Cost Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Cost Manager
Job Description

The Cost Manager leads the full lifecycle of cost management for medium to large commercial real estate construction projects, from early strategy and vendor selection through final accounting and post-contract review. This role provides expert advice on cost strategies, oversees estimating and cost reporting, manages cost control and invoicing processes, and ensures robust governance and risk management. The Cost Manager works on the owner’s representative side, partnering closely with project managers, vendors, and clients to deliver projects efficiently, transparently, and within budget while supporting continuous improvement and career growth.

Responsibilities

• Advise the client on cost strategies for construction projects, including procurement approaches and value management options.
• Manage the prequalification of vendors by reviewing capabilities, experience, and financial stability to ensure alignment with project requirements.
• Assess proposals and bids, prepare bid leveling documents, and develop clear comparisons to support informed decision-making.
• Make well-supported final recommendations to the client regarding vendor selection and contract awards.
• Attend and chair bid interviews, ensuring structured evaluation and consistent questioning of bidders.
• Manage the appointment process for selected vendors, coordinating with project managers and other stakeholders as needed.
• Lead estimating services for the full project, including construction costs, professional fees, direct work, and other related costs.
• Develop detailed project estimates and review estimates prepared by junior team members for accuracy and completeness.
• Present estimates, value engineering recommendations, and risk assessments to the client in a clear and compelling manner.
• Meet with vendors to review, validate, and challenge cost submissions, ensuring realistic and competitive pricing.
• Review and refine estimates using benchmark data collected from other projects to improve accuracy and consistency.
• Establish a cost reporting schedule and manage regular cost reporting activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Review and present cost reports and forecasts to the client, highlighting variances, trends, and potential risks.
• Review the project budget and spend forecasts with the client to support informed financial planning and decision-making.
• Develop and maintain a commercial risk register, tracking cost-related risks and mitigation actions.
• Host periodic meetings with the project team and vendors to review cost performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Manage the cost control process by reviewing payment application assessments prepared by junior team members.
• Liaise with project managers to recommend contractor entitlements based on contract terms and project progress.
• Review requests for change orders from vendors, evaluate their validity and cost impact, and make recommendations to the client.
• Apply dispute prevention, management, and resolution procedures to handle payment requisitions, change orders, and contractual disputes effectively.
• Manage and monitor the invoicing process to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with agreed terms and internal controls.
• Benchmark project performance against other successful commissions to identify best practices and areas for improvement.
• Manage all facets of the final accounting process, including post-contract audits and account closeouts.
• Conduct post-contract reviews with the client to capture lessons learned and document them in a structured format.
• Apply lessons learned to create or refine training materials and manuals to support continuous improvement within the team.
• Develop procedures governing the handover of the project to operations or the client, ensuring a smooth transition.
• Perform all cost management duties using bid analysis sheets, change control forms, cost estimating software, and take-off software.
• Adhere to SOX control responsibilities where applicable, ensuring compliance with relevant internal control requirements.

• Strong experience in cost estimation and cost analysis within the construction industry.
• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience working in a cost management role in the commercial real estate construction industry.
• Experience supporting cost management on medium or large-sized construction projects.
• Construction quantity surveying (QS) consultancy experience, strongly preferred.
• Good knowledge of construction industry technical matters, including different procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.
• Proficiency in using cost estimating software and digital tools to prepare and review estimates.
• Ability to use bid analysis sheets, change control forms, and take-off software in day-to-day cost management activities.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex cost information clearly to clients and project stakeholders.
• Ability to review and challenge vendor costs and change orders constructively and professionally.
• Competence in developing and maintaining cost reports, forecasts, and commercial risk registers.
• Capability to manage final accounting processes, post-contract audits, and project closeouts.
• Familiarity with dispute prevention and resolution procedures related to payment requisitions, change orders, and contractual matters.

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a related construction field.
• RICS accreditation or active progress toward RICS accreditation is highly valuable.
• Experience working on the owner’s representative side of projects is beneficial.
• Demonstrated ability to benchmark performance against other projects and apply insights to improve outcomes.
• Experience preparing lessons learned documentation and contributing to training materials or manuals.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines across complex projects.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy in all cost-related documentation and reporting.
• Comfort working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment with project managers, vendors, and clients.

This role operates within a professional commercial real estate construction environment, working on the owner’s representative side rather than directly with subcontractors. The position follows standard working hours and offers a hybrid model, with a few days each week spent in the office and the remainder worked remotely, depending on project needs. You will collaborate closely with project managers, vendors, and internal teams, using tools such as cost estimating software, take-off software, bid analysis sheets, and change control forms as part of daily activities. The environment supports clear career progression, with defined pathways from Cost Manager to Senior Cost Manager, Associate Director, and Director, providing strong opportunities for professional growth and development.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Tampa, FL.

The pay range for this position is $52.88 - $72.12/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)

This is a hybrid position in Tampa,FL.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 14, 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 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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 ziprecruiter.com 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.