Senior Cost Manager - Contract

Role Overview

The successful candidate will independently manage cost management activities for assigned projects or major work packages, including cost planning, estimating, change management, invoice review, cost reporting, risk management, contract administration, and project close-out.

The Senior Cost Manager will act as a primary day-to-day cost management contact for project stakeholders, provide commercial recommendations, review the work of junior team members, and escalate significant commercial risks to project leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the preparation and review of cost estimates, cost plans, budgets, and forecasts using project information, benchmarking data, and market intelligence.
• Lead value engineering and lifecycle costing exercises for assigned projects or work packages.
• Prepare, review, and manage cost control reports, forecasts, cash flow reporting, and other financial reporting.
• Manage project change control, including change orders, commitments, invoices, forecasts, and cost impact assessments.
• Review and assess change orders, invoices, quotations, and supporting documentation for commercial accuracy and contractual alignment.
• Identify, assess, and actively manage commercial and cost risks within assigned projects.
• Participate in and provide commercial input during pre-contract and post-contract discussions.
• Represent the cost management function in client, project, contractor, and design team meetings.
• Assess and communicate the cost impact of design changes, scope developments, procurement decisions, and project risks.
• Perform and review measurement, pricing research, benchmarking, development appraisals, and commercial analyses.
• Support commercial negotiations, contract administration, final accounts, and project close-out.
• Review the work and deliverables of Junior Cost Managers and provide day-to-day coaching and guidance.
• Ensure consistent use of project cost management templates, trackers, controls, and reporting processes.
• Independently resolve routine commercial issues and escalate significant risks or decisions to the Lead Cost Manager or project leadership.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent professional qualification, in one of the following or a related discipline:

◦ Quantity Surveying

◦ Construction Management

◦ Cost Management

◦ Engineering

◦ Data Analytics with a construction or cost focus

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant cost management experience.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing cost plans, forecasts, change control, invoice reviews, and commercial reporting.
• Experience managing commercial risks and providing cost recommendations to project stakeholders.
• Strong numerical, analytical, commercial, and documentation skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, consultants, contractors, and project leadership.
• Ability to supervise and review junior team members and independently manage assigned projects or major work packages.