Sr. Tech Specialist - Cost Estimation

Overview

Senior Technical Specialist in Project Services responsible for project cost estimation, technical leadership of the TAS-Project Services team, and cost assurance across the project lifecycle, supporting Shell partners in Downstream, Integrated Gas and New Energies, Upstream and corporate functions.

What you'll do

• Support technical competency development of the TAS-Project Services team, coaching and mentoring staff on cost estimating, industry best practices, equipment, processes, digitalization and tools, and soft skills such as stakeholder engagement, communication and continuous improvement.
• Act as focal or function lead for project services cost estimation and support TAS-PS frontliners on their deliverables.
• Develop estimate basis and plan detailing how the estimate will be developed.
• Prepare cost estimates at various stages of project maturity (Concept to Execution) using approved methodologies, historical data, benchmarks and cost models.
• Apply the appropriate estimate classification and accuracy range, and ensure estimates are aligned with defined scope, execution strategy and schedule.
• Support estimate reviews, validations and assurance activities.
• Develop benchmarking packages to check estimate results top-down against internal and external comparable data, and work with IPA forms and reports to compare Shell projects to industry datasets.
• Utilize the TECOP profile to establish appropriate deterministic cost contingency.
• Incorporate project complexity factors into estimates and assemble key input data such as project objectives, scope and execution plan.
• Assess prospect scope and develop consistent estimates ranging from Type 0 to Type 4.
• Support Project Leads in controlling the program portfolio and/or specific projects, providing data analysis, early warnings and key opportunities to support timely decisions.
• Benchmark against historical performance, industry norms and established KPIs, and work with project teams to collect, normalize and use actual cost performance data.
• Analyse change management trends and highlight potential impacts of changes on schedule and key milestones.
• Update and maintain project/portfolio dashboards, including automation of reports and integration with existing tools.
• Arrange estimate kick-off and estimate review meetings with stakeholders, and update SharePoint with estimates and benchmark data.
• Provide technical steer to frontliner staff for assigned work streams, and enable the use of automation, digitalization and supporting IT tools.
• Support the TAS Deployment and Capability Leads in managing accounts, migrations and QA/QC activities.
• Ensure activities comply with Shell's policies and standards, including data privacy, Code of Conduct, HSSE&SP, DEP, ORS, PMF and AMS processes.

What you'll need

• University degree in Engineering and/or certification as Project Services Manager/Lead or equivalent.
• At least 10 years of work experience in Project Services in Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals or equivalent industries.
• Strong experience in brownfield projects across the stages from Concepts to Execution.
• Solid hands-on experience in Project Controls, Scheduling, Cost Engineering, Cost Estimating, Project Management and other aspects of Project Services.
• Experience of implementing changes and continuous improvement projects.
• Able to demonstrate in-depth technical knowledge and required skill sets for the role.
• Able to proactively manage stakeholder expectations and experience working across different cultures.

Nice to have

• Level 1 Estimation capability.
• Strong skills in Excel and experience in estimation tools such as ASPEN TECH and CCET.
• Certification in Project Management from PMI or IPMA.

Details

• Location: Shell Centre, Chennai; role supports remotely from Chennai, Kuala Lumpur or Manila.
• Employment type: Regular.
• Behavioural expectations: self-starter who takes initiative and works without close supervision, strong at prioritization and managing conflicting priorities, resilient under pressure.