Senior Cost Estimator
About the role
- Support Capital Planning, funding approval, and investment decision-making processes with expert cost estimates, analysis and advice
- Function as the primary estimating subject-matter expert for the client account, providing oversight and guidance on all estimating deliverables including vendor proposal and bid evaluation
- Lead the estimating function by preparing estimates, managing team workload, delegating assignments, and ensuring all estimates are delivered within service level agreements
- Represent the estimating function and manage stakeholder expectations by interfacing directly with the Client, JLL teams, and external partners during development of ROM and detailed estimates and budgets
- Review, develop, track, and update detailed cost estimates and budgets during project development and design for inclusion in project funding packages
- Serve as the primary reviewer for all cost estimates, validating accuracy and challenging assumptions to ensure robust and defensible outputs
- Lead the development, implementation, and enforcement of program-wide estimating standards, methodologies, and quality control procedures
- Establish and maintain a suite of standardized estimation templates, tools, and best practices
- Research, develop, and manage strategic initiatives to refine the estimating function, including the creation of an estimate request tracker and estimate comparison tools, and developing and maintaining a historical unit cost database for various project types and scopes
- Prioritize requests to meet or exceed the Client's expectations
- Provide superior client service through objective recommendations
- Performance & Process
- Serve as the single point of contact for all estimate requests from the Client and internal JLL teams
- Coordinate the estimating team's daily workload, tracking assignments and progress through a standardized tool to ensure timely delivery
- Provide regular status reports on workload and pipeline to the Cost Estimating Team Lead
- Support the onboarding of new estimating resources by providing guidance on account-specific processes, standards, and tools
- Investigate and incorporate existing and emerging technologies, including JLL's internal AI tools, to automate workflows (e.g., email notifications, preliminary estimate generation) and conduct scope gap analysis
- Periodically compare and verify actual costs against approved budgets and detailed cost estimates then track and report any deviations, variances, or risks
- Leverage historical data to continuously improve program-level benchmarks and cost models
- Provide and maintain accurate and organized records of cost estimates including detailed breakdowns of costs, assumptions, and risk assessments
- Maintain understanding and impacts of market conditions in Client's territories where projects are being executed and stay updated on industry best practices and market trends
- Build rapport with internal and external stakeholders including Client's Real Estate team and internal service providers, project management team, design partners, and contractors
- Enhance overall cost controls service delivery by increasing efficiency and improving processes
- Comply with all JLL policies and procedures, including but not limited to ethics and business practice
- 7+ years as an Estimator, Cost Manager or similar role
- Ability to work and communicate effectively within cross-functional teams and interact with internal and external clients and stakeholders
- Strong understanding of real estate asset management or commercial construction
- Demonstrated ability to analyze construction documents and extract relevant cost information
- Highly organized with attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong analytical skills and mathematical abilities
- Ability to work collaboratively, independently and through ambiguity to create structure and consensus
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a preference toward Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or Quantity Surveying
- Knowledge of industry standards and market conditions, costs, and cost databases
- Broad background of project management budgets and schedules
- Intermediate to Expert level in Excel, Project, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Smartsheet and estimating software
- JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits may include:401(k) plan with matching company contributions
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision CarePaid parental leave at 100% of salary
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
Before you apply
Applying takes about a minute. These four things decide how fast it moves after that.
Your profile is current
It's what we read first. Occupations, seniority and locations matter more than a long history.
Two examples you can talk through
Not a portfolio — just two pieces of work where you can explain the decisions and what you'd change.
A number in mind
What you're on now and what would make you move. We negotiate better when we know both.
Your notice period
Employers plan around it, and it's the question that stalls offers most often.
Once you apply, someone reads it and calls you before anything reaches the employer — usually within two working days.
