Senior Cost Manager Director

MalaceHR is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Director to support complex construction and real estate projects in the Chicago market.

This senior-level position is focused heavily on cost management and project controls with responsibility for managing project costs through both pre-contract and post-contract phases. The ideal candidate will bring at least 10 years of experience in cost management estimating quantity surveying project controls or a closely related construction discipline.

This role will support multiple projects simultaneously and will require a strong understanding of construction methods procurement estimating budgeting risk management change management and project financial controls.

The successful candidate must also be highly client-facing and capable of delivering a polished white-glove level of service to senior stakeholders. The position is expected to begin without direct reports but may evolve into a broader team leadership role as the program grows.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead cost management and project controls activities across multiple concurrent construction 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 contingencies and financial reports.

• Perform conceptual estimating and AACE Level 15 cost evaluations .

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

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

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

• Provide value engineering analysis and design option reviews.

• Identify opportunities to improve project value and control costs without compromising scope quality or performance.

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

• Review contractor and subcontractor estimates proposals pricing and qualifications.

• Participate in contractor negotiations and commercial discussions.

• Review change orders and assess proposed changes for scope alignment cost impact and overall project implications.

• Support formal change management processes throughout the project lifecycle.

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

• Identify risks that may affect cost schedule scope or project delivery.

• Develop and monitor appropriate risk mitigation strategies.

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

• Prepare detailed project cost reports forecasts and executive-level updates.

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

• Conduct periodic project controls reviews and audits to identify deviations from established processes.

• Identify budget variances and recommend corrective actions.

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

• Stay current on construction market conditions escalation trends industry practices and emerging project controls methodologies.

• Apply subject matter expertise to improve cost management processes tools reporting and overall service delivery.

• Maintain and strengthen client relationships through proactive clear and professional communication.

• Navigate complex or sensitive conversations regarding budget project changes contractor performance and commercial matters.

• Provide a highly responsive customer-focused level of service.

• Support and mentor team members as the organization grows.

• Contribute to identifying and attracting strong cost management and project controls talent.

• Support business development efforts and the cultivation of existing and prospective client relationships as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors 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 Senior Cost Manager Estimator Quantity Surveyor Project Controls professional or similar construction-focused 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 labor materials equipment and project delivery.

• Ability to independently prepare and review detailed and conceptual construction estimates.

• Experience developing and maintaining project budgets cost plans and forecasts.

• Ability to perform AACE Level 15 cost evaluations.

• Experience with procurement tendering bid analysis contractor negotiations and commercial reconciliation.

• Experience reviewing contractor pricing subcontractor pricing and change orders.

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

• Ability to evaluate incomplete or evolving design information and appropriately qualify assumptions and unknowns.

• Strong analytical organizational and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to manage multiple large or complex projects simultaneously.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong executive-level client-facing and stakeholder-management capabilities.

• Ability to provide a professional white-glove customer experience.

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

• Ability and willingness to travel as required.

• 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 and quantity takeoff software.

• Experience utilizing construction cost databases and benchmarking tools.

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

• Previous leadership mentoring or team-development experience.

• Experience producing market intelligence case studies benchmarking reports or other client-facing cost management deliverables.