Cost Manager

Job Title: Cost Manager
Job Description
As a Cost Manager, you will prepare conceptual, schematic, and CD electrical cost estimates. Your role involves performing quantity takeoffs and pricing for power, lighting, fire alarm, low voltage, and specialty systems. You will manage project budgets, forecasts, and cost reporting, review contractor bids, GMPs, and change orders, and conduct value engineering and cost-saving analyses. Additionally, you will support procurement strategies and contract administration while presenting cost reports and recommendations to clients. Mentoring junior estimators and cost consultants will also be a key part of your responsibilities.
Responsibilities

• Prepare conceptual, schematic, and CD electrical cost estimates.
• Perform quantity takeoffs and pricing for power, lighting, fire alarm, low voltage, and specialty systems.
• Manage project budgets, forecasts, and cost reporting.
• Review contractor bids, GMPs, and change orders.
• Conduct value engineering and cost-saving analyses.
• Support procurement strategies and contract administration.
• Present cost reports and recommendations to clients.
• Mentor junior estimators and cost consultants.

Essential Skills

• 10+ years of electrical estimating, cost management, or project controls experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or related field.
• Experience with healthcare, commercial, infrastructure, mission-critical, or large-scale construction projects.
• Strong knowledge of electrical systems, construction methods, and industry pricing.
• Proficiency with CostX, Bluebeam, Excel, RSMeans, or similar estimating platforms.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Certified Cost Professional (CCP)
• Certified Estimating Professional (CEP)
• Professional Engineer (PE)
• LEED Accreditation
• RICS or Quantity Surveying credentials

Work Environment
This position is fully remote and aligned to regional teams, with a focus on NYC.
You will enjoy a work-life balanced schedule with a salaried position (40-hour weeks) and benefits including 80 hours PTO, 8 holidays, 401k, medical, dental, and vision coverage.
The environment is collaborative, empowering professionals to make impactful contributions from early planning through project delivery.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of New York, NY.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $80.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in New York,NY.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 22, 2026.
About Actalent


Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.


The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.


If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.



San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.



Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.



Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.