Senior Cost Manager

MalaceHR is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager to support complex construction and real estate projects in Poughkeepsie, NY.

This position is heavily focused on cost management , with responsibility for managing project costs throughout both the pre-contract and post-contract phases. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of experience in cost management, estimating, quantity surveying, project controls, or a similar construction-focused discipline.

The Senior Cost Manager will be responsible for developing cost estimates, managing project budgets, supporting procurement and tendering, reviewing change orders, performing risk analysis, and providing accurate cost reporting throughout the project lifecycle.

This is a highly client-facing role requiring exceptional communication skills, strong construction knowledge, and the ability to provide a professional, white-glove level of service. The position will initially operate without direct reports but may grow into a leadership role as the team expands.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead cost management activities for multiple concurrent construction and capital projects.

• Manage project costs throughout both pre-contract and post-contract phases .

• Prepare detailed construction and project cost estimates from conceptual design through final construction documents.

• Develop and maintain project budgets, cost plans, forecasts, cash flow projections, and financial reports.

• Perform conceptual estimating and AACE Level 1–5 cost evaluations .

• Review drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and project documentation to develop accurate cost estimates.

• Analyze and communicate local market pricing for labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor services.

• Utilize historical data, benchmarking tools, published cost information, and market studies to support estimating and forecasting.

• Perform value engineering evaluations and design option reviews.

• Identify opportunities for cost savings while maintaining project scope, quality, and performance requirements.

• Support procurement and tendering activities, including bid analysis, bid leveling, contractor evaluations, and commercial reconciliations.

• Review contractor and subcontractor estimates, proposals, and pricing submissions.

• Support contract negotiations and commercial discussions.

• Review change orders and assess proposed changes for accuracy, scope alignment, and financial impact.

• Support project change management processes throughout the construction lifecycle.

• Track commitments, expenditures, forecasts, contingencies, allowances, and overall project financial performance.

• Identify potential cost, schedule, and delivery risks.

• Develop risk mitigation strategies and monitor their implementation.

• Coordinate with project managers, contractors, architects, engineers, consultants, and other stakeholders to gather accurate project information.

• Prepare and maintain detailed project cost reports and executive-level reporting.

• Present cost information, forecasts, recommendations, and project status updates to internal and external stakeholders.

• Participate in contractor and subcontractor reconciliations.

• Conduct periodic project reviews and audits to ensure adherence to established cost management and project control procedures.

• Identify variances from approved budgets and recommend corrective actions.

• Support project teams in implementing lessons learned and cost management best practices.

• Stay current on construction market conditions, escalation trends, procurement challenges, and industry best practices.

• Apply subject matter expertise to improve cost management processes, tools, and reporting.

• Maintain strong client relationships through clear, proactive, and professional communication.

• Manage complex or sensitive client conversations related to project costs, budgets, and commercial issues.

• Provide a high-touch, customer-focused level of service to project stakeholders.

• Support and mentor junior team members as the organization and account grow.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, preferably in:

  • Quantity Surveying

  • Construction Management

  • Architecture

  • Engineering

  • Real Estate

  • Related field

• 10+ years of experience as a Cost Manager, Estimator, Quantity Surveyor, Project Controls professional, or similar construction-related role.

• Extensive experience managing projects through both pre-contract and post-contract phases .

• Strong background in construction cost management and estimating.

• Strong understanding of construction methods, sequencing, materials, labor, and project delivery.

• Ability to prepare detailed and conceptual construction estimates.

• Experience developing and managing project budgets and cost plans.

• Ability to perform AACE Level 1–5 cost evaluations.

• Experience with procurement, tendering, bid analysis, and commercial reconciliation.

• Experience reviewing contractor pricing, subcontractor pricing, and change orders.

• Strong understanding of cost forecasting, change management, financial reporting, and risk management.

• Ability to analyze incomplete or evolving project information and appropriately qualify assumptions and unknowns.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and priorities simultaneously.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong client-facing and stakeholder-management abilities.

• Ability to deliver a polished, responsive, and professional level of customer service.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven project environment.

• Ability and willingness to work onsite in Poughkeepsie a minimum of 4 days per week.

• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 25% as project needs require.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen due to client requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certification such as AACE, RICS, PMP, or similar industry credential .

• Experience using CostX, On-Screen Takeoff , or comparable estimating software.

• Experience with construction benchmarking and cost estimating databases.

• Experience supporting large-scale commercial real estate, capital improvement, industrial, or complex construction programs.

• Experience developing client-facing case studies, cost benchmarks, market reports, or quarterly metrics.

• Previous mentoring or team leadership experience.