Oracle Corporation

PRINCIPAL LEAD ESTIMATOR & COST CONTROLS SME

Oracle Corporation$126K — $264K *
Real Estate & Construction
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of senior-level experience in cost estimating, cost controls, and project delivery.
  • Proficiency in various estimating methods (conceptual, budgetary, detailed).
  • Strong grasp of multi-discipline construction scopes and contractor pricing practices.
  • Experience in forecasting, budget management, and cost variance analysis.
  • Ability to manage external cost consultants and third-party QS firms effectively.
  • Well-versed in data-driven decision support and executive reporting.
  • Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and validate comprehensive cost estimates across multiple construction scopes.
  • Create and maintain various cost models and estimating tools for project oversight.
  • Lead cost forecasting, variance, and risk analysis to support budget stability.
  • Perform detailed evaluations of bids and proposals from contractors and vendors.
  • Prepare executive reports and governance standards for cost management.
  • Support change order evaluations and cost negotiations effectively.
  • Ensure integration of QS outputs into portfolio reporting and governance.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance offerings.
  • 401(k) plan with company match and competitive savings features.
  • Flexible vacation policy alongside accrued vacation and paid time off.
  • Paid parental leave and adoption assistance programs.
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan and additional voluntary benefits options.
Full Job Description
Job Description

  • Serve as the senior cost estimating, commercial analysis, and project controls subject matter expert for assigned projects, programs, and strategic initiatives.
  • Support investment decisions, budget development, cost governance, forecasting, and execution visibility across the delivery portfolio.
  • Translate project scope, design maturity, market conditions, contractor pricing, and field execution realities into accurate cost models, estimates, forecasts, risk assessments, and executive decision support.
  • Act as Oracle's internal cost authority and owner representative for estimating, cost management, commercial validation, and third-party Quantity Surveying (QS) governance.


Primary Responsibilities:
  • Develop and validate conceptual, budgetary, and detailed estimates across electrical, low voltage, mechanical, civil, structural, architectural, controls, security, network, and site infrastructure scopes.
  • Build and maintain cost models, parametric estimating tools, quantity-based estimates, labor productivity models, benchmarks, and should-cost analyses.
  • Lead cost forecasting, trend analysis, variance analysis, escalation analysis, contingency analysis, and cost risk identification.
  • Perform bid leveling, proposal normalization, commercial evaluations, contractor pricing reviews, vendor pricing validation, and scope gap analysis.
  • Prepare Basis of Estimate packages, executive cost reporting, cost dashboards, estimate governance standards, and portfolio cost intelligence reports.
  • Support change order evaluations, cost negotiation, cost-related decision support, project controls integration, and cost/schedule analytics.
  • Provide portfolio cost visibility by connecting estimating, forecasting, commercial risk, project controls, and field execution data.
  • Standardize estimating methodologies, cost reporting practices, and cost management procedures across assigned projects and programs.
    Third-Party Quantity Surveying (QS) Governance


  • Manage external QS partners and cost consultants as integrated extensions of the delivery organization.
  • Define QS scopes of work, service standards, reporting requirements, performance metrics, and accountability measures.
  • Review, challenge, validate, and accept QS estimates, forecasts, cost reports, methodologies, assumptions, and recommendations.
  • Coordinate multiple QS firms across projects and regions while improving quality, responsiveness, accuracy, and consistency.
  • Integrate QS outputs into portfolio reporting, executive decision-making, cost governance, and continuous improvement efforts.


Required Skills and Experience:
  • Senior-level cost estimating, cost controls, commercial analysis, project controls, or capital project delivery experience.
  • Expertise in conceptual, budgetary, detailed, parametric, and quantity-based estimating methods.
  • Strong understanding of multi-discipline construction scopes, contractor pricing, productivity assumptions, quantities, and field execution realities.
  • Experience with cost forecasting, budget management, cost variance analysis, change order evaluation, contingency planning, and cost risk management.
  • Ability to perform bid leveling, proposal validation, scope reconciliation, should-cost modeling, benchmark development, and commercial challenge.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage third-party QS firms, cost consultants, or external estimating partners.
  • Strong executive reporting, dashboarding, cost governance, documentation, and data-driven decision support skills.
  • Ability to partner with project teams, procurement, construction, contractors, estimators, commercial stakeholders, and executive leadership.
  • Strong communication, cross-functional collaboration, consultant oversight, and stakeholder management skills.


Leadership Expectations:
  • Serve as the organization's subject matter expert for estimating methodologies, cost governance, commercial validation, and owner-side cost leadership.
  • Lead through cost expertise, commercial challenge, consultant oversight, data-driven decision support, and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Build trusted relationships with executive leadership, project teams, procurement, construction, contractors, QS partners, and commercial stakeholders.
  • Drive continuous improvement in estimate accuracy, forecast reliability, commercial rigor, reporting quality, and cost governance consistency.


Success Measures:
  • Estimates are accurate, defensible, trusted, and supported by documented assumptions.
  • Budget development, cost forecasts, and executive cost reporting improve predictability and decision-making.
  • Cost risks, scope gaps, commercial issues, and budget impacts are identified early and mitigated proactively.
  • Contractor pricing transparency increases, cost overruns are surfaced earlier, and change order exposure is reduced.
  • Benchmarks, cost databases, estimating standards, and reporting practices improve portfolio performance over time.
  • QS partners deliver consistent, high-quality work with minimal rework and clear accountability.


Key Performance Indicators:
  • Estimate accuracy; budget variance; forecast accuracy; cost risk identification speed; bid review cycle time.
  • Proposal validation accuracy; change order avoidance; benchmark utilization; cost reporting accuracy; cost savings identification.
  • Estimate turnaround time; portfolio cost predictability; QS deliverable accuracy; consultant performance score; cost reporting consistency; change order validation accuracy.


Core Deliverables:
  • Conceptual, budgetary, and detailed estimates; Basis of Estimate packages; cost models; parametric tools; should-cost analyses.
  • Cost forecasts, bid leveling analyses, commercial review reports, cost risk assessments, executive cost dashboards, and cost benchmarking reports.
  • Quantity validation reports, change order evaluations, contractor pricing reviews, estimate governance standards, and cost database management plans.
  • Portfolio cost intelligence reports, executive recommendation memorandums, portfolio cost performance scorecards, and executive cost governance dashboards.
  • QS governance framework, QS performance scorecards, consultant service reviews, estimate quality audits, independent estimate validations, and commercial challenge assessments.


ONSITE EXPECTATIONS:
  • Maintain approximately 30-50% field/site engagement depending on project phase and estimating activity.
  • Validate estimate assumptions, quantities, productivity, labor utilization, execution methods, and cost forecasts against actual field conditions.
  • Participate in contractor reviews, commercial discussions, consultant deliverable reviews, and project team alignment sessions.
  • Engage directly with project teams, estimators, procurement teams, contractors, QS partners, and commercial stakeholders.
  • Escalate cost risks before budget impacts occur and maintain disciplined estimate documentation.


Role Boundaries:
  • Not responsible for portfolio governance ownership, executive prioritization decisions, final budget approval, final commercial approval, procurement ownership, or contract administration ownership.
  • Not responsible for contractor means and methods, construction execution ownership, site-level schedule ownership, commissioning authority, startup acceptance decisions, or direct contractor management.


Qualifications

US: Hiring Range in USD from: $126,200 to $264,100 per annum. May be eligible for bonus, equity, and compensation deferral.

Oracle maintains broad salary ranges for its roles in order to account for variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions and locations, as well as reflect Oracle's differing products, industries and lines of business.
Candidates are typically placed into the range based on the preceding factors as well as internal peer equity.

Oracle US offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes the following:
1. Medical, dental, and vision insurance, including expert medical opinion
2. Short term disability and long term disability
3. Life insurance and AD&D
4. Supplemental life insurance (Employee/Spouse/Child)
5. Health care and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts
6. Pre-tax commuter and parking benefits
7. 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan with company match
8. Paid time off: Flexible Vacation is provided to all eligible employees assigned to a salaried (non-overtime eligible) position. Accrued Vacation is provided to all other employees eligible for vacation benefits. For employees working at least 35 hours per week, the vacation accrual rate is 13 days annually for the first three years of employment and 18 days annually for subsequent years of employment. Vacation accrual is prorated for employees working between 20 and 34 hours per week. Employees working fewer than 20 hours per week are not eligible for vacation.
9. 11 paid holidays
10. Paid sick leave: 72 hours of paid sick leave upon date of hire. Refreshes each calendar year. Unused balance will carry over each year up to a maximum cap of 112 hours.
11. Paid parental leave
12. Adoption assistance
13. Employee Stock Purchase Plan
14. Financial planning and group legal
15. Voluntary benefits including auto, homeowner and pet insurance

The role will generally accept applications for at least three calendar days from the posting date or as long as the job remains posted.
Career Level - IC5

About Oracle Corporation

Oracle Dyn Global Business Unit is a pioneer in managed DNS and a leader in cloud-based infrastructure that connects users with digital content and experiences across a global internet. Dyn's solution is powered by a global network that drives 40 billion traffic optimization decisions daily for more than 3,500 enterprise customers, including preeminent digital brands such as Netflix, Twitter, Linkedin and CNBC. Adding Dyn's best-in-class DNS and email services extend the Oracle cloud computing platform and provides enterprise customers with a one-stop shop for Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS). On January 31, 2017 Oracle completed the acquisition of Dyn, which now operates as an Oracle Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) global business unit (GBU).

Oracle Corporation Careers

Join Oracle Corporation, a global leader in technology and innovation, and be part of a team that values professional growth, leadership, and diversity. At Oracle, we offer unparalleled job opportunities in the tech industry, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Work You’ll Do

At Oracle, your work will directly impact the future of technology across industries. As part of our team, you will lead projects that redefine the way businesses operate, leveraging Oracle’s cutting-edge technology solutions. Our commitment to leadership in the tech community means you’ll be working at the forefront of innovation, enhancing your skills through hands-on experience and comprehensive diversity training.

Join Our Dynamic Team

Oracle is not just a technology company; we are a team of dedicated professionals committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment. Here, every team member’s contribution is valued, and diversity is celebrated. With Oracle, you are not just accepting a job; you are joining a community that promotes personal and professional growth through constant learning and development opportunities.

Innovative Work and Career Advancement

Embrace the chance to do innovative work with Oracle Corporation, where we push the boundaries of what is possible. With over 130,000 dedicated professionals globally, Oracle offers a workplace where innovation and thought leadership thrive. This environment is perfect for those who are driven to explore new ideas and are eager for opportunities to advance their careers.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking for your next career challenge or a student seeking a promising internship, Oracle provides a range of opportunities. Explore positions that match your skills and interests in areas such as cloud computing, enterprise software, and business analytics. Our hiring process is designed to find not just the right skills but also the right fit for Oracle’s unique culture.

Benefits and Culture

Oracle is committed to supporting our employees’ life and work ambitions. We offer competitive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and wellness programs, all designed to support your career and well-being. Our culture of empowerment encourages networking and collaboration across teams and geographies, ensuring that innovation and creativity flourish.

Develop Your Skills Through Training and Networking

Prepare for your future with Oracle’s comprehensive training programs. From leadership development to technical skills enhancement, we provide the tools necessary to succeed in your career and stay ahead in the industry. Networking within Oracle’s global community will also open doors to collaborative opportunities and career advancement.

Stay Connected with Oracle Careers

Keep up to date with the latest from Oracle Corporation by following our careers blog. Gain insights from the experts and learn about new job openings as they become available. Personalize your job search and stay informed about Oracle’s career events and professional development opportunities.

Join Oracle Corporation—Where Careers Grow

At Oracle, we believe in nurturing the potential of our employees. The growth of our company is driven by the individual successes of our team members. We invite you to bring your unique talents to Oracle, join our mission to drive technological innovation, and help shape the future of the digital world.

Search Oracle Jobs

Ready to take the next step in your career? Search for open positions that align with your skills and passions. We are continuously looking for curious, creative, and motivated individuals to join our team. Explore the opportunities and find out how you can contribute to the success of Oracle Corporation.

Oracle Corporation: Leadership, Innovation, Opportunity.

Learn more about Oracle Corporation
Size
143,000 employees
Market Cap
$217.3 billion
Industry
Net Income
$12.8 billion
Founded
1977
5 Year Trend
+2.3%
Revenue
$39.6 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Oracle Corporation

More Real Estate & Construction Jobs

Find similar PRINCIPAL LEAD ESTIMATOR & COST CONTROLS SME jobs: