Cost Manager

CBRE Asia Pacific; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

CBRE Asia Pacific in Dubai is seeking a seasoned Cost Manager to lead cost solutions for multi-disciplinary commercial fit-out projects in the UAE. You will drive feasibility, design cost planning, pre-tender estimates, and value engineering, ensuring budget adherence from initiation to closeout.

The role requires 5–8 years of relevant experience; a Bachelor's degree is preferred, with RICS accreditation preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree preferred with 5-8 years of relevant experience in consultancy and UAE.
• RICS accreditation preferred.
• Experience in staffing, training, development, mentoring and performance management.
• Ability to lead sensitive information exchanges and set performance expectations.
• Strong leadership to motivate cross-disciplinary teams.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Excellent organizational skills and an inquisitive mindset.
• Intermediate math skills for complex cost calculations.

Responsibilities

• Cost planning and estimation across feasibility through project closeout.
• Prepare Bills of Quantities and pre-tender estimates; value engineering.
• Manage cost reporting, change orders, and contractor claims.
• Lead cost management for multi-discipline fit-out projects in the UAE.
• Produce concept-level estimates for feasibility studies and business cases.
• Develop and present budgets for pre-bid and pre-construction work.
• Support funding documents and leasing cost implications with client.
• Coordinate tender analysis, bid responses, and data reporting.
• Maintain cost plans aligned with master schedule and cash flow.
• Reconcile estimates, review invoices, and attend design/commercial meetings.

Skills

Cost management

Budget management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Microsoft Office

Analytical thinking

Communication

Financial analysis

UAE experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

RICS accreditation

Tools

None

Job description

About The Role

As a CBRE Cost Manager, you will be leading individual multi-disciplined commercial fit-out projects cost solutions for clients with direct accountability for cost management delivery in the UAE.

This job is part of the Project Management function. They are responsible for the management of projects from initiation through completion.

What You'll Do

• Feasibility, concept, schematic and detailed design cost planning and estimating, Bills of Quantities preparation and Pre-Tender Estimates, Value Engineering, Monthly Cost Reports, tender services incl preparation of Instruction to Tenders, Appendix to Tenders, Particular Conditions, tender analysis, negotiations and recommendations, contract document preparation, attendance of design and commercial meetings.


• Commercial Contract Administration incl re-measurement, interim and final account payment application assessments, Monthly Cost Reports, variations, contractors claims, Provisional Sums, Prime Costs, Nominated Sub-Contractors, insurances and bonds management, attendance of design and commercial meetings etc. Manages all facets of cost management (budget, schedule, procurement, quality & risk) for individual commercial fit-out projects throughout planning, design, construction, occupancy, and closeout.


• Produce concept level estimates to aid feasibility studies and assist with business cases, leveraging a range of information from simple internal benchmarking to detailed market data and estimates taken from drawings and specifications. Issue recommendations for the application of an estimator to produce costing of greater detail; incorporate estimator into project team - manage performance of estimating tasks/deliverables.


• Evaluate project scope and client needs to develop and present recommended budgets for necessary pre-bid and pre-construction cost estimating and cost planning services. Partner with project team to source and oversee the pre-bid and pre-construction services associated with the development of a project budget and cost plan.


• Lead the administration associated with funding all project work, including creation of funding documents in use by the client (such as purchase orders or Capital funding requests). Work with client and Project Manager to ensure compliance with these systems; promote proactive creation/submission of all necessary funding documents to ensure all project work is funded in compliance with Client's internal funding policies.


• Support project manager and leasing team to estimate costs associated with the lease (upfit, abatement, reinstatement, etc.) to optimize landlord contribution/tenant improvement allowances on behalf of the Client. Ensure contracts with project team (designers, contractors) include language aligned with lease requirements for the solicitation of all landlord contributions.


• Support project manager team in the implementation of all project procurement in accordance with CBRE corporate policies and guidelines; make recommendations on the project procurement strategy. Lead the analysis of bid/tender responses, leveling all responses and organizing the data into a concise yet thorough report for presentation to the Client. Include recommendations for items such as allowances, contingencies, and reserves.


• Create and manage a detailed cost plan; produce and maintain detailed cost reports on a regular basis and produce and maintain detailed cost reports on a regular basis and present these reports to the Client. Align cost plan with project master schedule; provide cost guidance and direction to achieve cost goals with scope/schedule. Establish strategy to manage cash flows and project accruals and report progress in a manner consistent with CBRE policy yet flexible to adapt to client's needs/systems.


• Promote Value Engineering (VE) as a continual process to be implemented throughout the duration of the project and where necessary lead (or support if lead by Project Manager) Value engineering workshops, exercises and provide ideas and initiatives to add value. Act as a resource for implementing best practices to optimize the outcome of all VE efforts including tools, reports and goals - track/report progress against cost savings and value to fee targets.


• Reconcile all estimates and change orders; scrutinize, analyze and perform due diligence on all change orders; lead reconciliation meetings with General Contractors, Construction Managers and third-party consultancies. Update cost plan/report accordingly and advise project team of cost risk mitigation strategies required to main cost compliance; advise project team and Client of high‑risk cost issues.


• Assist the Client and design team with life cycle costing of LEED/sustainability initiatives (as appropriate).


• Review all invoices against cost plan; provide valuation services in collaboration with the client and the project manager.


• Review and approve all requests to apply costs toward allowances, contingencies and reserves; update cost plan accordingly.


• Support cost/budget aspects of the project closeout; negotiate, agree and settle final accounts and close‑out statements. Issue release of all withholdings/retainage (subject to CBRE approval limits); close all funding approvals in accounting systems (purchase orders).


• Capture project costs for contribution to CBRE cost benchmarking/estimating databases and tools.


• Other duties as assigned.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor's Degree preferred with 5 - 8 years of relevant experience. In lieu of a degree, a combination of experience (in a Consultancy and in the UAE) and education will be considered.


• RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) accreditation preferred


• Experience in the areas of staffing, selection, training, development, coaching, mentoring, measuring, appraising, and rewarding performance and retention is preferred.


• Ability to lead the exchange of sensitive, complicated, and difficult information, convey performance expectations and handle problems.


• Leadership skills to motivate the team to achieve broad operational targets with impacts on own job discipline, multiple job disciplines, and department.


• In-depth knowledge of Microsoft Office products. Examples include Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.


• Extensive organizational skills and an advanced inquisitive mindset.


• Intermediate math skills. Ability to calculate complicated figures such as percentages, fractions, and other financial‑related calculations.

Why CBRE

When you join CBRE, you become part of the global leader in commercial real estate services and investment that helps businesses and people thrive. We are dynamic problem solvers and forward‑thinking professionals who create significant impact. Our collaborative culture is built on our shared values - respect, integrity, service and excellence - and we value the diverse perspectives, backgrounds and skillsets of our people. At CBRE, you have the opportunity to chart your own course and realize your potential. We welcome all applicants.

Applicant AI Use Disclosure

We value human interaction to understand each candidate's unique experience, skills and aspirations. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make hiring decisions, and we ask that candidates disclose any use of AI in the application and interview process.

OUR VALUES IN HIRING

At CBRE, we are committed to fostering a culture where everyone feels they belong. We value diverse perspectives and experiences, and we welcome all applications.