Lead Cost Estimator

Posting Date: 24 Jan 2025

City: Chicago

Location:

Chicago, IL, US, 60603

Contract Type: Permanent

Division: North America Infrastructure & Mobility

Level of experience: Senior

RINA is currently recruiting for a Lead Cost Estimator to join its office in Chicago, IL within the North America Infrastructure & Mobility Division.

Mission

The Lead Estimator is part of either the Construction or Program Management Organization responsible for managing all program estimating tasks, ensuring compliance with the Project Cost Estimating Policies and Procedures. The Lead Estimator maintains consistent communication with the project oversight team and the client’s Engineering function to gather all relevant project information needed to prepare estimates commensurate with the level of design within the project timeline. Throughout the process, the lead estimator and team provide feedback to the design/oversight/planning team relevant to specific project cost attributes to aid in technical decision-making, preparation of a project schedule, and development of project bid documents.

Key Accountabilities

Manage the preparation of and prepare cost estimates during early planning phases through 100% Design, including:
- Maintain communication with internal team members and the client- to effectively capture project scope
- Enforce the Program Cost Estimating and Procedures Manual to ensure consistency and quality across all classes of estimates.
- Evaluate and establish appropriate project soft cost factors for planning level and early design projects, with further refinement as project design is developed
- Work with internal team members to develop and maintain appropriate factors for internal costs to be included into Project Budgets
- Track and communicate estimate status with project stakeholders and management via bi-weekly meetings
- Provide procurement support by assisting with the development of front-end contractor documents as required
- Advise management of various contracts using data provided by Program Controls, lessons learned from other projects, and industry experience/best practices
- Perform in depth reviews of team estimates and provide constructive feedback and ultimately approval
Drive program-level support deliverables and initiatives like:
- Provide support on improvement and standardization efforts of engineering and construction management contracts, task orders and blanket contracts
- Participate in various construction and capital program delivery enhancement efforts as recommended internal team leadership and requested by the client

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Engineering, or other related field of study
10+ years of estimating experience in heavy civil engineering, preferably in railroad or urban transit. General contracting experience is a plus.
2+ years of supervisory or leadership experience
Demonstrated experience in building conceptual estimates from minimal plan information, as well as bottoms-up crew-based production estimates
Experience with use of HCSS Heavy Bid estimating software or similar preferred
Ability to interact with architects, engineers, clients, and operations staff to ensure a clear understanding of a project
Excellent oral and technical written communication skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work being performed. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

Competencies

ADDRESS THE WAY - Have a big picture of different situations and reinterpret it in a perspective way
BUILD NETWORK - Forge trust relationships, across departments, and outside the organization
EARN TRUST - Take everyone's opinion into account and remain open to diversity
MAKE EFFECTIVE DECISIONS - Structure activities according to priorities, actions, resources and constraint
PIONEER CHANGE - Actively embrace change and benefit from the new circumstances
PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - Promote commitment by keeping promises as a Role Model
THINK FORWARD - Capitalise on experiences and translate them into action plans for the future

With over 5,600 employees and 200 offices in 70 countries worldwide, RINA is a multinational player which provides certification, marine classification, product testing, site supervision and vendor inspection, training and engineering consultancy services across a wide range of sectors. Our business model covers the full process of project development, from concept to completion. The aim is to guarantee a project’s technical, environmental and safety - and sometimes also economic and financial - sustainability.

RINA North America provides a comprehensive benefits package, including the following insurance options: Medical, Dental, Vision, Medical Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Transit, Parking, Basic Life, Basic AD&D, Voluntary Life, Voluntary AD&D, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Voluntary Accident, Voluntary Critical Illness, Identity Theft Protection, Pet Insurance, and Employee Assistance Program. Addional benefits provided include paid time off, company holidays, tuition reimbursement, nursery grant, travel resource services, and 401K plan with company discretionary match.

At RINA, we endeavor to create a work environment where every single person is valued and encouraged to develop new ideas. We provide equal employment opportunities and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected and safe from discrimination or harassment of any kind. It is the policy of RINA to provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy) national origin, age, disabilities, marital status, sexual orientation, genetics, military status, disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, other protected veterans (veterans who served during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a badge has been authorized), and Armed Forces service medal veteran, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. We are strongly committed to this policy and believe in the concept and spirit of the law.

RINA does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of RINA without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of RINA. Please, no phone calls or emails.