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Senior Director, Estimating

Akima

Today
Public Trust
Unspecified
Unspecified
Business - Sales
Huntsville, AL (On-Site/Office)

We are seeking a seasoned and strategic Senior Director of Estimating to lead our estimating function in support of large-scale Base Operations Support (BOS), Facility Services, and Ground-Based Logistics programs for U.S. Federal Civilian and DoD customers. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Business Development, this critical role drives the development of accurate, defensible, and competitive cost estimates across all proposal efforts.

This leader brings deep expertise in government estimating practices, cost modeling, and Basis of Estimate (BOE) development, and will oversee a team of estimators and analysts. The ideal candidate is a collaborative strategist and detail-oriented practitioner, able to synthesize technical inputs, historical performance, workload data, and regulatory compliance into winning cost narratives and pricing solutions.

Responsibilities

  • Lead, mentor, and manage a team of estimators responsible for developing detailed and fully compliant BOE documentation.
  • Serve as the organization's subject matter expert on estimating methodologies, cost realism, and pricing strategy.
  • Collaborate closely with Capture Managers, Pricing Managers, and technical SMEs to ensure estimates reflect a comprehensive understanding of scope, risk, and government expectations.
  • Analyze solicitation documents (RFP, SOW, PWS, workload data, and attachments) to extract estimating requirements and develop clarifying questions.
  • Construct defensible estimates using a combination of historical data, parametric models, industry benchmarks, and expert judgment.
  • Develop BOEs that are quantifiable, traceable, and auditable - suitable for cost narrative alignment and compliant with FAR/DFARS and internal cost estimating standards.
  • Drive development of competitive labor mix and staffing models based on mission performance requirements and cost constraints.
  • Participate in color team reviews, proposal kick-offs, and strategy sessions as a core member of the proposal leadership team.
  • Ensure consistency and quality of estimating outputs, including proper documentation of assumptions, escalation factors, workload calculations, and risk-based adjustments.
  • Continuously improve estimating tools, templates, and processes to enhance efficiency, repeatability, and quality.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Operations Research, Business, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 12 years of experience in government cost estimating, with at least 5 years in a leadership role overseeing estimating teams.
  • Demonstrated expertise in preparing cost estimates and BOEs for a range of services, including:
    • Facilities maintenance and repair (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, painting, roofing, janitorial, food service, etc.)
    • Base operations and logistics (supply chain, fleet maintenance, grounds, etc.)
  • Strong understanding of federal acquisition regulations (FAR, DFARS) and cost principles.
  • Proven ability to translate technical and operational requirements into detailed and compliant BOEs.
  • Deep familiarity with federal cost proposal requirements, WBS/OBS structures, and pricing narratives.
  • Exceptional analytical, documentation, and communication skills.
  • Proficiency in Excel and cost estimating tools; familiarity with RSMeans, ProPricer, Price-to-Win tools, or similar platforms preferred.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience supporting proposals under LOGCAP, BOS, EAGLE, or similar large-scale logistics/facility services IDIQs.
  • Experience integrating estimating with pricing strategy and technical proposal development.
  • Exposure to Agile estimating practices or model-based estimation in evolving mission environments.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Job ID

2025-17988
Work Type

Remote
Pay Range

$170,000 - $195,000
Benefits

Regular - The company offers a comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) and a range of other voluntary benefits. Paid Time Off (PTO) is offered to regular full-time and part-time employees.
Company Description



Work Where it Matters

Akima is not just another global enterprise and federal contractor. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), our mission and purpose extend beyond our exciting federal projects as we support our shareholder communities in Alaska.

At Akima, the work you do every day makes a difference in the lives of our 15,000 Iñupiat shareholders, a group of Alaska natives from one of the most remote and harshest environments in the United States.

For our shareholders, Akima provides support and employment opportunities and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years.

For our government customers, Akima delivers agile solutions in the core areas of facilities, maintenance, and repair; information technology; logistics; protective services; systems engineering; mission support; furniture, fixtures & equipment (FF&E); and construction.

As an Akima employee, you will be surrounded by a challenging, yet supportive work environment that is committed to innovation and diversity, two of our most important values. You will also have access to our comprehensive benefits and competitive pay in addition to growth opportunities and excellent retirement options.
group id: 10119288

Be part of something bigger. With Akima, you’ll enjoy the agility and autonomy of working for a small business, while also being supported by an enterprise over 10,000 employees strong. Career growth and opportunity? Look no further.

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About Us
Akima is a global enterprise with 10,000 employees, delivering solutions to the federal government in the core areas of information technology; facilities & ground logistics; aerospace solutions; protective services; systems engineering; mission support; furniture, fixtures & equipment (FF&E); and construction. As a subsidiary of NANA, an Alaska Native Corporation owned by more than 15,000 Iñupiat shareholders, Akima’s core mission is to enable superior outcomes for our customers’ missions while simultaneously creating a long-lived asset for NANA consistent with our Iñupiat values. In 2024, Akima ranked #29 on Washington Technology’s Top 100 list of government contractors.
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Job Category
Business - Sales
Clearance Level
Public Trust
Employer
Akima