Cost Manager, Mission Critical

ARCO/Murray National Construction•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Cost Manager oversees project cost management and financial controls for complex construction projects from preconstruction through closeout. The role partners with Project Managers, Superintendents, Preconstruction, Finance, subcontractors, vendors, and clients to establish budgets, monitor performance, forecast final costs, identify risks, and support project decisions. The position requires strong construction cost-control experience and the ability to translate financial information into clear, actionable guidance for project leadership. The role establishes and maintains project budgets, cost codes, work breakdown structures, and cost-control procedures; tracks commitments, actual costs, accruals, and projected expenditures; and prepares cost reports, forecasts, cash-flow projections, and estimates at completion. It analyzes financial performance and variances, identifies cost risks, and supports cost-to-complete analysis and financial decisions. The Cost Manager also manages project controls and reporting, coordinating cost information with schedules and progress measurement and supporting earned-value reporting and productivity analysis where applicable. Responsibilities include reviewing subcontractor payment applications and invoices, tracking and evaluating changes, supporting buyout and contract administration, and maintaining accurate project financial, billing, change-management, and reporting records.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
Five or more years of experience in construction cost control, project controls, project accounting, commercial management, or a related function.
Experience with Procore is required.
Experience with general contracting, design-build, EPC, infrastructure, industrial, data center, or other complex construction projects.
Strong understanding of construction budgets, forecasting, subcontractor costs, change management, commitments, accruals, and project financial reporting.
Ability to interpret construction contracts, drawings, specifications, schedules, and cost information.
Advanced Excel skills and experience with construction ERP, project-management, or cost-control systems.

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain project budgets, cost codes, work breakdown structures, and cost-control procedures.
Track commitments, actual costs, accruals, and projected expenditures.
Prepare monthly cost reports, forecasts, cash-flow projections, and estimates at completion.
Analyze budget-to-actual performance, cost variances, trends, exposures, and project profitability.
Identify cost risks early and recommend corrective actions to project leadership.
Support project teams with cost-to-complete analysis and financial decision-making.
Review project financial data for accuracy, completeness, and proper period accounting.
Manage project-control processes for cost, schedule, procurement, and reporting.
Coordinate cost information with project schedules and progress measurement.
Support earned-value reporting, productivity tracking, and performance analysis where applicable.
Prepare dashboards, presentations, and executive-level reports for internal and external stakeholders.
Maintain accurate project documentation and reporting records and provide timely updates on financial performance, risks, opportunities, and required decisions.
Review subcontractor payment applications, invoices, commitments, and supporting documentation for accuracy and compliance with contract terms.
Coordinate with project teams, Finance, and subcontractors to resolve billing discrepancies and maintain timely payment processing.
Track potential and approved changes, including scope, pricing, schedule, and risk impacts.
Evaluate change-order documentation and ensure approved changes are reflected in project budgets, forecasts, commitments, and cost reports.
Support subcontract buyout, contract administration, claims documentation, and change-order negotiations as needed.
Maintain accurate billing and change-management records throughout the project lifecycle.

Benefits

Industry-leading performance-based bonus program; discretionary bonus compensation based on individual and company performance.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
Traditional and Roth 401(k).
Tuition reimbursement for associates.
Scholarships for associates’ children, up to $28,000 per child.
One-month paid sabbatical after every five years of employment, plus $5,000 for travel.
One week of paid volunteer leave each year.
100% charitable match.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
Paid parental leave.