Lead, Estimator
Royal Caribbean Group · Miami
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Position Summary:
The Lead, Estimator will support the Solutions team by developing accurate, reliable, and data-driven cost estimates for fleet modernization initiatives, revitalization projects, dry docks, and refurbishment programs. This role will be responsible for establishing and maintaining estimating processes, tools, and cost databases that improve budget development, forecasting accuracy, and project planning.
The Lead, Cost Estimator will partner closely with project teams, technical stakeholders, vendors, shipyards, and external partners to evaluate scope requirements, identify cost drivers, and provide financial insights throughout the project lifecycle. This role will support decision-making by analyzing historical data, market trends, project requirements, and execution assumptions to develop comprehensive cost models and recommendations.
The ideal candidate brings strong estimating experience, analytical capability, and a deep understanding of construction, refurbishment, or complex project environments. This individual must be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously while driving consistency, accuracy, and continuous improvement within the estimating discipline.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Drive the development and continuous improvement of estimating processes, methodologies, tools, and cost databases supporting fleet modernization, revitalization, and dry dock projects.
- Develop detailed cost estimates, budgets, forecasts, and financial models based on project scope, specifications, schedules, drawings, vendor information, and historical cost data.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to review project requirements, validate assumptions, evaluate alternatives, and identify cost impacts throughout project development and execution.
- Analyze shipyard, contractor, and vendor proposals to support cost validation, benchmarking, and decision-making.
- Review architectural, technical, and construction documentation to determine quantities, materials, labor requirements, timelines, and cost considerations.
- Track and analyze cost trends, project performance, estimate accuracy, and lessons learned to enhance future forecasting capabilities.
- Maintain cost databases, benchmarks, and reporting tools to provide visibility into historical spend and support future project planning.
- Support budget development activities by providing cost scenarios, risk analysis, and recommendations.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners to identify opportunities for cost optimization and process improvements.
- Prepare executive-level summaries, reports, and presentations highlighting cost assumptions, risks, opportunities, and recommendations.
- Balance multiple projects across various ships, locations, vendors, and timelines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
- Travel as required to support ship visits, dry docks, vendors, and project execution activities.
Qualifications & Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Finance, or related field.
- 7+ years of experience in cost estimating, project controls, construction, shipbuilding, refurbishment, capital projects, or related project environments.
- Experience developing estimates from conceptual planning through execution phases.
- Strong understanding of construction methods, materials, labor, scheduling, cost drivers, and project lifecycle management.
- Experience reviewing technical drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and contractor/vendor proposals.
- Advanced analytical skills with experience building cost models, budgets, forecasts, and reporting tools.
- Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel; experience with estimating software, project management systems, AutoCAD, Power BI, or similar tools preferred.
- Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams, vendors, contractors, and leadership stakeholders.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to translate technical and financial information into actionable insights.
- Highly organized with the ability to prioritize competing demands across multiple projects.
- Demonstrates ownership, accountability, attention to detail, and a continuous improvement mindset.
- Shipbuilding, maritime, hospitality, construction, or large-scale renovation experience preferred.
- This position may require travel to and from ships, shipyards, and/or vendor facilities located in Europe, Asia, and North America (≤ 25%).
Physical Demands
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
- The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employees’ encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. The work environment is inside the office.
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