Director of Estimating
petroplanHouston (TX)
About the role
Petroplan is recruiting for an experiencedDirector of Estimatingto lead cost estimating activities across LNG process facilities, capital projects, and maintenance and outage programs. This role will provide strategic and technical leadership throughout the estimating process, ensuring the development of accurate, comprehensive, and defensible cost estimates to support project planning, budgeting, and investment decisions.
The ideal candidate will bring 10–15 years of estimating experience, preferably within the LNG or broader energy industry, along with a strong understanding of construction execution methodologies, project controls, cost modeling, and risk analysis. Excellent analytical, communication, presentation, and leadership skills are essential.
Qualifications and Skills
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline; equivalent relevant professional experience may be considered.
Approximately 10–15 years of progressive experience in cost estimating, project controls, or a related discipline within the construction, engineering, energy, or industrial sectors.
Experience supporting LNG facilities, process plants, or other large-scale energy infrastructure projects is strongly preferred.
Demonstrated expertise in conceptual, feasibility, detailed, capital project, maintenance, and turnaround estimating.
Strong understanding of construction execution practices, project development, cost control principles, and project management methodologies.
Experience with estimating software, cost modeling tools, benchmarking methodologies, and advanced Microsoft Excel capabilities.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, contracts, and project documentation.
Knowledge of cost risk assessment, contingency development, change management, and estimate variance analysis.
Proven ability to lead, mentor, and review the work of estimating professionals while managing multiple priorities and deliverables.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to estimate accuracy.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate complex cost information to technical teams, senior leadership, and other stakeholders.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams in a dynamic project environment.
Familiarity with applicable industry standards, construction cost trends, and estimating best practices.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead the development and review of conceptual, feasibility, preliminary, order-of-magnitude, and detailed project estimates using parametric, capacity-based, and other appropriate estimating methodologies.
Oversee estimating activities for LNG process facilities, small capital projects, equipment replacements, maintenance programs, and plant turnarounds.
Develop estimating plans, basis-of-estimate documentation, cost reports, presentations, assumptions, methodologies, exclusions, and project constraints.
Evaluate cost benchmarks, contractor bids, commercial proposals, and supporting documentation to assess cost competitiveness and overall project value.
Lead change management and cost variance analysis activities, identifying deviations from approved budgets and evaluating the financial impact of scope changes.
Coordinate with cross-functional stakeholders to establish project scope, technical requirements, execution strategies, and estimating assumptions.
Review engineering drawings, specifications, contracts, procurement documentation, and other technical deliverables to develop comprehensive and reliable cost estimates.
Analyze direct and indirect project costs, including labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, construction services, and applicable overhead expenses.
Identify cost and schedule risks, conduct contingency assessments, and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and quality assurance for estimating team members, including the review of complex estimates and supporting analyses.
Support project management and leadership teams during cost reviews, investment evaluations, budget development, and project approval processes.
Develop and maintain maintenance and turnaround cost estimates while supporting annual maintenance budget planning.
Monitor estimate development as project scope and technical information evolve, maintaining accuracy and consistency throughout the project lifecycle.
Compile historical cost data, develop industry and project benchmarks, and use lessons learned to improve future estimating accuracy.
Identify opportunities to enhance estimating methodologies, procedures, tools, and workflows to improve efficiency, consistency, and reliability.
Perform additional responsibilities as required to support business and project objectives.
As a subject matter expert, the Director will guide estimating teams, review complex estimates, establish best practices, and contribute to management reviews and capital investment evaluations. The role requires close collaboration with Engineering, Procurement, Contracts, Construction, Operations, and Project Management teams to ensure alignment between project scope, execution strategies, schedules, and cost expectations.
This position will be 5 days a week in office; hybrid environment is not offered at this time
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