Estimation Section Manager

Job Description:

Parsons is seeking an exceptionally talented Estimation Section Manager to join our team and lead cost management excellence across major, high-profile projects.

In this strategic leadership role, you will oversee pre-contract cost management, drive cost certainty, and provide expert commercial advice to clients and senior stakeholders. You will play a key role in shaping project affordability, managing risk, optimizing value, and ensuring successful procurement outcomes.

What You’ll Be Doing

Cost Leadership and Governance

• Lead all pre-contract cost management activities across assigned projects.

• Establish and implement cost management procedures, estimating standards, and benchmarking methodologies.

• Ensure compliance with RICS professional standards and the New Rules of Measurement (NRM).

• Review and approve major estimates and cost plans prior to client issuance.

• Develop and maintain cost management governance frameworks and best practices.

Strategic Cost Planning

Lead and oversee the preparation of:

• Order of Cost Estimates

• Concept Estimates

• Elemental Cost Plans

• Detailed Cost Plans

• Pre-Tender Estimates

You will ensure that design development remains aligned with approved budgets, advise clients on affordability and project viability, and provide strategic guidance throughout the project lifecycle.

Risk and Value Management

• Lead cost risk and opportunity workshops.

• Establish appropriate contingency allowances and risk budgets.

• Identify and quantify design, construction, procurement, and market-related risks.

• Lead value engineering and value management initiatives.

• Maximize value for money while maintaining project objectives, quality, and performance requirements.

Benchmarking and Market Intelligence

• Maintain accurate cost databases and historical benchmarks.

• Monitor market trends, inflation, labor rates, material costs, and supply-chain conditions.

• Validate estimates against comparable projects and industry benchmarks.

• Provide strategic advice on market conditions, cost trends, and potential cost impacts.

• Continuously improve estimating accuracy through lessons learned and data analysis.

Tender Documentation and Procurement

Oversee the preparation and review of:

• Bills of Quantities

• Pricing Schedules

• Tender Documents

• Pre-Tender Estimates

• Commercial evaluation documentation

You will also lead tender analysis, bid evaluation, and commercial assessments while supporting the client’s procurement team throughout the tendering process.

Client Advisory and Stakeholder Management

• Act as the senior cost adviser to project directors, clients, and executive stakeholders.

• Present budget positions, cost forecasts, risks, and opportunities clearly and confidently.

• Support investment decisions by providing reliable cost intelligence and cost certainty.

• Build strong, trusted relationships with clients and project stakeholders.

• Contribute to business development, strategic pursuits, and client engagement initiatives.

What Required Skills You'll Bring:

Bachelor’s degree in one of the following disciplines:

• Quantity Surveying

• Construction Economics

• Construction Management

• Civil Engineering

• Cost Engineering

• A related field

Experience

• Minimum 20 years of total professional experience.

• At least 10 years of experience in pre-contract cost management.

• Proven experience leading cost management or estimating teams.

• Experience working on major infrastructure, buildings, mixed-use, or giga-projects.

• Demonstrated expertise in:

  • Cost planning and estimating

  • Benchmarking and cost database development

  • Value engineering and value management

  • Procurement strategy

  • Tendering and bid evaluation

  • Risk and opportunity management

  • Client advisory services

  • Cost forecasting and reporting

Professional Qualifications

• MRICS membership is highly desirable and is typically considered the minimum professional qualification for a department head or senior cost management leadership role.

Technical Competencies

Strong knowledge and practical experience in:

• RICS New Rules of Measurement

• Cost planning methodologies

• Benchmarking and cost databases

• Procurement and tendering strategies

• Cost risk management

• Value management and value engineering

• Life-cycle costing

• Infrastructure and building estimating techniques

• Cost forecasting and financial reporting

Leadership Competencies

• Department leadership, team development, and resource management.

• Strong client-facing advisory and communication skills.

• Executive-level reporting and presentation capabilities.

• Business development and stakeholder management.

• Ability to establish and implement cost management standards and governance.

• Strategic thinking with a strong focus on commercial outcomes.

• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.

We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!

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