Title: Cost Estimator
Work Location: New Jersey
Our client is an Offshore Wind owner on the East Coast looking to develop a large lease area on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.
Scope
The Cost Estimator will play a central role in supporting project design and optimization, as well as value-decision making. Working under the Project Services Manager, the Cost Estimator will develop, maintain and optimize Cost Estimation processes and tools (Cost Estimate Plan, Costing process and interface with Valuation, CSRA, etc.), including the cost book, assumption book, escalation tracker and commercial and technical exceptions; support the Contracting and Procurement (C&P) team as needed for RFI and tenders purposes and work closely with the Valuation Lead to provide inputs to the economic model. Cost Estimator will support across the JV portfolio across projects in different stages of development.
Responsibilities
90% - Cost estimation and support to economic modeling
- Develop Cost Estimate Plan detailing how the estimate will be developed, considering early market inputs from Requests For Information (RFIs), Request For Binding Offers (RFBOs) and Request For Proposals (RFPs)
- Develop, compare and challenge cost estimates working closely with Technical Leads and the Contracting & Procurement Team (C&P)
- Define, in collaboration with the Technical Leads, and utilize cost methodologies and tools to produce Lower Bound, Base Case and Upper Bound cost estimates for the project, inclusive of engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and start-up scope and costs
- Interface with Operations and Maintenance team and Energy Production Team to ensure consistency of project design and associated cost estimates
- Maintain and optimize escalation methodologies and tracking tools, including tracking indexes and evaluating impact to cost estimates
- Incorporate project complexity factors into project estimates and assemble key input data such as project objectives, scope and execution plan
- Identify, challenge and document cost estimate assumptions (Estimate Basis) along with Project Leads and Technical Leads
- Perform scenario comparisons and uncertainty analysis and sensitivities on cost estimates, reflecting analysis of project risks. Identify areas of uncertainty and apply appropriate allowances, including allocated and unallocated cost contingencies
- Collaborate with Risk Lead on probabilistic cost estimating
- Manage reviews and assurance of cost estimates
- Manage Estimating Data - Support process to collect actual cost performance, condition and normalize data for future use, develop metrics and benchmarking information
- Assess prospect scope and develop consistent, high level conceptual estimates for each concept under consideration
- Establish process to ensure cost estimates confidentiality and store files in a consistent, secure location, in collaboration with Document Controller
- Report to management on CAPEX and OPEX changes between phases, or between each bi-annual bottoms up estimate check analysis following entry into the Define phase
- Assist with pricing up and costing large changes identified in the MOC and trend process
- Support Lease development
5% - Coordination and optimization
- Ensure policies, including record keeping and documentation management, are followed
- Perform other tasks as assigned by the Lead Cost Engineer, Project Services Manager or Management
- Generally, act as subject matter expert for the JV with regards to cost estimation
- Implement solutions that educate and train internal and external stakeholders on cost estimation best practices
5% - Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Architecture or Construction Science required
- 5+ years of relevant work with capital projects ($250+ million value) leading cost estimation
- Experience in onshore wind and/or offshore industry a plus
- PMP Certification a plus
- Experience in quantitative risk assessment a plus
- Additional project services experience a significant competitive advantage (Risk Management, Planning, etc.)
Skills/Knowledge/Abilities
- Knowledge of cost control philosophy and methodologies, estimating, change management, and document controls procedures required
- Advanced knowledge of MS Project application, Visio, MS Access, Word, Excel, SharePoint and PowerPoint
- Extensive experience with budgets/scheduling, risk evaluation is a plus
- Good analytical skills
- Ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural context with multiple experts of various fields, in a high-paced JV environment
- High energy, self-motivated, collaborative individual
- Attention to detail, ability and interest for deep-dive analysis and constant challenging of results
- Excellent communication skills to convey technical concepts to business and technical personnel
- Has good organizational and communication skills
Working Conditions
85% of time is spent in the office environment, utilizing computers (frequent use of various Microsoft software/programs), phones, and general office equipment. Approximately 15% of the time is spent in offsite workshops or visiting other offices, or training.
Equal Opportunity
The client commits to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the renewable energy sector by cultivating an environment deeply rooted in respect and inclusivity.
By embracing individual uniqueness and differences in perspective we aim to create a safe space for all employees regardless of race, sex, age, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining, Automotive and Chemicals sectors worldwide.With more than 100 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.
