Lead Estimator📣 Job Ad

About the Role

Parsons Corporation is seeking a Lead Estimator to join our team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This full-time position involves leading the preparation of detailed cost estimates across various project phases, ensuring accuracy and compliance with project requirements. The role requires a seasoned professional with a minimum of 10 years of experience in construction and infrastructure estimating.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of detailed conceptual, preliminary, budgetary, and definitive cost estimates.
• Review project scope, drawings, specifications, Bills of Quantities (BOQs), design documents, and technical requirements to establish estimating needs.
• Develop comprehensive cost estimates covering labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, preliminaries, temporary works, and other project costs.
• Prepare detailed quantity take-offs from drawings, specifications, BIM models, and other project information.
• Develop and maintain estimating databases, cost breakdown structures, unit rates, productivity rates, and historical cost data.
• Analyze market rates, supplier quotations, subcontractor proposals, and current construction costs.
• Prepare detailed pricing for civil, infrastructure, structural, MEP, utilities, roads, airfield, and specialist construction works.
• Review subcontractor and supplier quotations for scope compliance, exclusions, qualifications, and commercial assumptions.
• Identify gaps, inconsistencies, omissions, and potential scope overlaps within tender and design documentation.
• Develop clear estimating assumptions, exclusions, qualifications, and clarifications.
• Coordinate with Engineering disciplines to obtain technical input and resolve scope and design uncertainties.
• Work with Procurement and Commercial teams to validate material, equipment, supplier, and subcontractor costs.
• Provide cost input to Value Engineering and alternative design assessments.
• Analyze cost impacts associated with design changes, scope changes, and construction methodology.
• Prepare cost estimates for Variations, Change Orders, Claims, and additional works.
• Review and validate estimates prepared by Estimators, Quantity Surveyors, and other team members.
• Lead estimating reviews and ensure consistency of pricing methodologies across disciplines.
• Establish and maintain cost benchmarks for major project components.
• Perform cost comparisons against historical projects, market data, and approved budgets.
• Identify major cost drivers, risks, and opportunities within estimates.
• Conduct sensitivity analysis and provide recommendations regarding cost and commercial risks.
• Support the preparation of tender submissions, bid evaluations, and commercial proposals where applicable.
• Prepare and present estimating summaries and cost reports to Project Management and senior leadership.
• Maintain complete and auditable estimating documentation and supporting backup.
• Ensure estimates are developed in accordance with project procedures, contractual requirements, and applicable standards.
• Support project management with cost forecasting and budget development during design and construction phases.

Airport and Infrastructure Specific Responsibilities

• Lead estimating activities for airport facilities, terminals, airfield infrastructure, runways, taxiways, aprons, roads, utilities, drainage, and external works.
• Develop detailed estimates for airfield pavement, earthworks, grading, underground utilities, infrastructure networks, and associated civil works.
• Coordinate with specialist engineering disciplines to accurately price aviation systems, MEP, ICT, ELV, FLS, AGL, and other airport-related systems where applicable.
• Review quantities and pricing for major infrastructure packages and interfaces.
• Assess construction methodologies and temporary works requirements affecting project cost.
• Evaluate cost impacts associated with airport operational constraints, phasing, access limitations, temporary facilities, and work sequencing.
• Support cost planning for complex interfaces between airport buildings, airfield works, utilities, and infrastructure systems.

Key Estimating Deliverables

• Conceptual & Preliminary Cost Estimates
• Detailed Cost Estimates
• BOQ / Quantity Take-Offs
• Cost Breakdown Structures
• Unit Rate Build-Ups
• Labor & Productivity Analysis
• Material & Equipment Pricing
• Subcontractor / Supplier Quote Analysis
• Estimate Basis & Assumptions
• Cost Benchmarking
• Value Engineering Assessments
• Variation / Change Order Estimates
• Cost Impact Assessments
• Estimate Review Reports
• Cost Risk & Sensitivity Analysis
• Tender / Bid Pricing Support
• Management Cost Summaries

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant estimating experience, preferably on major construction, infrastructure, airport, or multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong experience in preparing and reviewing detailed construction cost estimates.
• Proven experience covering multiple disciplines including civil, infrastructure, MEP, utilities, structural, roads, and airfield works.
• Strong knowledge of construction methods, materials, productivity, labor, equipment, and subcontracting.
• Experience with quantity take-offs, BOQs, rate analysis, and cost build-ups.
• Strong understanding of subcontractor and supplier pricing and commercial evaluation.
• Experience with major infrastructure or airport projects is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of estimating software and tools, including Excel and relevant estimating / cost management systems.
• Experience with BIM-based quantity take-off and digital estimating is an advantage.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts, scope management, variations, and change management.
• Excellent analytical, numerical, communication, and reporting skills.

Work Environment

This is a full-time position based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, offering an opportunity to contribute to significant projects within a dynamic team environment.