Senior Estimator & Project Controls Leader

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

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.