About the Opportunity

Abdullah A. Al-Barrak & Son Co. is seeking a Lead Cost Estimator to join its team in Al Khobar, Eastern Province. This full-time role involves leading and managing comprehensive cost estimation activities for bids and projects within the Oil & Gas and Petrochemical industries. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and validating classified estimates and leading the proposal/estimation team.

Role Purpose and Team Leadership

The Lead Cost Estimator will oversee all cost estimation activities throughout the EPC and execution phases of projects. This includes establishing robust methodologies, maintaining confidentiality of information as required, and coordinating with various multidisciplinary teams. The role requires strong leadership to guide a team comprising engineering discipline leads, senior engineers, construction and procurement experts, and project planning and controls personnel.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all cost estimation activities for EPC and execution phases.
• Develop, review, and validate Class 1 to Class 5 cost estimates (Order of Magnitude to Bid estimate) in accordance with project requirements and industry best practices.
• Prepare detailed estimates, including material, labor, equipment, construction, indirect costs, and contingency assessments.
• Establish cost estimating methodologies, databases, norms, and benchmarks to support project decision-making.
• Coordinate with engineering disciplines, procurement, construction, and project controls teams to ensure accurate and timely estimates.
• Evaluate contractor and vendor estimates and provide technical recommendations.
• Perform cost risk analysis, sensitivity analysis, and estimate assurance reviews.
• Support value engineering initiatives and identify cost optimization opportunities.
• Prepare estimate basis documents, cost reports, management presentations, and supporting documentation for project approvals.
• Ensure compliance with Client standards, project procedures, and company estimating practices.
• Lead, mentor, and supervise a team of Specialists, Senior Engineers, and Engineers involved in cost estimation activities.
• Interface effectively with clients, stakeholders, and project management teams to support project objectives.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or an equivalent qualification from an accredited university.
• Certification and training courses from AACE are considered an additional advantage.
• Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in the Oil & Gas or Petrochemical industry.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a similar leadership role on major Oil & Gas or Petrochemical projects.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Proven experience in managing and leading teams comprising Specialists, Senior Engineers, and Engineers.
• Strong knowledge of cost estimating techniques, industry norms, benchmarking, and specialized estimating software/tools.
• Proficiency in advanced MS Excel, Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), and specialized estimating.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary and multicultural project environments.
• Capability to lead the preparation of comprehensive EPC cost breakdowns for materials, labor, and equipment.
• Aptitude for conducting cost risk, sensitivity, and historical reconciliation reviews.
• Skilled in cross-functional collaboration with engineering, procurement, and project controls teams to validate scopes.

Application Process

Abdullah A. Al-Barrak & Son Co. is committed to maintaining the highest standards of project estimation. Candidates who meet the outlined qualifications are encouraged to apply.