Cost Manager

Aston Carter•Minneapolis, MN

5d•$67 - $87•Onsite

About The Position

The Cost Manager leads full-cycle cost management and estimating for large, complex construction projects, with a strong focus on hyperscale and colocation data centers. This role oversees project financials from concept through completion, including budget development, cost planning, financial reporting, and commercial support. The Cost Manager partners closely with project teams and stakeholders to ensure budgets align with scope, contracts, and schedule, while providing clear, data-driven insights that support strategic decision-making and long-term project success.

Requirements

710+ years of experience in complex project execution and financial oversight, preferably within large-scale construction projects.
Proven experience in hyperscale or colocation data center construction, or similarly complex, large-scale projects.
Demonstrated expertise in cost management, cost analysis, and cost estimating across all project phases.
Strong financial reporting skills, including preparation of monthly cost reports, risk assessments, and cash flow forecasts.
Experience with budget and contract alignment, ensuring project budgets accurately reflect contractual commitments and scope.
Proficiency in managing change orders, including evaluation of subcontractor change requests and understanding of contractual entitlements.
Solid background in construction project management and commercial support for trade procurement and subcontractor administration.
Experience leading teams and overseeing direct reports, with the ability to provide guidance, coaching, and performance oversight.
Genuine interest in and enjoyment of overseeing the financial aspects of projects, including projections, budgeting, and financial controls.
Bachelors degree in Finance, Construction Management, or a related field.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret labor market conditions, union considerations, commodity trends, and tax impacts on project costs.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex financial information clearly to senior stakeholders.
Proficiency with project financial management tools and spreadsheets, including experience with Procore and Smartsheet or similar platforms.

Nice To Haves

Experience working on multi-building, long-duration construction programs, such as large campuses or industrial facilities.
Familiarity with lifecycle cost modeling and benchmarking to support strategic decision-making.
Experience preparing comprehensive tender documentation and conducting detailed bid leveling and compliance reviews.
Ability to develop and present formal Tender Recommendation Reports and lead trade package review meetings.
Comfort working in dynamic environments with multiple concurrent projects and evolving pipelines of future builds.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in managing multiple budgets, forecasts, and cost reports simultaneously.
Ability to build strong relationships with project teams, finance partners, and external stakeholders across multiple locations.
Adaptability to support projects both onsite and virtually, depending on project needs and location.

Responsibilities

Lead the full-cycle cost management of complex construction projects from initial concept through project completion, ensuring robust cost controls are in place at every stage.
Conduct scope definition workshops with stakeholders to develop accurate, comprehensive project budgets that reflect design intent and project requirements.
Create, maintain, and update detailed cost plans and estimates aligned with each design phase, revising forecasts at key project milestones to reflect current information.
Review design alternatives, emerging technologies, and construction means-and-methods to assess cost implications and ensure all estimates meet required accuracy standards.
Develop and deliver lifecycle cost models and integrate benchmarking data to support informed, data-driven decision-making for project teams and stakeholders.
Perform detailed evaluations of subcontractor change order requests to confirm alignment with contractual requirements and project scope, and recommend appropriate actions.
Prepare and present monthly cost reports and risk assessments to senior internal and external stakeholders, clearly highlighting key variances, risks, and recommended mitigation strategies.
Support monthly stakeholder meetings by providing clear financial content, data-driven insights, and expert commentary on project cost performance and trends.
Produce and maintain detailed cash flow forecasts across the project lifecycle to support client financial planning and internal reporting requirements.
Prepare comprehensive tender documentation for all trade packages, ensuring clarity, completeness, and alignment with project scope and commercial requirements.
Manage the tender query process by responding to bidder questions, clarifying scope, and maintaining transparent communication throughout the procurement cycle.
Perform detailed bid leveling and compliance reviews to compare proposals objectively and ensure all bids meet technical and commercial requirements.
Produce formal Tender Recommendation Reports and lead trade package review meetings to support transparent, well-documented procurement decisions.
Manage the monthly pencil requisition process, diligently review all variations, and support the project team in agreeing rolling and final accounts with subcontractors.
Review and interpret contractual terms to recommend entitlements related to change orders, claims, and other commercial matters, protecting project and client interests.
Coordinate directly with finance and accounting teams to ensure accurate financial reporting and full compliance with established financial controls and procedures.
Analyze and report on local labor markets, union considerations, commodity price fluctuations, and tax impacts to inform project cost strategy and budget updates.
Lead and mentor a team, providing direction and oversight to direct reports involved in cost management, financial tracking, and commercial administration.
Take ownership of the financial and budgeting elements of the role, including projections, budget setup, pay applications, and milestone tracking, to ensure strong financial performance.
Utilize project financial management tools and collaborative platforms to manage project financials, track changes, and maintain accurate, up-to-date cost information.