Manager Cost Management

Wirrigan Group; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Wirrigan Group is seeking a Manager Cost Management to lead cost control, governance and advisory across diverse school design and construction projects. You will provide strategic advice, strengthen cost assurance and drive value for money with senior leadership and project teams.

As a qualified Quantity Surveyor, you will review costs, assess variations, benchmark data and develop consistent cost management frameworks and processes.

Qualifications

• Strong cost management and governance experience across large infrastructure projects.
• Experience developing or improving cost management frameworks and risk strategies.
• Proven ability to review costs, assess variations and benchmark data.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to lead a small team of Quantity Surveyors and work with senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation and continuous improvement of cost management frameworks across the project lifecycle.
• Prepare pre-tender estimates and review external cost plans.
• Assess progress claims and provide independent advice on costs and risks.
• Review project variations and ensure costs align with governance requirements.
• Conduct cost benchmarking, data analysis and reporting to senior leadership.

Skills

Cost management

Cost control

Governance

Stakeholder engagement

Cost benchmarking

Data analysis

Reporting tools

Leadership

Team leadership

Negotiation

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying

Job description

As a Manager Cost Management you will lead cost management, cost control and governance across a diverse portfolio of school design and construction projects.

This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified Quantity Surveyor with strong cost management, commercial governance and stakeholder engagement experience to provide strategic advice, strengthen cost assurance and drive value for money across major infrastructure projects.

Working closely with senior leadership, project teams, external Quantity Surveyors and builders, you will review project costs, assess variations, conduct cost benchmarking and develop consistent cost management frameworks, policies and processes.

Key responsibilities

Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of cost management frameworks, strategies, policies and processes across the project lifecycle.

Prepare pre-tender estimates, review external cost plans, assess progress claims and provide independent advice on project costs and financial risks.

Review and assess project variations, process variation endorsements and ensure costs are reasonable, justified and aligned with governance requirements.

Conduct cost benchmarking and data analysis, identify cost trends and risks, and prepare reports to support informed decision-making by senior leadership and project teams.

Lead a small team of Quantity Surveyors, provide expert advice to project teams and build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Key skills and experience

Degree-qualified Quantity Surveyor with substantial experience in cost management, quantity surveying or construction cost control.

Demonstrated experience developing or implementing cost management frameworks, governance processes and risk management strategies.

Strong experience in cost planning, pre-tender estimates, variation assessments, progress claims and reviewing external Quantity Surveyor or builder submissions.

Proven ability to undertake cost benchmarking, analyse project data, identify cost trends and prepare clear management reports using spreadsheets and reporting tools.

Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to lead a team, engage senior stakeholders and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred experience: Government, public infrastructure or large-scale construction projects.