Cost Manager

Job Title: Cost Manager – Capital Programs (Construction / Cost Control)

Job Description

This role leads cost control, forecasting, and financial governance for a high-volume capital projects program across labs, research and development facilities, tools installations, and corporate campus environments on the San Francisco Peninsula. The Cost Manager ensures cost discipline across multiple concurrent projects and enables informed decision-making by providing accurate forecasts, robust variance analysis, and executive-ready financial reporting. The position is based on a hybrid schedule with three days per week onsite and requires some travel to project locations.

Responsibilities

• Lead program-level cost management across a portfolio of capital projects supporting labs, R&D facilities, tools installations, and corporate campus environments.

• Develop and manage monthly, quarterly, and long-range financial forecasts for capital programs, ensuring alignment with project schedules and scope.

• Review and validate change orders and cost adjustments to confirm accuracy, appropriateness, and compliance with contract terms.

• Review contractor pay applications against work-in-place to verify quantities, progress, and adherence to budget and contractual obligations.

• Maintain rigorous cost control across multiple concurrent projects, ensuring consistent application of cost management processes and standards.

• Develop cost benchmarks and support project estimating by building and maintaining cost datasets and reference metrics.

• Support procurement and buyout activities by performing bid analysis, comparing proposals, and identifying cost and risk implications.

• Provide detailed variance analysis, highlighting deviations from budget or forecast and identifying underlying drivers.

• Identify, track, and communicate financial risks and opportunities across the capital program, escalating issues early and proposing mitigation strategies.

• Prepare and deliver clear, concise, and executive-ready cost reports and dashboards for leadership and project stakeholders.

• Collaborate closely with project management teams and contractors to establish credibility, build strong working relationships, and enforce cost discipline.

• Challenge contractors constructively when necessary to ensure cost effectiveness, transparency, and adherence to agreed budgets.

• Contribute to continuous improvement of cost control practices and help standardize processes across the program.

• Support success metrics by delivering accurate forecasts with minimal variance, improving consistency of cost controls, and resolving cost risks early in the project lifecycle.

Essential Skills

• At least 5 years of experience in cost management, quantity surveying, or construction finance.

• Proven experience developing and managing financial forecasts for capital projects or programs.

• Strong bg in change management, including detailed review and validation of change orders and cost adjustments.

• Hands-on experience reviewing contractor pay applications and verifying work-in-place.

• Demonstrated ability to support multiple concurrent projects within a high-volume project environment.

• Capability to challenge contractors constructively and enforce cost discipline while maintaining productive relationships.

• Experience performing variance analysis and identifying financial risks within construction or capital project settings.

• Proficiency in construction cost estimation and cost analysis within capital programs.

• Solid understanding of construction project management principles and financial governance for capital projects.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working on labs, infrastructure, or mission-critical environments.

• Owner-side or owner’s representative experience in capital projects.

• bg supporting high-volume project environments with multiple simultaneous initiatives.

• Experience developing cost benchmarks and building cost datasets for use across programs.

• Exposure to electrical or other technical disciplines within construction projects.

• Experience working in roles that bridge project management, finance, and construction operations.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to produce clear, executive-ready reporting and present financial insights to stakeholders.

Work Environment

The role is based on the San Francisco Peninsula and follows a hybrid work model, with three days per week onsite and some travel required to project and campus locations. The Cost Manager operates within a high-volume capital projects environment that includes labs, R&D facilities, tools installations, and corporate campus infrastructure. The work involves close collaboration with project management teams, contractors, and procurement professionals in a dynamic setting where multiple projects run concurrently. The environment emphasizes structured cost governance, disciplined financial controls, and data-driven decision-making, with regular preparation of executive-ready reporting and participation in program-level reviews.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Menlo Park, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $85.00/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 fully onsite position in Menlo Park,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 3, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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.