Head of Cost Estimating

Location: Qatar
Job Type: Contract

Overview
We are recruiting a Head of Cost Estimating for a leading major projects organisation in the energy and infrastructure sector. This senior role is responsible for providing expert advice on cost management, including estimating, forecasting, reporting, planning, and financial stewardship across complex, capital-intensive projects. The role offers significant exposure to project leadership and the opportunity to influence key financial decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement cost estimating and forecasting processes to support project decision-making

• Lead financial input into project funding submissions and recommend budget adjustments to align actual costs with approved budgets

• Build and maintain benchmarking databases for manhours, cost, productivity, and other key metrics to support cost estimating requirements

• Evaluate and challenge cost estimates for potential change orders, claims, and variations submitted by contractors

• Prepare annual project Work Program and Budget (WP&B) forecasts, taking into account completed and pending scope

• Conduct probabilistic cost risk analysis to determine contingencies and accuracy ranges

• Monitor contractor and project cost performance against agreed plans, recommending corrective measures where necessary

• Advise project leadership on potential cost issues and develop mitigation or recovery plans in conjunction with project controls

• Verify project commitments against approved budgets and ensure change orders are properly documented and approved

• Support technical evaluations of EPC tenders, including developing evaluation plans, coordinating assessment processes, and producing technical bid evaluation reports

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Commercial, Engineering, Project Management, Supply Chain, Finance, Mathematics, Statistics, or related discipline

Experience and Knowledge

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in a business-related function or discipline, including at least 6 years in the energy or engineering sector

• At least 2 years’ experience in a supervisory or oversight role, managing contractors or vendor personnel

• Proven experience in project cost control, estimating, change management, risk management, and financial reporting

• Strong knowledge of international standards, best practices, and methodologies in project cost management

• SME-level competence in cost estimating with experience in large-scale projects

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to lead complex financial processes and guide project teams on cost performance

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to interact with internal and external stakeholders

• Proficient in standard business software, data analytics, dashboards, and project financial systems

• Experience in large-scale operational and project environments