Cost Controls Lead

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Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.

OVERVIEW
The Cost Controls Lead is a senior, program-level leadership role within the Center of Excellence (COE), responsible for cost governance, estimating rigor, forecasting accuracy, and financial risk visibility across the portfolio. This role leads the Program Estimators team and owns the standards, methodologies, and outputs that ensure cost certainty and predictable outcomes across all authorized service lines.

Reporting directly to the COE Lead, the Cost Controls Lead establishes and enforces estimating standards, maintains program benchmarks and market intelligence, and provides leadership focus on cost performance, recovery, and continuous improvement. The role operates as an enterprise enablement function—supporting early-phase decision-making while maintaining strong discipline through pricing milestones—without assuming day-to-day project cost management or negotiation authority.

JOB SUMMARY/GOALS

This role provides program-wide leadership for cost controls and estimating functions within the COE. Key goals include:

• Own and enforce cost governance, estimating standards, and financial discipline across the program

• Lead and develop the Program Estimators team to deliver consistent, phase-appropriate cost outputs

• Improve cost predictability through benchmarking, analytics, and risk visibility

• Support early-phase decision-making through high-quality estimates and value opportunity insights

• Provide leadership focus to address historical cost challenges and improve portfolio outcomes

Partner closely with Project Delivery Team, Scheduling, Design Enablement, PMO, and Innovation to align cost, schedule, and constructability decisions

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Cost Governance & Estimating Leadership (Program-Level)

• Own program-wide cost controls standards, estimating methodologies, and governance frameworks
• Establish and maintain disciplined estimating practices across scoping, engineered drawing, and final pricing phases
• Ensure consistent application of cost assumptions, exclusions, and risk documentation
• Provide leadership oversight to ensure estimates are complete, defensible, and aligned with approved scope
• Serve as the senior escalation point for cost-related risks, variances, or confidence concerns

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Program Estimators team
• Set performance expectations, prioritize workload, and ensure consistent quality of deliverables
• Create clear development pathways and growth opportunities for estimating team members
• Promote collaboration between Estimators, Design, Scheduling, and Industrialized Construction teams

Budget Development & Validation

• Oversee development and validation of:
• Scoping budgets
• Engineered Drawing budgets
• Final Pricing budgets
• Validate alignment between scope, quantities, and pricing at defined milestones
• Support bid reviews focused on scope completeness and pricing reasonableness
• Ensure “apples-to-apples” bid comparisons through compliance and completeness checks

Benchmarking & Market Intelligence

• Establish and maintain historical cost benchmarks by project type, prototype, and market
• Lead annual program-level benchmarking updates
• Monitor market conditions, cost drivers, and pricing volatility
• Provide standardized variance narratives and market context to leadership and clients

Cost Risk Visibility & Analytics

• Lead portfolio-level analysis of budget movement across pricing stages
• Identify recurring scope gaps, cost growth drivers, and estimating accuracy trends
• Maintain program-level cost assumption and risk registers
• Provide early warning insights to support recovery planning and decision-making

Value Opportunity Identification (Advisory)

• Identify repeatable scope, specification, or constructability alternatives with cost implications
• Support value engineering discussions through data-driven analysis and recommendations
• Provide advisory input only; no negotiation, approval, or implementation authority

Cross-Pillar COE Integration

• Partner with Scheduling to align cost and schedule assumptions
• Collaborate with Design Enablement to influence early-phase decisions
• Coordinate with Industrialized Construction to embed standardization and innovation
• Support PMO and Program Support functions with cost insight, data, and reporting alignment

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Accounting, or related field
• 7–10+ years of experience in construction cost management or estimating·
• Demonstrated experience leading estimating or cost controls teams
• Strong understanding of CSI trade costs and multi-phase estimating
• Experience supporting retail, restaurant, or prototype-driven programs preferred

 
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Deep expertise in construction estimating, cost modeling, and financial risk management
• Strong leadership and team development capabilities
• Ability to influence early-phase decisions through clear, credible cost insight
• High analytical rigor with the ability to translate data into executive-level narratives
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage client and JLL leadership
• Working knowledge of architectural and engineering drawings
• Proficiency with estimating and cost tools (e.g., RSMeans, CostX, Bluebeam, PlanSwift)
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and data analysis tools

BENEFICIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience operating within a Center of Excellence or program controls environment
• Prior exposure to portfolio-level analytics and benchmarking
• Familiarity with JLL PDS standards, controls, and governance frameworks
• Experience supporting innovation or industrialized construction initiatives

This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Estimated compensation for this position:

130,000.00 – 180,000.00 USD per year

This range is an estimate and actual compensation may differ. Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.

Location:

Remote –Atlanta, GA

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet all the requirements. We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!

Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth:

JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits may include:

• 401(k) plan with matching company contributions

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care

• Paid parental leave at 100% of salary 

• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays

• Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay

At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you're pursuing.

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