Senior Director, Cost Estimating, Project & Development Services

Cushman & Wakefield • Baltimore, MD

2d

About The Position

The Senior Director – Cost Estimating is a senior leadership role responsible for developing, leading, and scaling a best-in-class cost estimating capability in support of large-scale capital programs and projects. This individual will provide strategic leadership and technical expertise in the development of conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction estimates across complex projects and programs. The Senior Director will work closely with project management, project controls, design teams, construction partners, and clients to ensure accurate cost planning, benchmarking, and financial forecasting throughout the project lifecycle. This role will also play a critical role in developing estimating standards, tools, data libraries, and best practices while mentoring and developing a team of cost estimating professionals. The position requires a highly experienced professional with deep expertise in capital program cost management, estimating methodologies, market benchmarking, and construction cost drivers across complex sectors such as industrial, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, data centers, healthcare, and other large capital development projects.

Requirements

• Deep expertise in cost estimating methodologies across multiple project phases including conceptual, design development, and construction documentation.
• Extensive knowledge of construction cost drivers including labor, materials, equipment, logistics, and escalation.
• Strong understanding of capital program cost management and project controls principles.
• Experience developing cost models, benchmarking tools, and estimating databases.
• Advanced analytical and financial modeling capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex cost analysis and present findings to senior leadership and clients.
• Ability to manage multiple large-scale projects and programs simultaneously.
• Experience leading value engineering and cost optimization exercises.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex cost data into clear insights for decision makers.
• Proven leadership experience mentoring and developing estimating professionals.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple disciplines including project management, engineering, procurement, and construction.
• High attention to detail with strong organizational and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Strong proficiency with advanced spreadsheet modeling and data analysis tools.
• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, quantity surveying, architecture, or a related field
• 15+ years of experience in construction cost estimating, cost management, or capital project advisory
• Experience estimating large-scale capital construction projects

Nice To Haves

• Experience estimating complex capital programs including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, data centers, healthcare, infrastructure, or large commercial developments.
• Experience developing parametric and benchmark-based estimating models.
• Familiarity with cost estimating software platforms and construction cost databases.
• Experience supporting program-level budgeting and portfolio cost planning.
• Knowledge of procurement strategies including CMAR, design-build, and integrated project delivery.
• Experience implementing cost management systems and processes within large organizations.
• Experience building or scaling an estimating function or team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of cost estimating strategies, standards, and methodologies across large-scale capital programs and projects.
• Prepare and oversee conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction-level cost estimates for projects of varying size and complexity.
• Establish cost benchmarking frameworks and maintain historical cost databases to support future estimating efforts.
• Partner with project management and project controls teams to integrate estimating with budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting processes.
• Provide strategic cost advisory to clients and internal leadership regarding project feasibility, scope alignment, and cost risk.
• Analyze cost drivers, market trends, escalation factors, and regional labor and material conditions to inform estimating assumptions.
• Lead value engineering and cost optimization efforts with design and construction partners.
• Develop cost plans and cost models that support early-stage project planning and program budgeting.
• Review and validate third-party estimates, contractor bids, and construction cost proposals.
• Participate in project governance meetings, client presentations, and executive reviews regarding cost strategy and project financial performance.
• Provide oversight and quality assurance for estimating deliverables prepared by internal staff or consultants.
• Collaborate with scheduling and project controls teams to ensure cost and schedule alignment.
• Develop standardized estimating tools, templates, and reporting dashboards.
• Support business development efforts by contributing cost intelligence and estimating support for pursuits and proposals.
• Mentor and develop cost estimating professionals and build a scalable estimating team structure.
• Identify opportunities to improve estimating accuracy through improved processes, technology, and data analytics.
• Maintain awareness of evolving construction markets, procurement strategies, and industry best practices.

Benefits

• Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work.
• In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director