Associate Director

Job Title: Associate Director - Senior Electrical Estimator / Cost Manager

Job Description

This role leads conceptual, schematic, and detailed electrical cost estimating for multiple preconstruction projects, with a primary focus on large, high-impact construction programs in sectors such as data centers. The Associate Director partners closely with internal and external stakeholders to shape early-phase budgets, influence cost decisions, and provide clear, reliable cost guidance throughout the project lifecycle. This position is ideal for an experienced electrical estimating professional with deep trades-level knowledge who enjoys working in early project development, supporting complex scopes, and navigating evolving designs while mentoring and developing a growing team.

Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual, schematic, and detailed cost estimates for electrical scopes across multiple preconstruction projects.
• Support the development of project budgets, cost planning, feasibility studies, and value engineering efforts.
• Perform value analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining project quality and performance.
• Conduct QA/QC reviews on estimates and deliverables to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with standards.
• Plan workloads, assign tasks, and manage estimating deliverables across concurrent projects.
• Reconcile change orders, invoices, and cost impacts with general contractors, subcontractors, and third parties.
• Provide post-contract cost support, including bid analysis, change management, and financial tracking of electrical packages.
• Participate in risk and value management evaluations to assess cost exposure and opportunities.
• Mentor and support estimators and estimating technicians, strengthening their technical, procedural, and professional capabilities.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships through clear communication, responsive service, and reliable cost guidance.
• Prepare client-facing reports, milestone estimates, and executive-ready summaries that clearly communicate key cost drivers and risks.
• Engage with internal stakeholders, project controls teams, and leadership to ensure alignment on budgets, assumptions, and strategies.
• Participate in peer reviews and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance estimating processes, tools, and standards.
• Stay informed on local market conditions, construction trends, and industry best practices, and incorporate this knowledge into estimates.
• Collaborate with regional offices and project teams as needed to support large, complex construction programs, particularly in data center markets.

Essential Skills

• 20+ years of experience in electrical estimating from a subcontractor or trades-level background.
• Strong background in conceptual estimating and early project planning for large, complex construction projects.
• Deep technical understanding of electrical scopes, systems, and construction methods.
• Proven experience supporting large, complex construction programs, ideally including data center projects.
• Experience engaging directly with clients, subject matter experts, and Senior leadership, including C-suite stakeholders.
• Ability to read and interpret construction schedules, drawings, and specifications.
• Advanced proficiency with cost estimating methods, tools, and best practices.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills for detailed cost analysis and reporting.
• Proficiency with modern estimating and project tools such as Accubid, Bluebeam, and Procore.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for client-facing and internal reporting.
• Ability to analyze incomplete or evolving design information and provide clear, defensible cost guidance.
• Ability to perform at a high level in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and support junior estimators and technicians.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working within national or global cost consulting or project and cost management environments.
• background in MEP cost management, with a strong emphasis on electrical systems.
• Experience supporting data center or other high-impact, technically complex facilities.
• Comfort operating in a highly collaborative, matrixed environment with regional and cross-functional teams.
• Interest in continuous learning and professional development, leveraging ongoing education platforms and internal review programs.
• Ability to travel occasionally to regional offices or project sites as needed for collaboration and client engagement.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of New York, NY.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $67.31 - $100.96/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.