification in project management (AACE, RICS)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneouslyIntermediate to Expert level in Excel, Project, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Smartsheet
• Expert understanding of building systems (MEPFS and architectural)
• Familiarity with procurement and tendering processes
• Leadership experience in cost management and project controls
• Understanding of value engineering principles and risk management strategies