Head of Cost Estimating
Location: Qatar
Working Schedule: 10 hours per day, 6 days per week, 26 days per month
Contract Duration: 36 months
Start Date: ASAP
Job Purpose
Provide expert guidance on cost management activities including estimating, forecasting, reporting, cost allocation, planning, and cost stewardship for large-scale capital projects. This role ensures consistent cost control practices and supports effective decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.
Key Accountabilities
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Develop robust cost services and provide expert advice on estimating, forecasting, cost control, allocation, planning, and reporting.
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Lead financial inputs for funding submissions and recommend budget reallocations to ensure alignment with approved cost baselines.
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Maintain benchmarking databases (productivity, cost, manhours) to support accurate estimating.
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Review, estimate, and challenge potential change orders and claims submitted by contractors.
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Produce cost forecasts and support annual budget planning based on project progress and scope.
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Conduct cost risk analysis to establish contingencies and accuracy ranges.
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Monitor contractor and project cost performance, evaluate trends, and recommend corrective actions where required.
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Alert project leadership to emerging cost issues and develop recovery plans in collaboration with project controls.
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Verify project commitments, ensure proper approval of change orders, and support internal cost reporting integrity.
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Support tender evaluation processes by preparing evaluation plans and coordinating technical assessment activities.
Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, commercial studies, engineering, project management, supply chain, law, sciences, mathematics, statistics, or a related discipline.
Knowledge and Experience
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Minimum 10 years’ experience in business-related functions, including at least 6 years in the oil and gas sector.
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Minimum 2 years’ supervisory, acting, or contractor oversight experience.
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Background working with operators, EPC organisations, subcontractors, vendors, or service companies within the energy industry.
Technical and Business Skills
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Strong knowledge of planning, scheduling, cost control, estimating, change management, procurement, reporting, and related project functions.
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Experience managing business disciplines in large-scale project environments.
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Expertise in international standards and best practices for cost and project controls.
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Subject-matter expertise in cost estimating.
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Familiarity with risk-based decision-making.
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Proficiency with modern digital tools, reporting systems, and data analysis platforms.
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Experience within large, complex operating organisations.