Estimating Lead

Job Title: Estimating Lead

Type: Permanent/Contract - Hybrid

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Job Description

The Estimating Lead is responsible for leading the development, management, and assurance of cost and estimating processes across the major rail programme. Operating within the Programme Management Office (PMO), the role ensures robust cost planning, consistent estimating methodologies, and effective cost control aligned with programme governance.

The role acts as the central point for cost and estimating standards, ensuring alignment across delivery partners and integration with schedule, risk, baseline management, and performance reporting. It supports informed decision making by providing accurate cost forecasts, scenario analysis, and commercial insight.

Responsibilities

• Cost Management & Control: Lead programme level cost management processes, including budget development and control, cost forecasting and variance analysis, management of contingency and risk allowances, monitor cost performance across all projects and work packages, ensure alignment between approved budgets, committed costs, and forecast outturn positions, provide clear reporting on cost performance to support governance and decision making.
• Estimating Strategy & Assurance: Define and implement consistent estimating methodologies and standards across the programme. Oversee the development and review of estimates at various stages (concept, design, procurement, delivery). Ensure estimates are robust and evidence based, aligned with scope, schedule, and risk assumptions. Lead independent estimate reviews, benchmarking, and assurance activities.
• Cost Forecasting & Analysis: Lead development of cost forecasts at programme and project levels. Provide scenario analysis and what if modelling to support decision making. Identify cost risks, trends, and pressures early, and support mitigation planning. Support funding reviews, business case updates, and affordability assessments.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Work closely with commercial teams, project managers, planning/scheduling teams, risk and assurance functions. Ensure alignment of cost assumptions and data across all stakeholders. Act as the PMO focal point for cost and estimating governance.
• Governance & Compliance: Ensure cost and estimating processes align with programme governance requirements, public infrastructure and funding frameworks (e.g. TII, Department of Transport). Support stage gate approvals, reviews, and audit processes. Maintain auditability and transparency of all cost and estimating outputs.
• Continuous Improvement & Best Practice: Drive continuous improvement in cost and estimating processes, tools, and methodologies. Introduce benchmarking, lessons learned, and industry best practices. Support capability development across the programme in cost management disciplines.

Required Experience

• Minimum 15 years relevant experience in a senior role.
• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Finance or related field.
• Extensive experience in cost management and estimating in large programmes.
• Infrastructure or public sector programme experience preferred.
• Strong cost analysis, forecasting, and modelling skills.
• Stakeholder management and communication.
• Professional certifications such as RICS, PMP, or preferred equivalent.