Senior MEP Cost Manager

Rider Levett Bucknall RLB; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 105,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) in Chicago seeks a Senior MEP Cost Manager to oversee electrical and MEP related estimates, manage budgets and schedules, and ensure client satisfaction. The role interfaces with clients, designers, subconsultants, and project teams to deliver accurate cost modeling.

Ideal candidates bring 5–10 years of cost estimating experience in building projects, proficiency with estimating software, and strong communication skills to drive value and manage risks throughout the

Qualifications

• 4-year college degree in Construction Management, Structural Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Cost Estimating or equivalent
• 5-10 years of relevant experience in construction cost estimating across project stages
• Knowledge of industry-estimating software and Microsoft Office programs

Responsibilities

• Prepare estimates, cost options, and bid analyses for MEP needs
• Lead bid and preconstruction estimating efforts
• Review drawings and specs for take-offs and cost data
• Collaborate with subcontractors to define scope and costs
• Manage an estimate through closeout and assist in value engineering studies

Skills

Cost estimating

Budgeting

Construction knowledge

Communication

Bid analysis

Value engineering

Client liaison

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction/Engineering

Tools

Estimating software

MS Office

Job description

Title: Senior MEP Cost Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reporting to: Office Director

Salary Range:$105,300.00 - $175,176.00 USD

Company Overview

We are looking for dynamic individuals to join our team! With over 20 offices in North America and the Caribbean in addition to over a hundred global offices and approximately 4,000 staff worldwide, RLB has a truly global reach while still offering a local presence to its clients almost without exception. We are committed to our core services and pride ourselves on our dedication to customer care and leading-edge service provision.

Truth. Trust. Together. Tomorrow.

At RLB, we speak the truth, build for the long term, look out for each other and work to do good. We are driven by outcomes, creating tailored solutions that deliver successful projects. We believe that when we bring together the right people doing things the right way, we make progress for our clients and our communities.

RLB is an award-winning international firm, known for providing property and construction consultancy advice at all stages of the construction cycle. Utilizing its many years of experience and professionally trained employees, RLB continues to firmly establish itself as one of the major players in the construction industry throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, and Oceania. Our employees are involved in a variety of projects across a range of sectors, from sports arenas and healthcare to higher education and convention centers.

As a privately held company, we hire the best people, give them exceptional training, and provide extensive opportunities for professional growth while working on exciting projects while providing an excellent compensation and benefits package.

Overview of Role

The Senior MEP Cost Manager is responsible for oversight of construction projects and keeping within expected budgets, schedules and adhering to the company’s quality standards and the client’s satisfaction for electrical related estimates. Employees in this position will interface with clients, consultants, designers, superintendents, and subcontractors to initiate any action required to achieve the project’s goals and ensure that all project activities are consistent with Company policy. The position will also play a key role in business development with future and current clients. The Senior MEP Cost Manager should have the ability to identify opportunities within a project that will add value and help successfully accomplish the client’s desired project outcome.

Essential Functions

• Prepare estimates, cost options, cost strategies, change order reviews, valuations of work in progress and bid analyses according to the MEP needs.
• Acts as lead individual on bid and preconstruction estimates.
• Prepare preconstruction estimates for schematic and design development levels for project.
• Review construction plans and specifications to complete quantitative take-offs and support estimators.
• Communicate with subcontractor base regarding project scope, schedule, risks, etc.
• Lead and support bid day tasks including the following: finalize project cost & alternates; verify subcontractors’ scopes & costs; analyze project risks; resolve conflicts and questions on bid scopes.
• Provides work as required to budget for MEP trades.
• Develops and establishes ability to budget MEP work without 100% of documentation to the point of developing ability to conceptually budget, visualize and plan a project.
• Compiles and analyzes data on all factors that influence costs, such as material, labor, equipment, and profit margins.
• Performs complex cost estimates and analysis for capital and professional services projects.
• Evaluates cost estimating deliverables prepared by consultants for cost containment.
• Evaluates quotes, bids, change orders, value engineering reports, and claims for accuracy and completeness of stated costs.
• Acquires and evaluates pricing documents, historical and vendor cost data for the development of cost estimates and price recommendations.
• Accurately forecasts costs of future projects and changes to existing projects
• Prepares technical evaluations, cost estimating draft reports, memos, and letters and presents recommendations to management.
• Work as integral part of our Estimating Team to perform plan and specification analysis, takeoff, and pricing of various construction projects.
• Work with subcontractors and vendors to define scope and perform subcontractor and vendor analysis.
• Responsible for managing a complete estimate through final review and closeout.
• Participate in Value Engineering studies and negotiations with contractors.
• Attend client meetings as needed.
• Contributes to team performance by collaboration and effective communication.
• Contributes to and understands the clients desired project outcomes, identifies opportunities to add value to accomplish the desired outcomes.
• Adds to team effort by accomplishing other duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a positive proactive approach to the role, and will be committed to delivering customer service excellence, with good commercial results.

• Minimum Education (or substitute experience) required: 4-year college degree in Construction Management, Structural Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Cost Estimating or equivalent recognized technical qualification related to MEP.
• Minimum Experience required: 5-10 years’ relevant experience in construction cost estimating of a variety of building types from program, conceptual, schematic, design development and construction document stages of design in elemental and CSI format
• Knowledge and understanding of execution of cost management services; good planning, organization, and communication skills essential. Understanding of technical and non-technical documents related to cost management services required. Knowledge and use of industry-estimating software and Microsoft Office software programs

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Indoor office environment. May require work on site location when necessary
• Equipment used includes computers and standard office machines
• Essential physical tasks include: the ability to work on a computer and the ability to answer and speak on a telephone. May require the use of a ladder on occasion

RLB is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This company does not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices based on race, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hiring, transferring and promotion practices are performed without regard to the above listed items.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.