Cost Estimation

About the Role

Expo 2030 Riyadh is seeking a Cost Estimation Specialist to oversee its cost estimating frameworks. This full-time role, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, involves governing conceptual, preliminary, and detailed estimates, benchmarks, and cost models. The specialist will integrate with development, delivery, procurement, and finance teams to ensure Expo 2030 Riyadh remains within approved financial envelopes.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare conceptual, preliminary, and detailed cost estimates.
• Validate pre-award cost estimates for major packages, confirming alignment with design maturity and scope exclusions.
• Conduct affordability checks during design development with the Design function to maintain solutions within target costs.
• Support value-engineering workshops by quantifying savings and schedule effects while protecting quality and operability.
• Coordinate independent cost reviews for high-risk scopes to validate major decisions.
• Approve estimate classes, contingency allowances, and basis-of-estimate documentation before submission.
• Benchmark and develop cost models using market data and historical baselines.
• Maintain benchmark databases and market indices for key trades, systems, and pavilion typologies relevant to Expo Riyadh.
• Develop BI tools and databases for vertical-specific and infrastructure estimation.
• Analyze bid variances against estimates to refine benchmarks and improve future predictions.
• Provide estimate benchmarks to Procurement to support bid evaluation and award recommendations.
• Capture lessons learned on estimating accuracy, market response, and risk pricing to inform future programs.

Strategy and Governance

• Oversee cost estimating standards (class definitions, assumptions libraries) to ensure comparable bids and defensible business cases.
• Set the strategy, operating model, and annual plan for Cost Estimation in alignment with Cost Estimation & Control and ERC objectives.
• Define priorities, performance standards, and KPIs for Cost Estimation, and report performance to leadership.

Team Leadership

• Lead, develop, and motivate the Cost Estimation team, setting objectives and managing performance in line with company processes.
• Build team capability and foster a culture of accuracy, integrity, accountability, and collaboration.

Qualifications and Experience

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field. A Master’s degree in a relevant field is preferred.
• Professional Certifications: Relevant professional certifications or memberships in cost estimation, cost management, quantity surveying, or project controls are preferred.
• Experience: 7-11 years of relevant experience, with a strong leadership background and a proven track record of strategic decision-making.
• Nature of Experience: Extensive experience leading cost estimating for construction and infrastructure programs on giga-projects or major events. Strong experience in building benchmark databases and cost models, and supporting value engineering and bid evaluation. Experience in Saudi Arabia or the GCC is preferred.

Required Skills

• Commercial and stakeholder management.
• Strategic leadership and team development.