Role OverviewWe're looking for a seasoned construction cost professional who can do more than build estimates. As a
Senior Estimator, you'll play a key role in helping clients make informed decisions and effectively manage construction costs throughout the project lifecycle, from
design and estimating through procurement, change management, and project closeout.
You'll lead cost discussions, develop and reconcile estimates, evaluate contractor pricing and change orders, identify cost and constructability risks, and provide clear reporting and forecasting. This is a highly collaborative, client-facing role where you'll work closely with
clients, contractors, designers, and project management teams to deliver successful project outcomes.
Key ResponsibilitiesCost Management- Lead recurring cost review meetings, establishing clear objectives and supporting informed decision-making.
- Facilitate value engineering, risk and contingency, and cost reconciliation discussions with clients, contractors, and design teams.
- Develop and present estimating methodologies and assumptions, using data to evaluate scope, quantities, and pricing.
- Reconcile internal and contractor estimates, identifying and resolving variances.
Commercial & Procurement Support- Evaluate change orders, monitor cost trends, and support negotiations.
- Prepare cost reports, variance analyses, dashboards, forecasts, and recommendations for project stakeholders.
- Support contractor account closeout upon project completion.
Collaboration & Client Support- Obtain and review detailed contractor and subcontractor pricing to validate costs and promote transparency.
- Review drawings, specifications, and technical documentation to confirm project scope.
- Conduct site visits to support project meetings and field verification.
- Partner with project management, design, contractor, and client teams on budgeting, value engineering, and change management.
- Identify and help mitigate cost and constructability risks throughout the project lifecycle.
Qualifications & Experience- 8+ years of construction cost management and/or estimating experience, ideally within commercial real estate.
- Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- Strong experience with quantity takeoffs, cost estimating, cost reconciliation, and pricing validation.
- Experience obtaining, reviewing, and challenging detailed contractor and subcontractor cost breakdowns.
- Strong knowledge of construction methods, materials, equipment, and market pricing.
- Experience with value engineering, change orders, risk and contingency management, and cost forecasting.
- Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and other technical documentation.
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management, conflict-resolution, and communication skills.
- Ability to confidently present cost information and recommendations to clients and executive stakeholders.
- Proficiency with industry-standard cost estimating and project management tools.
- Ability to travel as needed.
- Ability to work from our Chicago office 3-4 days per week.
What Will Help You SucceedYou'll thrive in this role if you're
proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and comfortable challenging assumptions. You should be equally confident digging into the details of an estimate and leading a client conversation about costs, risks, and options.
We're looking for someone who builds strong relationships, promotes transparency, collaborates effectively across teams, and brings the commercial awareness needed to turn strong client relationships into future business opportunities.
Arcadis offers benefits for full time and part time positions. These benefits include medical, dental, and vision, EAP, 401K, STD, LTD, AD&D, life insurance, paid parental leave, reward & recognition program and optional benefits including wellbeing benefits, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement. We offer nine paid holidays and 15 days PTO that accrue per year. The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $140,000. Actual salaries will vary and are based on several factors, such as experience, education, budget, internal equity, project and location.
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