Cost Manager

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

This role is responsible for managing the cost control function for the assigned project, ensuring accurate budgeting, forecasting, and reporting to support informed decision-making. The position requires strong communication, leadership, and analytical skills to collaborate with project stakeholders and drive positive project outcomes.

The Cost Manager oversees the development and maintenance of cost reports, analyzes trends, and provides actionable insights into project leadership. Responsibilities include implementing cost control measures, supporting cost accountability for project team, and ensuring alignment with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) practices, planning and scheduling, progress measurement, estimate development, and contract commercial terms.

PRIMARY POSITION OBJECTIVE

To manage and execute the cost control function for assigned project by:

• Ensuring accurate and timely cost reporting and forecasting
• Supporting project leadership with a cost-focused mindset
• Communicating project health using standardized tools and reporting methods
• Applying historical and current project trends to support decision-making
• Maintaining data integrity and system accuracy
• Supporting contract and commercial analysis to enhance financial performance

Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain system accuracy and ensure data integrity across cost systems
• Perform analytics including Bill of Quantities (BOQ), Earned Value Management, forecasting, and scenario evaluation
• Generate standard cost reports for project stakeholders
• Develop ad hoc reports to support project decision-making
• Conduct contract and commercial analysis to assess financial impacts
• Lead or participate in meetings with Project Management Teams to communicate cost performance
• Support development and refinement of reporting to reflect project health
• Communicate project status effectively using standardized tools and methods
• Apply historical and current project trends to inform cost-related decisions
• Identify and implement cost control measures that drive accountability across the project team
• Support team coordination and task execution to meet project deliverables

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Required: High School Diploma or GED
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from a four-year college or university, or Master's degree (M.A.) with exposure to advanced statistical analysis and construction management practices.

Experience Requirements:

• Required: 5+ years of relevant experience in cost management or project controls
• Preferred: Experience in Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) environments with exposure to cost control, forecasting, and reporting

Management Responsibilities:

• Supervises 5+ team members.
• Acts as a Work Leader and Supervisor, assigning tasks and overseeing performance.
• Participates in hiring, performance evaluations, and salary reviews.
• Coordinates and reviews work of assigned cost team members

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Accuracy and data integrity
• Oral and written communication
• Problem-solving and analytical thinking
• Report writing and scenario evaluation
• Use of statistical software and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Access)
• Familiarity with project management tools (P6, CMIS, Contract Manager, ConstructSim)

Salary/Pay Rate:
In accordance with Illinois Equal Pay Act, the expected salary range for this Illinois position, Cost Manager, is between $113,900 and $160,407, annually. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience, geographic location, and other job-related factors as permitted by law.


Benefits:
This position, Cost Manager is eligible for participation in Zachry's Total Employee Rewards Program, which includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, and other ancillary benefits. This position is also eligible for participation in the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• General office environment with occasional exposure to construction site conditions.
• Frequent use of computers, calculators, printers, and other office equipment.
• Requires close vision, color perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Fast-paced and variable work environment.

ZACHRY is dedicated to providing a Safe and Drug-Free work environment and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Additional Information

Relocation Requirement: Must be willing and able to relocate to a project location anywhere within the United States.

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