Cost Assurance Lead

City of Gold Coast; Gold Coast City; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9-day fortnight

Hybrid work options

Fitness Passport

Counselling services

Professional development

Job summary

The Cost Intelligence Team within Infrastructure Gold Coast, City of Gold Coast, seeks a Cost Assurance Lead to steer cost assurance across the project lifecycle. You will conduct independent reviews, assess estimates against scope and market conditions, and develop governance and best-practice processes for robust decision-making and value for money across major infrastructure investments.

You will lead, mentor estimators, and collaborate with senior stakeholders to improve cost certainty and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Demonstrated experience in a cost assurance or senior estimating role, with a track record of leading reviews and mentoring teams
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex cost data into clear, actionable insights for diverse stakeholders
• Knowledge of building trades, civil trades, and specialist trades relevant to municipal infrastructure measurement and pricing
• Proficiency with estimating software such as Cubit, and strong skills in Excel and Power BI
• Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and collaborate effective with cross-functional stakeholders at all levels

Responsibilities

• Lead independent cost assurance reviews across major infrastructure projects
• Validate estimates against scope, risks, market conditions, and industry benchmarks
• Provide clear, evidence-based advice to support investment and delivery decisions
• Develop and maintain cost assurance frameworks, governance, and guidelines
• Mentor and coach estimators, helping build capability across the team
• Collaborate with project delivery, engineering, procurement, and finance stakeholders
• Drive consistency, transparency, and best-practice cost management across the City's capital works program

Skills

Cost estimation leadership

Cost assurance

Stakeholder communication

Trades knowledge

Team mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or related field

Tools

Cubit

Excel

Power BI

Job description

The Cost Intelligence Team sits within Infrastructure Gold Coast's Infrastructure Delivery branch and is recognised as a centre of excellence for project cost management.

Our team brings together expertise across Cost Estimation, Cost Intelligence, and Cost Assurance, supporting evidence-based investment decisions across the City's infrastructure portfolio. Working alongside project managers, engineers, procurement specialists, and finance professionals, we provide the insights and governance that drive better project outcomes.

This is a collaborative, high-performing team where your expertise will be valued, your ideas welcomed, and your influence felt across the organisation.

About the role

As the Cost Assurance Lead, you will lead the City's cost assurance function across the entire project lifecycle, helping ensure robust decision-making and value for money on significant infrastructure investments.

You’ll conduct independent cost reviews, critically assess estimates against project scope and market conditions, and develop the frameworks, governance, and best-practice processes that underpin cost assurance across the organisation.

This is more than a technical role. You’ll be a key leader, mentoring estimators, driving continuous improvement, and partnering with senior stakeholders to improve cost certainty and project outcomes.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead independent cost assurance reviews across major infrastructure projects
• Validate estimates against scope, risks, market conditions, and industry benchmarks
• Provide clear, evidence-based advice to support investment and delivery decisions
• Develop and maintain cost assurance frameworks, governance, and guidelines
• Mentor and coach estimators, helping build capability across the team
• Collaborate with project delivery, engineering, procurement, and finance stakeholders
• Drive consistency, transparency, and best-practice cost management across the City's capital works program

We’re looking for people who have:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Demonstrated experience in a cost assurance or senior estimating role, with a track record of leading reviews and mentoring teams
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex cost data into clear, actionable insights for diverse stakeholders
• Knowledge of building trades, civil trades, and specialist trades relevant to municipal infrastructure measurement and pricing
• Proficiency with estimating software such as Cubit, and strong skills in Excel and Power BI
• Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and collaborate effective with cross-functional stakeholders at all levels

Be part of shaping the Gold Coast’s future

The Gold Coast is inspired by lifestyle and driven by opportunity. We are the second largest Council in Australia.

We care about being the most flexible government organisation in Australia. We have a range of benefits to help you create the right balance:

• 9-day fortnight
• Flexible work arrangements to suit your lifestyle, including hybrid/work from home options, flexible working hours and locations
• Personal and professional development courses
• Access to 350+ fitness facilities through Fitness Passport
• 4 free confidential counselling sessions a year for you or an immediate family member
• 1 free nutritionist and financial advice session per year

We pride ourselves on our shared mission of being a high-performing, customer-focused organisation which delivers value-for-money services to the community.

Closing Date

Sunday 27th September 2026 /11:59pm

Our selection process may include a one-way video interview via Criteria, a face-to-face or virtual interview via Microsoft Teams, reference checks via Xref and additional checks including police checks, employment history checks, qualification checks, pre-employment medical reviews and drug and alcohol testing.

We’re committed to creating a diverse workplace and inclusive culture. We take pride in people who align with our high-performance principles. We believe that the diverse makeup of our workforce reflects the community we serve. We consider all qualified candidates for employment, irrespective of race, age, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics by law.

Together we enhance the Gold Coast way of life

As Australia's second largest council, with over 5,000 passionate employees and constantly growing, the City of Gold Coast is a dynamic and diverse workplace. We offer career pathways across a multitude of industries, making us a place where you can carve your path and leave your mark on a city that shines.

We are more than just sun, sand, and surf. We're a vibrant community fuelled by the talents and perspectives of people from all walks of life. Here, success meets paradise, with a mix of innovation, community and breathtaking nature.

Join us to shape the future of one of the world's most dynamic cities.

Perks and benefits Working Hours Salary Sacrifice Provisions Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Leave Provisions Corporate Health Plan with Bupa and Medibank Access to over 350 fitness facilities via Fitness Study allowance provisions