Cost Manager

Cushman & Wakefield; Chennai District; On-site; INR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development opportunities

Promotion-from-within culture

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Job summary

A global real estate services company is seeking a Cost Manager in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The ideal candidate will manage all cost activities, including project budgeting and financial governance, ensuring compliance with investor requirements. Candidates should have a B.E./B.Tech in engineering and certifications such as Certified Cost Engineer. The role offers opportunities for career development, a supportive culture, and emphasizes diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Qualifications

• Lead post‑contract cost management and ensure compliance with contractual procedures.
• Act as primary interface with clients and project stakeholders.
• Implement value engineering and life‑cycle costing strategies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all cost and commercial management activities.
• Manage escrow accounts for investor-driven projects.
• Negotiate and close final accounts ensuring financial governance.

Skills

Project budgeting

Cost control

Value engineering

Financial governance

Advanced Excel

Project cost management tools

Education

B.E./B.Tech in Civil / Mechanical / Electrical Engineering

Certified Cost Engineer (CCE)

FIDIC Contract Management / Project Management Certification

Tools

MS Project

Job description

Cost Manager

Job Description Summary

This role oversees all cost and commercial management activities across the project lifecycle. Responsibilities include project budgeting, cost control, value engineering, billing verification, and financial governance. For investor-driven projects, the Cost Lead manages escrow accounts to ensure fund utilization aligns with RERA and investor requirements. Acting as a key liaison between the project, client, and finance teams, the role ensures accurate cash flow forecasting, cost reporting, and financial transparency, supporting informed decision-making and overall project profitability.

About the Role

• Lead post‑contract cost and commercial management, including interim applications, variation valuation, change management, and extension of time claims.
• Ensure strict compliance with contractual procedures, FIDIC/standard form contracts, and investor governance requirements.
• Act as the primary interface with clients, consultants, contractors, and project stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment.
• Drive the procurement process, including pre‑qualification, tendering, bid analysis, contractor selection, and contract finalization.
• Monitor and control post‑contract cost variances, perform cost checking and valuation, and prepare accurate monthly cost, estimate, tender, and procurement reports.
• Implement value engineering and life‑cycle costing strategies to optimize project costs and maximize investor value.
• Negotiate and close final accounts, ensuring financial governance, accountability, and investor confidence.
• Support pre‑contract activities to enhance risk management, budget planning, and project cost forecasting across the project lifecycle.

About You

• B.E./B.Tech in Civil / Mechanical / Electrical Engineering.
• Certifications (if applicable): Certified Cost Engineer (CCE), RICS, ICMA.
• FIDIC Contract Management / Project Management Certification.
• Advanced Excel, MS Project, or other project cost management tools.

Why join Cushman & Wakefield?

• Being part of a growing global company.
• Career development and a promotion-from‑within culture.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion.

We embrace diversity across race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or persons with disabilities or protected veteran status. We ensure DEI is part of our DNA as a global community.