Sr Manager Estimating - Closing Date: 12 March 2026

Job ID:   260127

Department Marketing Statement

Do you want to have a lasting impact on connecting communities in the Washington, DC region? Metro's Capital Delivery, Infrastructure Department is recruiting a Senior Manager, Project Estimating to lead a diversified team of cost estimators responsible for developing various types of estimates for capital projects that support our $2.0B annual Capital Improvement Program portfolio.

This senior-level role interacts extensively with internal and external WMATA stakeholders to ensure the development of realistic project estimates for various project phases. The position is also responsible for reviewing consultants, estimates, determining appropriate allowances and contingencies, performing Independent Cost Estimates (ICE) for construction change requests, and supporting Contracting Officers in negotiating those change requests. Furthermore, the Senior Estimating Manager works closely with the Scheduling Manager to develop total project implementation cost and schedule.

The position reports to the Senior Program Manager, Estimation & Scheduling. This role provides guidance and assigns estimating work to the team to ensure high-quality and timely delivery. Additionally, the Senior Estimating Manager delivers clear, concise executive-level reporting, resolves conflicts, develops actionable solutions, and oversees the preparation of guidance documents and presentations. Technical knowledge of construction methods, typical direct cost and productivity of different construction crews, site overhead cost, and various markup costs is required. The Senior Estimating Manager advises on construction industry's best practices, emerging trends, and project risks, and supports the successful implementation of the Capital Program.

Metro projects include both new construction and rehabilitation of existing facilities, such as tracks, bridges, utilities, communications systems, maintenance yards, parking facilities, and office buildings. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in heavy construction, transportation, or transit.

Bring your extensive background in construction cost estimating and management and join our team as we tackle Metro¿s largest capital improvement program.

WMATA offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and life insurance; paid holidays; annual and sick leave; a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and 401(a) Plan; tuition reimbursement; flexible spending accounts; and free transportation on Metrobus and Metrorail.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Construction, Technology or related field.
• In lieu of a bachelor's degree a High School Diploma/GED or a post high school training or certification (e.g. PMP certification) related to project management and four (4) years of construction experience in infrastructure projects, in addition to the experience stated below, will be considered.

Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the construction industry, to include at least five (5) years of experience in the administration and supervision of cost estimating staff.
• Demonstrated estimating experience on a series of large and complex construction projects.

Certification/Licensure

• N/A

Preferred

• AACE Certification (Certified Estimating Professional or similar)
• Project Management Certification (PMP or similar)
• Experience in Infrastructure ¿ Transit construction

Medical Group

Satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position, if required. The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations.

Job Summary

The Senior Manager, Project Estimating is responsible for managing a staff of engineers and construction professionals engaged in preparing independent cost estimates and establishing integrated total project cost and schedule estimates. The incumbent is responsible for implementing and enforcing WMATA procedures, standards and guidelines for independent cost estimates, and for developing and implementing departmental procedures, standards, and guidelines for integrated total project cost and schedule development. This position leads the performance of a technical staff, manages team deliverables, performs gap analysis, implements process improvements, and presents reports for managers, directors and stakeholders.

Essential Functions

• Manages and provides guidance to the estimating and cost analysis staff including the establishment and maintenance of estimating and cost analysis procedures and standards.
• Reviews basis of estimates, assumptions, productivity rates, cost analyses, and estimates prepared by staff, project and asset owner offices and their outside consultants to ensure that the work products reasonably reflect the planned work, including WMATA¿s regulatory and safety requirements. Provides, as required, consultative services to contract negotiating teams prior to and during negotiations with vendors.
• Leads the delivery of construction and total project cost estimating services for a wide group of stakeholders in support of project and program procurement, planning and execution. Stakeholders include offices throughout WMATA and occasionally outside projects under adjacent construction.
• Champions the use of accepted industry standards and guidelines for estimating work throughout the construction project lifecycle.
• Optimizes staff efficiency and the quality of the work product by facilitating the automation of the estimating processes within the limits of the resources available.
• Manages the update and enhancement of the processes required to provide timely and intelligent reporting on cost estimating workload and related performance KPIs.
• Identify risk issues and their order of magnitude.
• Maintains and communicates data on construction and material cost trends affecting project costs.
• Serves as a vital resource on construction project procurement, implementation and change management activities, predicting and controlling costs and providing the basis of WMATA¿s position on negotiations for construction and engineering contracts.
• Facilitates staff training related to construction industry costing trends and practices to ensure the estimating and cost engineering staff maintains state-of-the-art knowledge and capabilities in areas relevant to their assigned responsibilities.
• Meets regularly with WMATA project teams and stays well informed about upcoming project needs for estimating support.
• Works with asset owner program offices to support long term capital cost estimates for development of their state of good repair programs.
• Establishes and maintains a standard of documenting and sharing lessons learned for continuous improvement.
• Develops and delivers training to project, procurement, engineering and maintenance offices on project cost estimating and cost and price analysis.

Other Functions

• May develop and maintain a cost estimating information system including, a centralized database or a full range of construction and engineering functions within the WMATA Transportation System. May establish, publish, and or maintain WMATA-wide standards and guidelines for the preparation of project estimates and cost and price analyses.
• May coordinate, as needed, with the Office of Inspector General and the Office of Procurement to ensure that estimating policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines are in conformance with regulatory and internal requirements.
• May act in the role Technical Resource (COTR) or task manager on a given procurement contract.

Evaluation Criteria

Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment
• Personal interview
• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
• Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)
• Review of a current motor vehicle report

Closing

WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.