Senior Project Controls Lead Estimator
Location: Dublin / Cork, Ireland (Life Sciences) | Arcadis
Arcadis is a global leader in sustainable design, engineering and consultancy for natural and built assets, with 36,000+ professionals across 70+ countries. In Ireland, Arcadis DPS Group (ADPS) delivers Project Management, Multi‑Discipline Design and Construction Management for Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences facilities across Ireland and Europe.
We are seeking a Senior Project Controls Lead / Estimator to strengthen our ADPS Project Controls & Estimating capability across Life Sciences capital programmes. This senior practitioner role provides estimating leadership and project controls oversight, governing capital cost control and estimates on complex Life Sciences projects in both client‑side (Owner) and EPCM environments.
You will support investment decisions and drive cost certainty and capital efficiency from early feasibility and business case through design, execution, CQV and close‑out in regulated facilities. You’ll create and assure robust, defensible cost strategies and estimates that underpin cost management through design, construction and hand‑over.
This role suits someone who can challenge and influence outcomes with commercial rigour and strong stakeholder management in both Owner’s and EPCM teams. Reporting to: Director Project Controls (Ireland).
Key Responsibilities
Lead preparation and ownership of capital cost estimates, with clear basis, assumptions, benchmarking, risk narrative and documentation using standard tools/templates.
Ensure estimates provide a reliable baseline for budget control through detailed engineering, construction and hand‑over.
Deliver peer reviews and quality checks to maintain standards and compliance with company expectations.
Act as a trusted advisor to clients, reviewing and challenging third‑party consultant/contractor estimates to improve transparency, accuracy and cost certainty (scope, assumptions, exclusions and risk).
Collaborate with engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning to ensure estimates reflect execution strategy, interfaces and project risks.
Contribute to project meetings, lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives.
Partner with Project Controls colleagues to strengthen cost management practices and contribute to control processes and reporting as needed.
Support the broader controls framework (WBS alignment, cost‑schedule interfaces, and early warning/corrective action) as required by the programme.
Mentor and develop estimators, supporting training and capability uplift across the team.
Essential Experience & Skills
Strong estimating experience in Life Sciences (pharma/biopharma/life science facilities) with the ability to build estimates from drawings, models, sketches and limited early phase information.
Demonstrable experience operating in both client‑side (Owner) environments (estimate assurance/governance) and EPCM settings (integrated delivery with multi‑discipline teams).
High technical competence across CSA, M&E, Process, Automation & Controls sufficient to prepare and review detailed estimates.
Strong Excel capability and comfort working with standardised templates, narratives, benchmarking and data management.
Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and organisational skills; able to manage priorities independently in a fast‑paced environment.
Qualifications
Degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying or related discipline with the appropriate years of experience.
Professional Accreditation (or progress towards) is advantageous.
Experience working in other European countries is a distinct advantage.
Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
We’re dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. Through six ED&I workstreams—Age, Disability, Faith, Gender, LGBT+, and Race—we foster innovation by bringing together diverse perspectives. Together, we improve quality of life while building a more inclusive future.
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