What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Estimating (Expat) position at Universal Creative?
While this position is not currently available, we expect it to become vacant at a later date and are beginning sourcing efforts. Although we are not actively recruiting for this role at the moment, we encourage you to send us your resume if you wish to be considered when the opportunity arises. A recruiter will reach out to you should the position open and align with your background and experience.
Job Summary
Generate initial project budget estimates for all projects ranging from new Retail, Restaurants and Attractions Resort Hotels to entirely new Theme Parks. Completes subsequent estimates as the projects progress through design, to compare to budget. Includes management of in-house estimators and contracted estimating firms, both U.S. and Internationally based, for various scopes of work.
Major Responsibilities
Influences decisions of major nature requiring high degree of tact and diplomacy to obtain favorable results. Supervises work of 4 to 6 estimators and/or multiple outside estimating firms, as scope of work requires. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Individual must be capable of presenting their cost estimates to upper management level positions, including Presidents of Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, and President and Chief Operating Officer for Universal Parks & Resorts. In addition, individual will be required to interface with our third-party clients on International projects for large scale Resort and Theme Park developments.
SCOPE
Individual will be responsible for developing detailed estimates to support the submittal and approval process for all major capital projects that are managed by Universal Creative. Projects will range from $5-500 million for individual facilities, hotels, and attractions, and up to $1-2 billion for International Theme Park development. In addition, this individual will be responsible for the development of a comprehensive database from the past projects to assist in the improvement of the accuracy of our project budgeting on all projects.
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineer in related business fields is required. Master’s degree in Construction Management or Business Administration preferred.
Experience
10-15 years’ on-site construction and estimating experience on retail, food, hotel, theme parks and themed entertainment projects, knowledge of show and ride estimating and facility impacts required; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 15-20 years’ on-site construction and estimating experience for owners and/or contractors for in the Resort/Entertainment field of commercial construction; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.
Universal is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Universal Orlando via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Universal Orlando HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Universal Orlando. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Universal Orlando as a result of the referral or through other means.
Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2025 Universal Studios. © 2025 Universal Orlando. All rights reserved. EOE
Job Summary
Generate initial project budget estimates for all projects ranging from new Retail, Restaurants and Attractions Resort Hotels to entirely new Theme Parks. Completes subsequent estimates as the projects progress through design, to compare to budget. Includes management of in-house estimators and contracted estimating firms, both U.S. and Internationally based, for various scopes of work.
Major Responsibilities
- Reviews initial budget estimates for new projects including estimate refinements prepared by the individual project estimators or outside estimating firms.
- Reviews continually evolving design documents and estimates prepared at each stage of the design by the project estimators or outside estimating firms to ensure the projects are tracking on budget. Includes working with project teams located in various cities and countries.
- Performs function of lead estimator for large scopes of work, which requires supervision of in-house or contracted estimating resources, as scope of work indicates.
- Assists project team with contractor change order negotiation on larger scopes.
- Researches market conditions for cost trends and local means and methods (both locally and internationally). Develops location cost factors and escalation factors. Analyze Universal Creative historical costs and disseminate to appropriate year and location. Incorporates current and historic costs into a central database. Develops comparisons for various attractions and non-attraction facilities.
- Develop conceptual Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimates for projects prior to and in Blue Sky Phase to develop initial costs for business unit financial analysis.
- Creates “value engineering” (VE) components with the project team to mitigate cost overruns.
- Understand and actively participate in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Influences decisions of major nature requiring high degree of tact and diplomacy to obtain favorable results. Supervises work of 4 to 6 estimators and/or multiple outside estimating firms, as scope of work requires. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Individual must be capable of presenting their cost estimates to upper management level positions, including Presidents of Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, and President and Chief Operating Officer for Universal Parks & Resorts. In addition, individual will be required to interface with our third-party clients on International projects for large scale Resort and Theme Park developments.
SCOPE
Individual will be responsible for developing detailed estimates to support the submittal and approval process for all major capital projects that are managed by Universal Creative. Projects will range from $5-500 million for individual facilities, hotels, and attractions, and up to $1-2 billion for International Theme Park development. In addition, this individual will be responsible for the development of a comprehensive database from the past projects to assist in the improvement of the accuracy of our project budgeting on all projects.
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineer in related business fields is required. Master’s degree in Construction Management or Business Administration preferred.
Experience
10-15 years’ on-site construction and estimating experience on retail, food, hotel, theme parks and themed entertainment projects, knowledge of show and ride estimating and facility impacts required; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 15-20 years’ on-site construction and estimating experience for owners and/or contractors for in the Resort/Entertainment field of commercial construction; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.
Universal is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Universal Orlando via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Universal Orlando HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Universal Orlando. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Universal Orlando as a result of the referral or through other means.
Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2025 Universal Studios. © 2025 Universal Orlando. All rights reserved. EOE
