Senior Estimator, Construction

National Black MBA Association; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

JLL in Chicago is seeking a Senior Estimator, Project Controls to deliver controls and cost management services across project types including office, cultural, hospitality, healthcare, and more. You will lead projects and teams, develop budgets, track costs, and analyze risks to protect project deliverables and schedules.

Responsibilities include preparing estimates from concept to documents, conducting market analyses, and providing VE and option reviews while coordinating with contractors and

Qualifications

• 5+ years as an Estimator, Cost Manager, or similar role.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (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 executive-level interactions.
• Ability to generate AACE level 1-5 cost evaluations and qualify unknowns.
• 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

• Lead project teams and client interactions across complex projects.
• Prepare detailed construction cost and project cost estimates from concept to documents.
• Relay local market pricing for materials, labor, and equipment using sources and market studies.
• Provide value engineering and design option reviews, bid analysis, and reconciliations.
• Review change orders and support change management within scope of base work.
• Develop risk mitigation strategies and coordinate with stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with organizational and regulatory standards.
• Stay updated on industry trends and contribute to client initiatives.

Skills

5+ years experience

Strong analytical skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Leadership experience

Communication of data

Ability to lead teams

Collaborative working

Market knowledge of costs

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Cost‑X

On‑Screen Takeoff

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 simultaneously
• Intermediate 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