Project Estimator

Project Estimator

As a Project Estimator within our Project & Development Services team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the financial success of commercial real estate and construction projects. You'll be responsible for developing accurate, data-driven cost estimates across all phasesfrom conceptual design through final constructionby leveraging market intelligence, vendor relationships, and industry-standard tools. This role demands a strategic mindset, technical precision, and collaborative spirit to support project managers, clients, and senior leadership in making informed decisions that drive value, mitigate risk, and ensure project alignment with scope and budget. In programs where Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) pricing, capital planning, and vendor coordination are central, you will also lead scenario-based pricing exercises, support long-range budgeting efforts, and maintain internal estimating tools that inform client investment decisions.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Preconstruction Strategy & ROM Development
• Lead development of Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimates for test fits, feasibility studies, and "what-if" scenarios.
• Build and maintain internal estimating tools using Excel and SharePoint to support rapid pricing and scope validation.
• Collaborate with program teams to prepare accurate ROMs for capital planning and client approvals.
• Capital Planning & Financial Forecasting
• Support client capital planning efforts with cost, schedule, and market analysis.
• Track budget vs. actuals, pricing trends, and regional cost shifts to inform investment decisions.
• Maintain internal pricing databases and forecasting models aligned with client expectations.
• Vendor & Subcontractor Coordination
• Solicite, evaluate, and negotiate bids from vendors and subcontractors to ensure cost-effectiveness and scope alignment.
• Manage bid processes and maintain master vendor / trade pricing databases.
• Coordinate with internal and client stakeholders to validate vendor pricing and performance.
• Estimating & Cost Analysis
• Prepare detailed cost estimates across all project phases : Conceptual, Schematic, DD, CD, and Hard Bid.
• Perform quantity takeoffs and analyze construction documents to determine scope and pricing.
• Leverage benchmarking tools (e.g., RS Means), historical data, and market trends for pricing accuracy.
• Reporting & Documentation
• Prepare pricing summaries, statements of work, and bid packages for internal and client review.
• Document pricing assumptions, dependencies, and data sources for transparency and auditability.
• Communicate regularly with internal teams, clients, and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and clarity.
• Project Support & Handover
• Assist execution teams with vendor proposal evaluations and final estimate assembly.
• Support technical compliance and handover processes during procurement and construction phases.

Key Competencies

Required Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Finance, or a related field.

Relevant Experience

57 years of experience in cost estimating, preferably in commercial construction or real estate development. Experience with tenant improvement and retail construction projects is preferred.

Additional Qualifications

Other Duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Conditions of Employment

All offers of employment are contingent upon : legal documentation establishing identity and eligibility to work in the U.S., U.S. citizenship, drug testing, criminal background check, clean DMV record (for driving roles), education verification, and reference checks.

AAP / EEO STATEMENT

Cushman & Wakefield provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated. Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements. The compensation for the position is $68,000.00 - $80,000.00.