Job Title: Head of Cost Estimating
Location: Onshore Project Site, Qatar
Contract Type: Fixed-Term Contract
Contract Duration: 36 Months
Work Schedule: 8 to 10 hours per day, 6 days per week (approximately 26 days per month)
Rotation: 12 weeks on, 2 weeks off
Overview
An international energy operator is seeking an experienced Head of Cost Estimating to support a large-scale onshore oil and gas development project. This role will lead cost estimating and cost management activities across the project lifecycle, ensuring robust financial planning, forecasting and reporting processes are in place.
The successful candidate will provide expert advice on cost estimating, budgeting and cost control while supporting project leadership with accurate financial insights. This is a key position within the project controls function, contributing to the successful delivery of a major capital project.
Key Responsibilities
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Provide expert guidance on cost estimating, forecasting, cost control, allocation and financial reporting throughout the project lifecycle
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Develop cost planning models and cost management strategies to support project execution and financial oversight
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Lead preparation of project funding submissions and ensure alignment between project forecasts and approved budgets
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Develop and maintain benchmarking databases covering productivity, manhours and cost performance metrics
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Prepare and review cost estimates for project activities including evaluation of contractor change orders and claims
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Develop project cost forecasts and support the preparation of annual work programmes and budgets
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Conduct probabilistic cost risk analysis to determine appropriate contingency levels and estimate accuracy ranges
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Monitor contractor and project cost performance against agreed control plans and recommend corrective actions where required
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Support project leadership by identifying potential cost risks early and recommending mitigation strategies
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Ensure project commitments and change orders align with approved budgets and internal approval processes
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Support tender evaluation activities during project procurement phases, including preparation of technical evaluation reports
Requirements
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Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Project Management, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Mathematics, Statistics or a related discipline
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Minimum 10 years of experience in a business or project-related discipline
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At least 6 years of experience within the oil and gas industry
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Previous experience in a supervisory, coordination or contractor oversight role
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Proven experience delivering cost estimating services for large onshore oil and gas FEED and EPC projects
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Strong experience preparing Class 1 to Class 5 cost estimates and performing cost risk analysis and benchmarking
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Extensive knowledge of CAPEX and OPEX cost structures and total installed cost methodologies
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Strong understanding of estimating norms, productivity ratios, unit rates and work breakdown structures
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Experience supporting cost modelling for brownfield projects, shutdown activities and complex project environments
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Experience working with EPC contractors, subcontractors and service providers within major capital projects
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Professional certification in cost engineering or a related discipline is advantageous