Job Description

Procurement Cost Estimator - Department of State

The Position:

We are looking for eager, driven candidates with experience in people management, communication, facilitation, problem-solving, and analysis to guide our teams in developing impactful solutions for our Federal clients at the Department of State. The Procurement Cost Estimator will play a key role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of budget estimates, reviewing and validating vendor cost proposals, and supporting the management of budgets. Initially this individual will work on IT products and services but is likely to expand to other types of procurements. Some of your key responsibilities may include:

Cost Estimation & Analysis:

• Building out Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs) for most procurements and internal analyses. 
• Conduct cost estimations and provide recommendations for various projects within the scope of the federal government client’s initiatives.
• Analyze cost proposals, vendor estimates, and budget reports to assess their accuracy, completeness, and reasonableness.
• Ensure cost data aligns with project objectives and operational goals.

Vendor Cost Review & Evaluation:

• Review vendor cost estimates, perform a “gut check” on proposed prices, and evaluate them against market benchmarks.
• Work closely with vendors and internal teams to clarify pricing structures and ensure costs reflect appropriate scope, quality, and industry standards.

Budget Support:

• Support the development, monitoring, and management of budgets by providing cost estimates for goods and services (ie. hardware and software)
• Assist in identifying and addressing potential cost overruns and provide strategic solutions to stay within budgetary constraints.

Reporting & Documentation:

• Prepare cost analysis reports, provide insights on financial trends, and make recommendations for cost-effective approaches.
• Ensure all cost estimates are well-documented and transparent for internal stakeholders and government clients.

Collaboration & Consultation:

• Work closely with internal teams (e.g., project managers, finance, procurement) to align cost estimations with project timelines, goals, and resources.
• Engage in consultations with senior leadership to review cost management strategies and make adjustments based on feedback.

The Ideal Candidate: 

At Censeo, we are looking for unique candidates whose passion and enthusiasm will help shape Censeo’s client insights and workplace culture. Our staff have a wide range of backgrounds, areas of expertise, personality types, and favorite breakfast foods. Our client and cultural successes are rooted in our team’s innovation, creative problem solving, and collaboration. The unique perspective that you bring and the way you tackle problems are much more important to us than what’s printed on your diploma. Some of the core qualifications for the role include:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• Master’s degree or certifications in cost estimation, project management, or related areas preferred.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience years of professional experience as a cost estimator, financial analyst, or a similar role, preferably in a government or large-scale project environment.
• Experience at the Department of State strongly preferred. 
• Experience in IT procurement and IT cost estimation and price evaluation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to perform detailed cost analysis and provide actionable recommendations to project stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively present findings and collaborate with stakeholders.
• Understanding of federal government procurement processes, budget structures, and financial compliance regulations.

Preferred certifications:

• CFCM (Certified Federal Contract Manager)
• CCEA (Certified Cost Estimator/Analyst)
• CGFM (Certified Government Financial Manager)
• DAWIA Cost Estimating Certification (Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act)

The Company:

Censeo Consulting Group is a top Washington D.C. based management consulting firm dedicated to helping public sector and non-profit clients build operational excellence, deliver better outcomes, and lower cost. We take a personalized approach to strategic consulting to solve our clients’ most complex problems and build operational excellence that transforms their organizations, allowing them to better deliver on their public and social missions. 

At Censeo, our award-winning culture means you’ll join a tight-knit community of 95 brilliant and passionate colleagues. We are advocates for a better functioning public sector, and we’re also good friends who know the names of each other’s dogs. Our philosophy is horizontal, not hierarchical, and our open-door policy encourages a culture of entrepreneurship at all levels. We share successes, make decisions together, and foster an environment for those with passion and initiative to lead. Our colleagues bring their own unique personalities to work every day and use them to help shape our growing firm in ways that reach far beyond client projects. 

The Location :

Censeo Consulting Group is based in Washington D.C., a fantastic city for working professionals. We work in a hybrid setting with flexibility to work from home and work in our office conveniently located in the heart of downtown, just a few blocks away from the White House. And with many of our clients also based in D.C., we have the luxury of leaving for a meeting and being back in the office in time for post-work happy hours, team dinners, and game nights.

The Fine Print:

• The salary range for this role is $120,000 - $160,000 depending on experience
• Expected travel 0-10%; may increase based on business needs 
• This is an exempt, full-time position
• This role is subject to an in-person work schedule in Washington, D.C. with the possibility for hybrid work
• Essential Physical Functions
  • Sitting: Particularly for sustained periods of time
  • Light Carrying: Physically transporting items weighing less than 15 pounds from one location to another

Censeo offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including paid vacation and sick leave, flexible and remote work opportunities, and tuition and training reimbursement. More information on our benefits and perks can be found at  

Censeo is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal opportunity to all applicants and employees in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, gender, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other class protected by applicable state or federal law. 

Join Our Award-Winning Culture!
Our passion wins awards. But don’t just take it from us… 

• 2024 Vault #41 Consulting 50 North America
• 2024 Vault #7 Best Consulting Firm for Hours in the Office
• 2023 Vault #9 Best Consulting Firm for Work/Life Balance 
• 2023 Vault #23 Best Consulting Firm for Overall Diversity
• 2023 Management Consulted #3 Best Boutique Firms in Washington DC
• 2022 Vault #41 Best Overall Consulting Firm to Work For
• 2020 Vault #21 Best Boutique Consulting Firm 
• 2019 Ivy Exec #7 Best Boutique Consulting Firm 
• 2018 Consulting Magazine Best Small Firms to Work For  
• 2017 Vault #12 Best Boutique Consulting Firm 
• 2016 Forbes Best Management Consulting Firms in America 
• 2015 Washington Business Journal’s Philanthropy List 

Job Tags

Full time, Contract work, Remote job, Work from home, Flexible hours, Night shift,

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