Construction Cost Manager

Job Description

Position Summary: The Construction Cost Manager is a project leadership role within the Project Controls and Cost Management function and reports directly to the Project Director and/or Executive Sponsor. This individual is responsible for overall project cost management, including oversight of job cost reporting, forecasting, change management, financial controls, and leadership of a team of 8-15 Cost Engineers.

The ideal candidate has prior project management experience on large-scale industrial processes, advanced manufacturing, semiconductor, data center, pharmaceutical, or other technically complex construction projects and has developed strong cost control and commercial management expertise through real-world project execution. This position requires an individual who can effectively bridge operations and project controls disciplines while serving as a trusted business partner to project leadership.

The Cost Manager serves as the primary cost interface with clients, owners, subcontractors, vendors, and internal project stakeholders and plays a critical role in maintaining project momentum by driving timely commercial decisions, validating subcontractor proposals, and proactively identifying cost risks and opportunities.

This is a key leadership position that partners closely with the Project Director and Executive Leadership Team to support project delivery, financial performance, and client satisfaction. Following successful project completion, candidates may have opportunities to transition into broader Project Management and Operations leadership roles supporting the company's portfolio of commercial, industrial, and advanced manufacturing projects.

This position will be fully in-office and/or located at the project jobsite.

Salary Range: $100,000 to $160,000 DOE + Incentives

Principle Responsibilities:

Cost Management & Reporting

• Establish and maintain project job cost reports, including budgets, commitments, forecasts (EAC), contingencies, allowances, yet-to-buys, and actual costs.
• Oversee monthly cost report preparation, review, and reconciliation prior to internal and external distribution.
• Ensure consistency and accuracy of cost data across all project cost control tools and reports.
• Track and manage costs by bid package, field order, and client-defined change categories.
• Provide executive-level cost analysis, reporting, and recommendations to Project Directors, Executives, and Clients.
• Develop and maintain project-specific cost management procedures and governance standards.

Forecasting & Financial Controls

• Prepare and manage monthly project forecasts (EAC), identifying cost trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Partner closely with Project Managers, Superintendents, and Project Directors to align financial forecasts with field execution plans and project status.
• Lead project-wide cost risk assessments and recommend mitigation and recovery strategies.
• Manage contingency utilization and provide recommendations to optimize financial performance.
• Support executive decision-making through scenario analysis and strategic forecasting.

Change Management & Commercial Leadership

• Lead change order management and validation, including scope review, pricing validation, contractual compliance, and entitlement evaluation.
• Review and approve subcontractor change proposals, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and alignment with contractual requirements.
• Drive timely resolution of commercial issues affecting project cost and schedule.
• Maintain owner and subcontractor change logs and ensure changes are incorporated into forecasts and project financial reporting.
• Support commercial negotiations with owners and trade partners.

Client, Owner, & Trade Partner Interface

• Serve as the primary client-facing cost management representative for all project financial matters.
• Lead financial reviews, cost discussions, and forecasting meetings with owners, consultants, and project stakeholders.
• Work directly with subcontractors, vendors, and consultants to validate pricing, resolve commercial issues, and maintain project progress.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with owners and trade partners while protecting project financial interests.
• Collaborate with project leadership to deliver transparent and proactive financial communication.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 5-10 Cost Engineers and Project Controls professionals.
• Provide oversight and direction regarding cost reporting, forecasting, change management, and commercial processes.
• Establish performance expectations and support professional development of project controls staff.
• Promote consistency, accountability, and best practices across all cost management activities.
• Support project closeout activities, including final cost reconciliation and subcontract closeout.

Project Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as a strategic partner to the Project Director and Executive team in managing overall project performance.
• Collaborate with Operations, Project Management, Construction Management, Procurement, and Project Controls teams.
• Contribute to project execution planning and key business decisions throughout the project lifecycle.
• Leverage prior project management and field experience to provide practical solutions that support successful project delivery.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, Finance, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive construction experience within a general contractor, EPC, or construction management environment.
• Demonstrated project management, project controls, or cost management experience on industrial process facilities, advanced manufacturing, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, mission-critical, data center, energy, or other large complex construction projects.
• Proven experience leading and developing teams of Cost Engineers, Project Controls professionals, or Project Managers.
• Strong understanding of construction cost management, forecasting, change management, project controls, and commercial management principles.
• Experience working directly with clients, owners, Project Directors, Executive Leadership, subcontractors, and trade partners.
• Ability to lead executive-level financial discussions and influence key project decisions.
• Proficiency with cost control and reporting systems (CMiC, Procore, Oracle, Excel, Power BI, Smartsheet and related project controls software).
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance financial controls, client expectations, and operational project delivery.
• Candidate should possess the leadership capability and broader project delivery experience necessary to transition into future Project Management or Operations leadership roles.