Director of Estimating

Akima

  • Herndon, VA
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 2 days ago
Company Overview:Work Where it MattersAkima 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. Description:We are seeking a strategic and detail-oriented Director of Estimating to lead estimating efforts in support of large-scale Federal IT and technology-centric programs. This role will focus on developing accurate, defensible, and competitive cost estimates and staffing plans for proposals spanning IT modernization, application development, cloud migration, cyber operations, and enterprise technology support.Reporting directly to the Chief Growth Officer, this highly visible position serves as the enterprise subject matter expert on IT cost estimating practices, bringing expertise in translating technical solutions into quantifiable bases of estimate (BOEs), labor models, and pricing strategies. The ideal candidate brings strong analytical skills, deep knowledge of Federal IT service delivery, and proven leadership in competitive proposal environments.We're seeking candidates with a proven track record in Federal acquisition, a knack for nurturing growth opportunities, and a demonstrated ability to deliver tangible results. If you’re ready to make a significant impact and drive our company forward, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey. To join our team of outstanding professionals, apply today! Responsibilities:
  • Lead the development of detailed, compliant, and defensible BOEs and cost models for Federal IT and technology pursuits.
  • Partner with Capture Managers, Solution Architects, and Pricing Managers to ensure estimates reflect technical solutions, risk, and government expectations.
  • Analyze solicitation requirements (RFPs, PWS/SOWs, labor category definitions, workload data) and develop clarifying questions.
  • Build staffing plans and labor mixes aligned with technical architectures, Agile delivery models, service-level agreements (SLAs), and customer mission needs.
  • Translate solution architectures, WBS elements, and performance metrics into quantifiable cost estimates.
  • Serve as the enterprise authority on IT estimating methodologies, cost realism, and competitive pricing approaches.
  • Provide strategic input on price-to-win analyses and integrate estimating results into broader pricing strategies.
  • Participate in proposal kick-offs, color team reviews, and strategy sessions as a core member of the proposal leadership team.
  • Document assumptions, basis of estimates, escalation factors, and risk considerations to ensure traceable and auditable estimating products.
  • Continuously improve estimating tools, templates, and processes to enhance efficiency, scalability, and repeatability in IT-focused bids.
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited university.
  • 10 years of progressive experience in proposal development, estimating, pricing, or cost strategy, with a focus on technology-centric programs.
  • Demonstrated expertise in developing BOEs and staffing plans for IT services such as:
  • Software development and sustainment (Agile/DevSecOps).
  • Cloud services (migration, operations, optimization).
  • Cybersecurity operations and compliance.
  • Enterprise IT infrastructure and help desk support.
  • Strong understanding of FAR/DFARS, cost principles, and Federal procurement practices.
  • Ability to translate complex IT technical solutions into accurate, compliant, and competitive cost models.
  • Proficiency in Excel and cost estimating tools; familiarity with Price-to-Win techniques or Agile estimating approaches preferred.
  • Excellent analytical, communication, and documentation skills.
  • This Hybrid position requires that you live within commuting distance from Herndon, VA
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience supporting proposals under FEDSIM, Alliant, CIO-SP, ITES, or similar IT/technology-focused contract vehicles.
  • Familiarity with Agile estimating practices, cloud cost modeling, or performance-based services estimating.
  • Experience integrating estimating with technical proposal development and pricing narratives.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
Job ID: 2025-18856 Work Type: Hybrid

Akima