Head of Cost Estimation

Head of Cost Estimation - Prefab Construction (Civil / Civil & MEP)

Department: Estimation / TenderingLocation: IITM RP, Taramani, Chennai

Role Overview

Are you ready to lead and redefine the future of construction costing? We are building the "IKEA for steel construction," and we're looking for a Head of Estimation to architect and own our entire cost intelligence function.This is not just an estimation role-it is a strategic leadership position responsible for building scalable costing systems, driving competitive advantage, and ensuring we consistently win projects through precision, speed, and insight.You will lead the end-to-end estimation ecosystem across Civil and MEP for prefab construction, develop automated and data-driven costing frameworks, and build a high-performance team aligned with our mission to industrialize construction.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Cost LeadershipOwn and drive the complete estimation function across all projects and tenders.Define costing strategies that balance competitiveness, accuracy, and profitability.Establish estimation as a core strategic advantage for the organization.2. End-to-End Cost Estimation (Civil & MEP)Oversee preparation, validation, and finalization of detailed cost estimates for Civil and MEP systems.Ensure all estimates are accurate, compliant, and aligned with project specifications.Lead pre- and post-tender evaluations to improve bid success rates.3. Rate Intelligence & Cost DatabaseBuild and maintain a centralized, dynamic cost database across materials, labor, and systems.Institutionalize structured rate analysis frameworks across all components.Leverage historical data to continuously improve estimation accuracy and benchmarking.4. Stakeholder & Business AlignmentPartner with leadership to support strategic bidding decisions and pricing strategies.Collaborate with design, engineering, procurement, and execution teams to ensure data accuracy.Engage with clients to clarify scope, optimize costs, and deliver value-engineered solutions.6. Team Leadership & Capability BuildingBuild, lead, and mentor a high-performance estimation team.Set benchmarks for quality, speed, and ownership within the team.Develop internal capabilities in automation, analytics, and advanced estimation practices.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, or related field. Experience

3-8+ years of experience in cost estimation with strong exposure to Civil works (MEP experience is an added advantage).Significant exposure to prefab/modular construction.Proven track record of leading estimation teams and delivering winning bids.

Technical Expertise

Advanced proficiency in estimation tools (CostX, Bluebeam, etc.) and Excel/Google Sheets.Strong experience in building cost databases and automation workflows.

Leadership & Mindset

High ownership and "company-first" mindset.Strong analytical thinking with attention to detail and speed.Ability to operate in high-pressure environments with clarity and decisiveness.Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

Why This Role Matters

You will be the brain behind every number we quote-directly impacting our ability to win projects, scale operations, and build a category-defining company.This is a role for someone who doesn't just estimate costs-but builds systems, teams, and strategies that scale.