Senior Cost Estimator

  • Jones Lang LaSalle
  • Chicago, Illinois
  • Full Time

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way .

Our people at JLL and JLL Technologies are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether youve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or youre looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.

What this job involves:

As a Senior Cost Estimator at JLL, you will play a critical role supporting our large financial services client with their extensive retail portfolio. This position requires strong analytical skills and industry expertise to deliver accurate cost projections and analyses across a nationwide portfolio. You'll collaborate with multiple stakeholders while developing comprehensive cost estimates for retail construction, renovation, and maintenance projects, ensuring our client has the financial intelligence needed to make strategic decisions about their retail footprint and capital investments.

What your day-to-day will look like:
  • Develop comprehensive cost estimates for retail construction, renovation, and maintenance projects across the client's nationwide portfolio
  • Benchmark costs across different markets and property types to establish reliable cost metrics and standards
  • Track, document, and analyze vendor pricing fluctuations and cost increases to maintain current cost databases
  • Create and maintain financial models for new retail programs and initiatives
  • Collaborate with project managers, vendors, and client representatives to ensure accuracy of estimates
  • Review contractor proposals and provide variance analyses between estimates and actual bids
  • Support budget development and capital planning processes while identifying cost-saving opportunities
Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field
  • 7+ years of experience in construction cost estimating, preferably with retail projects
  • Proficiency in estimating software and advanced Excel modeling
  • Strong analytical skills with attention to detail and ability to present complex financial information clearly
  • Knowledge of construction methods, materials, and industry standards
  • Understanding of retail space requirements and financial institution specifications
  • Expert-level proficiency in cost estimating software (e.g., Sage Estimating, WinEst, Bluebeam)
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience supporting financial services clients
  • Professional certification (CPE, CCE, or similar)
  • Experience with retail banking environments and sustainability practices
  • Knowledge of value engineering techniques and capital planning processes
  • Experience with cost benchmarking across multiple markets
  • Ability to customize estimating software for financial services retail projects
Location:

New York, NY or Chicago, IL (Onsite)

Occasional travel (up to 20%) may be required to visit project sites

Estimated total compensation for this position:

103,000.00 160,000.00 USD per year

The total compensation range is an estimate and not guaranteed. An employment offer is based on an applicant's education, experience, skills, abilities, geographic location, internal equity and alignment with market data .

Location:

On-site Chicago, IL, New York, NY

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you dont meet all the requirements. Were interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!

Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth:

JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits may include:

  • 401(k) plan with matching company contributions

  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care

  • Paid parental leave at 100% of salary

  • Paid Time Off and Company Holidays

JLL Privacy Notice

Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services. We take our responsibility to protect the personal information provided to us seriously. Generally the personal information we collect from you are for the purposes of processing in connection with JLLs recruitment process. We endeavour to keep your personal information secure with appropriate level of security and keep for as long as we need it for legitimate business or legal reasons. We will then delete it safely and securely.

For more information about how JLL processes your personal data, please view our Candidate Privacy Statement .

For additional details please see our career site pages for each country.

For candidates in the United States, please see a full copy of our Equal Employment Opportunity policy here .

Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process including the online application and/or overall selection process you may email us at accomodationrequest@am.jll.com . This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for JLL.

Pursuant to the Arizona Civil Rights Act, criminal convictions are not an absolute bar to employment.

Pursuant to Illinois Law, applicants are not obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest.

Pursuant to Columbia, SC ordinance, this position is subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.

California Residents only

If you are a California resident as defined in the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) please view our Supplemental Privacy Statement which describes your rights and disclosures about your personal information. If you are viewing this on a mobile device you may want to view the CCPA version on a larger device.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, JLL will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Accepting applications on an ongoing basis until candidate identified.

Job ID: 489882838
Originally Posted on: 8/18/2025

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