Senior Estimator – Cost Strategy Leader (Chicago)

Arcadis U.S.Inc.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401K

Paid parental leave

Life insurance

Wellbeing benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Arcadis U.S., Inc. is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead cost discussions and develop accurate estimates across design, procurement, change management, and closeout.

You will work closely with clients, contractors, designers, and project teams to control costs and deliver successful outcomes. Based in Chicago with a requirement to work from the office 3–4 days per week, you will use industry methods to reconcile estimates, review pricing, and forecast costs while communicating clearly with

Qualifications

• 8+ years of construction cost management and/or estimating experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or related field.
• Strong experience with quantity takeoffs, cost estimating, cost reconciliation, and pricing validation.
• Experience obtaining, reviewing, and challenging detailed contractor/subcontractor cost breakdowns.
• Strong knowledge of construction methods, materials, equipment, and market pricing.
• Experience with value engineering, change orders, risk and contingency management, and cost forecasting.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and other technical documentation.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management, conflict-resolution, and communication skills.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Ability to work from Chicago office 3-4 days per week.

Responsibilities

• Lead recurring cost review meetings and support informed decisions.
• Facilitate value engineering, risk and contingency, and cost reconciliation discussions with clients, contractors, and design teams.
• Develop estimating methodologies and assumptions, using data to evaluate scope, quantities, and pricing.
• Reconcile internal and contractor estimates, identifying and resolving variances.
• Evaluate change orders, monitor cost trends, and support negotiations.
• Prepare cost reports, variance analyses, dashboards, forecasts, and recommendations for project stakeholders.
• Support contractor account closeout upon project completion.
• Obtain and review detailed contractor and subcontractor pricing to validate costs and promote transparency.
• Review drawings, specifications, and technical documentation to confirm project scope.
• Conduct site visits to support project meetings and field verification.
• Partner with project management, design, contractor, and client teams on budgeting, value engineering, and change management.
• Identify and help mitigate cost and constructability risks throughout the project lifecycle.

Skills

Cost estimation

Cost reconciliation

Pricing validation

Client communication

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Travel flexibility

Drawings interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or related field

Job description

Arcadis U.S., Inc. is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead cost discussions and develop accurate estimates across design, procurement, change management, and closeout.

You will work closely with clients, contractors, designers, and project teams to control costs and deliver successful outcomes. Based in Chicago with a requirement to work from the office 3–4 days per week, you will use industry methods to reconcile estimates, review pricing, and forecast costs while communicating clearly with