Director of Project Controls / Cost Management

MalaceHR is seeking an experienced Director of Project Controls / Cost Management to support complex construction and real estate programs in New York City.

This senior-level position will be heavily focused on cost management and project controls , including both pre-contract and post-contract project activities. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of experience managing construction costs, estimating, procurement, change management, risk, and project financial performance.

This position requires a strong understanding of construction methods, project delivery, real estate markets, and cost management practices. The successful candidate must also be highly client-facing and capable of delivering a polished, white-glove level of service to senior stakeholders.

The role will initially operate as an individual contributor with no direct reports; however, it is expected to develop into a broader leadership position as the team and program grow.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead project controls and cost management activities across multiple simultaneous projects, including large-scale and complex construction programs.

• Manage projects through 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 reporting.

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

• Analyze construction drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and project documentation to accurately determine anticipated costs.

• Develop a strong understanding of local market pricing for labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor services.

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

• Lead value engineering exercises and design option reviews to identify opportunities to improve project value and control costs.

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

• Review contractor and subcontractor proposals for completeness, accuracy, and alignment with project scope.

• Review change orders and support formal change management processes.

• Determine whether proposed changes fall within the original project scope and assess the cost and schedule impact of changes.

• Identify project risks that could affect cost, schedule, scope, or overall project delivery.

• Develop appropriate risk mitigation strategies and monitor implementation throughout the project lifecycle.

• Coordinate with project managers, design teams, contractors, consultants, and client stakeholders to gather project information and maintain accurate reporting.

• Generate project status, cost, risk, and progress reports for internal and external stakeholders.

• Present cost information, recommendations, forecasts, and project findings to senior client stakeholders.

• Conduct project controls and cost management audits to identify deviations from established procedures.

• Support lessons-learned initiatives and implementation of project controls best practices across future projects.

• Maintain a detailed understanding of construction techniques, technology, market conditions, and industry trends.

• Effectively manage client expectations through clear, proactive, and concise communication.

• Develop trusted relationships with clients and become a strategic advisor regarding project cost, risk, and commercial matters.

• Support strategic initiatives designed to improve project controls and cost management processes.

• Contribute subject matter expertise to broader project controls and cost management teams.

• Mentor and support team members as the organization and account grow.

• Participate in recruiting, developing, and retaining high-performing project controls and cost management professionals.

• Support business development activities and the cultivation of existing and prospective client relationships.

• Assist with the development of case studies, market intelligence, benchmarking data, and other client-facing deliverables.

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 in cost management, estimating, quantity surveying, project controls, or a similar construction-related position.

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

• Strong construction cost management background.

• Extensive understanding of construction processes, methods, materials, and project delivery.

• Ability to independently prepare and review detailed cost estimates and project budgets.

• Experience performing conceptual estimates and evaluating incomplete or evolving design information.

• Strong understanding of procurement, tendering, bid analysis, and contractor negotiations.

• Experience reviewing change orders, project changes, and construction claims from a commercial perspective.

• Strong understanding of project financial controls, forecasting, risk management, and reporting.

• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and priorities simultaneously.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Exceptional client-facing and stakeholder-management capabilities.

• Ability to communicate effectively with senior executives, project teams, contractors, designers, and consultants.

• Strong customer-service mindset with the ability to provide a professional, high-touch client experience.

• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 25% based on project needs.

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certifications such as AACE, RICS, PMP, or similar industry credentials .

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

• Experience with construction benchmarking and estimating databases.

• Experience managing major corporate real estate, commercial construction, or capital improvement programs.

• Previous leadership, mentoring, or team-development experience.