Pre-Construction/Estimator Manager

Pre-Construction/Estimator Manager

US-NJ-Princeton

Job ID: 2023-16631
Type: Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Facilities Management and Physical Plant

Princeton University

Overview

The Office of Capital Projects(OCP)provides leadership and expertise to manage capital projects from design through to construction and delivery for both new construction and renovations. We are theliaison between the University department sponsoring the project and the rest of the project team, includingdesigners, architects, engineers, and builders. As Princeton implements its Capital Plan, the Estimator/Pre-Construction Manager will focus on a wide range of concurrent projects, in all phases.

The Chief Estimator is expected to lead the estimating portion of the preconstruction process for assigned projects and will establish standardized process, procedures, and methods for creating highly accurate estimates. On an as-needed basis, the Chief Estimator shall also be asked to review and participate in the negotiation and approval of bids, change orders, payment requisitions and other cost-related events throughout the construction phase.

The position reports to the Executive Director of Administration and works closely with the Associate Vice President (AVP), Executive Director (ED) of Construction, Office of the University Architect, Facilities Procurement Office and in-house project managers, outside consultants, and other internal University stakeholders at all levels. This individual must embody core values essential to the Facilities organization including cooperativeness, excellent customer service, resourcefulness, dependability, and approachability, while exercising the utmost discretion.

Responsibilities

Estimating

• Review/analyze project plans, requirements, specifications, proposals, or other scope documents required to create accurate conceptual estimates
• Determine appropriate labor costs
• Review and comment on project estimates prepared by others at different phases of pre-construction
• Participate in value engineering exercises at key milestones in pre-construction, in collaboration with internal project team, Office of the University Architect, project sponsors, etc.
• Account for current events, labor/product supply and market volatility in each estimate; understand how these interact with inflation in order to produce accurate estimates
• Update estimates at required milestones; forecast significant changes to senior leadership
• Continuously review construction trends and attend professional development opportunities as required to ensure budget and estimating assumptions remain up-to-date and consistent with market trends.
• Use accurate take-offs, material and labor pricing and other data in the creation of cost estimates that can be broken down and analyzed line-by-line
• Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future projects
• Create and maintain a clear and informative tracking system that actively compares actual project costs to estimated project costs.
• Document and report on relevant market trends and changes to senior leadership on a regular basis.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Make strategic recommendations to senior leadership: evaluate/analyze different models; make recommendations for various project execution options, maintaining the highest level of confidentiality
• Participate in the construction bid solicitation process; attend bid openings, review the bids and negotiate/ensure accuracy of the final construction cost, on an as-needed basis
• Review and negotiate/ensure accuracy of change orders, payment requisitions, etc. for projects in active construction, on an as-need basis
• Review and provide comment to capital project cash flows, on an as-needed basis
• Create estimates, reports on market trends and/or cost-related data for strategic planning purposes, as directed by the AVP or ED of Administration on a case-by-case basis
• Assess cost effectiveness of products or delivery methods and advise project teams and/or senior leadership

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Business/Management, or related field
• Minimum 10 years' experience in construction and management, with at least 7 of those in estimating
• Strong knowledge of cost management principles and practices
• Clear understanding of integrated design and construction schedules
• Experience with bid procurement strategies that promote opportunities for supplier diversity.
• Extensive experience in conceptual estimating, construction cost estimating, bidding, quantity take off and budget development
• Experience coordinating with architects, structural engineers, civil engineers, and MEP engineers to determine cost effective solutions during the design process
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing value engineering solutions to reduce project costs while maintaining a high level of constructability and design quality.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate the scope of work of multiple trades to ensure accuracy in the final estimate
• Capability to complete cost estimates for large, complex projects in various project delivery methods such as CM/GC, CMaR, Cost-Plus, Design-Build, etc.
• Exceptional problem solving, organizational, and time management skills with high level of attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Able to thrive and perform in a highly collaborative environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), S. Means, Bluebeam, Revit and estimating software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a related field
• Minimum 7 or more years estimating with project experience
• Experience in a higher education environment
• Experience working in a large-scale organization

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

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