Senior Cost Manager

RLB Careers•Midlothian, VA

About The Position

The Senior Cost Manager manages project costs across all stages of construction, ensuring effective cost control, accurate reporting, and strong client collaboration. The role calls for construction cost management experience and the ability to lead cost planning and commercial activities across a range of project types. The Senior Cost Manager identifies opportunities to add value and help achieve clients’ desired project outcomes. Responsibilities vary by specialty. In Quantity Surveying, the role provides cost management and quantity surveying services from pre-construction through project closeout, including cost planning, estimating, value engineering, procurement, bidding, cost reporting, change management, financial forecasting, payment application review, final accounts, and commercial risk management. The Senior Cost Manager advises clients and project teams, communicates with project stakeholders, ensures processes meet company and client requirements, and supports and mentors junior staff. In Cost Estimating, the role prepares and manages quantity take-offs and estimates for architectural, structural, and civil scopes across design stages and for new construction and renovation projects. It analyzes plans, specifications, pricing, cost data, and estimates; prepares cost options and value engineering recommendations; reviews contractor and consultant estimates and work-in-progress valuations; forecasts project costs; and presents findings to clients and project teams. The role also contributes to estimating team performance, training, mentoring, and other cost-related tasks as directed. The ideal candidate takes a positive, proactive approach and is committed to customer service excellence. The position is based in an indoor office environment and may require work at a project site when necessary. It reports to the Office Director.

Requirements

Four-year college degree in Construction Management, Structural Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Cost Estimating, or an equivalent recognized technical qualification; substitute experience is permitted.
5–10 years of relevant experience in construction cost estimating across a variety of building types and design stages, from program and conceptual through schematic, design development, and construction documents.
Experience estimating architectural, structural, and civil components of new construction and renovation projects in elemental and CSI formats.
Knowledge and understanding of cost management service execution.
Good planning, organization, and communication skills.
Understanding of technical and non-technical documents related to cost management services.
Knowledge and use of industry estimating software and Microsoft Office software programs.
Ability to work on a computer and answer and speak on a telephone.
Positive, proactive approach and commitment to customer service excellence.

Nice To Haves

Some MEP estimating experience.
AACE International certification and/or Certified Cost Professional certification.

Responsibilities

Lead cost management and quantity surveying services across project phases, from pre-construction through closeout.
Develop and maintain cost estimates, project budgets, cost plans, and bid documentation throughout design and construction.
Perform value engineering and cost analysis and provide cost advice during design development to keep decisions aligned with approved budgets.
Manage procurement and bidding, including bid packages, bid evaluations, contractor negotiations, and award recommendations.
Track project costs, change orders, cost reporting, cash flow, and financial forecasts throughout the project lifecycle.
Prepare regular cost reports and financial updates for clients and stakeholders.
Review contractors and change order requests, and negotiate cost impacts where required.
Review and process contractor and consultant pay applications for compliance with contract terms.
Assist with preparing, negotiating, and agreeing final accounts and project closeout documentation.
Provide commercial and financial guidance to clients and project teams; identify and manage commercial risks and opportunities.
Communicate with clients, contractors, designers, and internal teams, and ensure cost management processes meet company standards, project controls procedures, and client requirements.
Support, guide, and mentor junior staff and contribute to team development, training, and knowledge sharing.
Prepare and manage detailed quantity take-offs and cost estimates from drawings and specifications for architectural, structural, and civil scopes, including new construction and renovation projects.
Prepare value engineering, cost option, cost strategy, and independent post-contract estimates, reporting differences in scope, quantities, and pricing from contractor estimates.
Analyze plans, specifications, material, labor, equipment, profit margins, historical costs, and vendor data to develop estimates and price recommendations.
Lead specific estimating projects and review estimates prepared by the Estimating Team before supervisor final review.
Evaluate architect and engineer cost-estimating deliverables for cost containment and forecast costs of future projects and changes to existing projects.
Prepare technical evaluations, draft cost-estimating reports, memos, and letters; present recommendations to management and clients.
Attend client meetings and participate in design charrettes, design workshops, value engineering studies, reconciliations, and contractor negotiations.
Prepare valuations of work-in-progress from contractor draw requests and review estimates prepared by others as directed.
Collaborate and communicate effectively to contribute to team performance and client outcomes, and complete other assigned duties.
Work on a computer and answer and speak on a telephone; work at a project site when necessary.