Chief Estimator

Title: Chief Estimator

Location: Lafayette, IN

Full time

Job Description:

What we offer

Explore a world of opportunities with us. Look ahead with us and help shape innovative solutions to make our world more sustainable and life healthier, more vibrant and more comfortable. At Evonik, you have the chance to explore, thrive, and grow alongside 33,000 colleagues. Among attractive career paths and high-quality development programs, we not only offer performance-based remuneration and occupational health benefits but also hybrid and flexible working environments with #SmartWork. Bring your fresh perspective, develop your strengths, break out your mold, and find a career that fits your dreams with us.

Leads estimate methodology/consistency across disciplines and packages; validates vendor quotes; sets contingency and MR methodology. Operates as owner-representative to define, specify, steer, and manage work by others (EPC/EPCM/contractors) in accordance with Evonik practices and project-specific requirements on Project Ascent – Tippecanoe (Lafayette, IN).

Key Responsibilities

• Lead project estimating strategy, methodology, and governance across FEL and execution phases.
• Develop, review, and validate project cost estimates to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with project scope.
• Benchmark estimates, evaluate discipline inputs, and normalize vendor quotations and assumptions.
• Establish contingency and management reserve approaches based on project risks and opportunities.
• Prepare and maintain Estimate Basis documentation and support quantity growth tracking between project phases.
• Coordinate scope definition and deliverables, ensuring contractors align with project standards, interfaces, and requirements.
• Maintain and drive closure of project action, issue, and risk registers with clear accountability.
• Support project gate reviews by developing estimates, schedules, reporting packages, and key project metrics.
• Present estimate reviews, recommendations, and approval packages to project leadership and stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with project management, engineering, procurement, construction, and external EPC/EPCM partners to ensure successful project delivery.

Requirements

• 12+ years of progressive experience in project estimating, including leadership of large capital projects.
• Strong construction estimating background with expertise in work package development and cost control.
• Demonstrated experience working with EPC/EPCM contractors, vendors, and benchmarking methodologies.
• Proven ability to develop, review, and govern complex project estimates across multiple disciplines.
• Strong understanding of project execution phases, cost estimation best practices, and risk-based contingency development.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills with the ability to influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Experience leading estimate reviews, presentations, and executive-level approval processes.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and rigorous documentation practices.
• Proficiency in managing action logs, risk registers, estimate basis documents, and project controls deliverables.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field preferred.

The Evonik Group adopts an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) approach.  Candidates are assessed based on their educational qualifications, experience, job competencies and potential and shall not be discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, nationality, disability or sexual orientation or other classifications protected by local, state, or provincial regulations.