Cost Controls Lead

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way. Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward. OVERVIEWThe Cost Controls Lead is a senior, program-level leadership role within the Center of Excellence (COE), responsible for cost governance, estimating rigor, forecasting accuracy, and financial risk visibility across the portfolio. This role leads the Program Estimators team and owns the standards, methodologies, and outputs that ensure cost certainty and predictable outcomes across all authorized service lines.Reporting directly to the COE Lead, the Cost Controls Lead establishes and enforces estimating standards, maintains program benchmarks and market intelligence, and provides leadership focus on cost performance, recovery, and continuous improvement. The role operates as an enterprise enablement function—supporting early-phase decision-making while maintaining strong discipline through pricing milestones—without assuming day-to-day project cost management or negotiation authority.JOB SUMMARY/GOALSThis role provides program-wide leadership for cost controls and estimating functions within the COE. Key goals include:Own and enforce cost governance, estimating standards, and financial discipline across the programLead and develop the Program Estimators team to deliver consistent, phase-appropriate cost outputsImprove cost predictability through benchmarking, analytics, and risk visibilitySupport early-phase decision-making through high-quality estimates and value opportunity insightsProvide leadership focus to address historical cost challenges and improve portfolio outcomesPartner closely with Project Delivery Team, Scheduling, Design Enablement, PMO, and Innovation to align cost, schedule, and constructability decisionsESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESCost Governance & Estimating Leadership (Program-Level)Own program-wide cost controls standards, estimating methodologies, and governance frameworksEstablish and maintain disciplined estimating practices across scoping, engineered drawing, and final pricing phasesEnsure consistent application of cost assumptions, exclusions, and risk documentationProvide leadership oversight to ensure estimates are complete, defensible, and aligned with approved scopeServe as the senior escalation point for cost-related risks, variances, or confidence concernsTeam Leadership & DevelopmentLead, mentor, and develop the Program Estimators teamSet performance expectations, prioritize workload, and ensure consistent quality of deliverablesCreate clear development pathways and growth opportunities for estimating team membersPromote collaboration between Estimators, Design, Scheduling, and Industrialized Construction teamsBudget Development & ValidationOversee development and validation of:Scoping budgetsEngineered Drawing budgetsFinal Pricing budgetsValidate alignment between scope, quantities, and pricing at defined milestonesSupport bid reviews focused on scope completeness and pricing reasonablenessEnsure “apples-to-apples” bid comparisons through compliance and completeness checksBenchmarking & Market IntelligenceEstablish and maintain historical cost benchmarks by project type, prototype, and marketLead annual program-level benchmarking updatesMonitor market conditions, cost drivers, and pricing volatilityProvide standardized variance narratives and market context to leadership and clientsCost Risk Visibility & AnalyticsLead portfolio-level analysis of budget movement across pricing stagesIdentify recurring scope gaps, cost growth drivers, and estimating accuracy trendsMaintain program-level cost assumption and risk registersProvide early warning insights to support recovery planning and decision-makingValue Opportunity Identification (Advisory)Identify repeatable scope, specification, or constructability alternatives with cost implicationsSupport value engineering discussions through data-driven analysis and recommendationsProvide advisory input only; no negotiation, approval, or implementation authorityCross-Pillar COE IntegrationPartner with Scheduling to align cost and schedule assumptionsCollaborate with Design Enablement to influence early-phase decisionsCoordinate with Industrialized Construction to embed standardization and innovationSupport PMO and Program Support functions with cost insight, data, and reporting alignmentEDUCATION AND EXPERIENCEBachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Accounting, or related field7–10+ years of experience in construction cost management or estimating· Demonstrated experience leading estimating or cost controls teamsStrong understanding of CSI trade costs and multi-phase estimatingExperience supporting retail, restaurant, or prototype-driven programs preferredKNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIESDeep expertise in construction estimating, cost modeling, and financial risk managementStrong leadership and team development capabilitiesAbility to influence early-phase decisions through clear, credible cost insightHigh analytical rigor with the ability to translate data into executive-level narrativesStrong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage client and JLL leadershipWorking knowledge of architectural and engineering drawingsProficiency with estimating and cost tools (e.g., RSMeans, CostX, Bluebeam, PlanSwift)Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and data analysis toolsBENEFICIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCEExperience operating within a Center of Excellence or program controls environmentPrior exposure to portfolio-level analytics and benchmarkingFamiliarity with JLL PDS standards, controls, and governance frameworksExperience supporting innovation or industrialized construction initiativesThis position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.Estimated compensation for this position:130,000.00 – 180,000.00 USD per yearThis range is an estimate and actual compensation may differ. Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.Location:Remote –Atlanta, GAIf this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet all the requirements. We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth:JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits may include:401(k) plan with matching company contributionsComprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision CarePaid parental leave at 100% of salary Paid Time Off and Company HolidaysEarly access to earned wages through Daily PayAt JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you're pursuing.JLL Privacy NoticeJones Lang LaSalle (JLL), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services. We take our responsibility to protect the personal information provided to us seriously. Generally the personal information we collect from you are for the purposes of processing in connection with JLL’s recruitment process. We endeavour to keep your personal information secure with appropriate level of security and keep for as long as we need it for legitimate business or legal reasons. We will then delete it safely and securely.For more information about how JLL processes your personal data, please view our Candidate Privacy Statement.For additional details please see our career site pages for each country.For candidates in the United States, please see a full copy of our Equal Employment Opportunity policy here.Jones Lang LaSalle (“JLL”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at View email address on click.appcast.io. This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for JLL.Pursuant to the Arizona Civil Rights Act, criminal convictions are not an absolute bar to employment.Pursuant to Illinois Law, applicants are not obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest.Pursuant to Columbia, SC ordinance, this position is subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.California Residents onlyIf you are a California resident as defined in the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) please view our Supplemental Privacy Statement which describes your rights and disclosures about your personal information. If you are viewing this on a mobile device you may want to view the CCPA version on a larger device.Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, JLL will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.Accepting applications on an ongoing basis until candidate identified.SummaryLocation: Atlanta, GAType: Full time