Senior Cost Manager

RLB Careers • Tucson, AZ

5d

About The Position

The Senior Cost Manager manages project costs throughout all stages of construction, ensuring effective cost control, accurate reporting, and strong client collaboration. The role leads cost planning and commercial activities across a range of project types, identifies opportunities to add value, and helps achieve clients’ desired project outcomes. The Senior Cost Manager works as part of the Estimating Team, may lead specific projects, reviews estimates prepared by team members, and contributes to training and mentoring. The position requires a proactive approach and a commitment to customer service excellence.

The role involves estimating and cost management for new construction and renovation projects, including architectural, structural, and civil scopes. Work includes preparing quantity take-offs, estimates, cost strategies, technical evaluations, reports, and valuations; analyzing cost data; assessing estimates from design and construction parties; attending client meetings; and participating in design workshops, value engineering, reconciliations, and contractor negotiations.

The position is based in an indoor office environment and may require work at project sites when necessary. Equipment includes computers and standard office machines. Physical tasks include working on a computer and answering and speaking on a telephone.

Requirements

• A four-year college degree in Construction Management, Structural Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Cost Estimating, or an equivalent recognized technical qualification; equivalent substitute experience is permitted.
• 5–10 years of relevant experience in construction cost estimating across a variety of building types.
• Experience estimating at program, conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction document stages.
• Experience estimating in elemental and CSI formats for architectural, structural, and civil components of new construction and renovation projects.
• Knowledge and understanding of the execution of cost management services.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage detailed quantity take-offs and cost estimates based on drawings and specifications.
• Review preconstruction plans and specifications, complete quantity take-offs, and prepare estimates for architectural, structural, and civil scopes from schematic through final design for new construction and renovation projects.
• Prepare value engineering, cost option, and cost strategy estimates.
• Prepare independent post-contract estimates and report differences in scope, quantities, and pricing from contractor estimates.
• Perform plan and specification analysis, take-off, and pricing for construction projects as part of the Estimating Team.
• Act as the lead individual for specific projects.
• Review estimates prepared by the Estimating Team before supervisor final review.
• Compile and analyze data affecting costs, including materials, labor, equipment, and profit margins.
• Evaluate cost-estimating deliverables prepared by architects and engineers for cost containment.
• Acquire and evaluate historical and vendor cost data to develop cost estimates and price recommendations.
• Forecast costs for future projects and changes to existing projects.
• Prepare technical evaluations, draft cost-estimating reports, memos, and letters, and present recommendations to management and clients.
• Attend client meetings.
• Participate in design charrettes and workshops, including presenting estimates to clients and the AE team.
• Participate in value engineering studies, reconciliations, and negotiations with contractors.
• Prepare valuations of work-in-progress reports based on contractor draw requests.
• Undertake other cost-related tasks as directed by the supervisor, including reviewing estimates prepared by others.
• Assist with training and mentoring others.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively to contribute to team performance.
• Understand clients’ desired project outcomes and identify opportunities to add value toward achieving them.
• Perform other assigned duties.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior