Senior Cost Manager - Contract

Zenith Infotech; Singapore; On-site; SGD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Zenith Infotech is seeking a Senior Cost Manager in Singapore to independently manage cost planning, estimation, change management, invoice review, and cost reporting for assigned projects. You will lead risk assessment and contract administration while guiding junior team members and engaging with project leadership.

The role requires strong numerical and commercial skills, plus the ability to communicate with clients and project stakeholders across disciplines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of cost management experience.
• Proficiency in MS Office 365, especially Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
• Experience in cost plans, forecasts, change control, invoices, and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Own cost estimates, budgets, and forecasts for projects or major work packages.
• Lead value engineering and lifecycle costing exercises.
• Prepare and manage cost control reports, cash flow, and financial reporting.
• Manage change control, including change orders, commitments, invoices and cost impact assessments.
• Assess and manage commercial risks and provide cost recommendations to stakeholders.
• Coach junior Cost Managers and ensure consistent use of cost management templates and processes.

Skills

Cost management

Budgeting

Forecasting

Change management

Commercial reporting

Risk management

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying / Construction Management / Cost Management / Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

Job description

Role Overview

The successful candidate will independently manage cost management activities for assigned projects or major work packages, including cost planning, estimating, change management, invoice review, cost reporting, risk management, contract administration, and project close-out.

The Senior Cost Manager will act as a primary day-to-day cost management contact for project stakeholders, provide commercial recommendations, review the work of junior team members, and escal significant commercial risks to project leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the preparation and review of cost estimates, cost plans, budgets, and forecasts using project information, benchmarking data, and market intelligence.
• Lead value engineering and lifecycle costing exercises for assigned projects or work packages.
• Prepare, review, and manage cost control reports, forecasts, cash flow reporting, and other financial reporting.
• Manage project change control, including change orders, commitments, invoices, forecasts, and cost impact assessments.
• Review and assess change orders, invoices, quotations, and supporting documentation for commercial accuracy and contractual alignment.
• Identify, assess, and actively manage commercial and cost risks within assigned projects.
• Participate in and provide commercial input during pre-contract and post-contract discussions.
• Represent the cost management function in client, project, contractor, and design team meetings.
• Assess and communicate the cost impact of design changes, scope developments, procurement decisions, and project risks.
• Perform and review measurement, pricing research, benchmarking, development appraisals, and commercial analyses.
• Support commercial negotiations, contract administration, final accounts, and project close-out.
• Review the work and deliverables of Junior Cost Managers and provide day-to-day coaching and guidance.
• Ensure consistent use of project cost management templates, trackers, controls, and reporting processes.
• Independently resolve routine commercial issues and elevate significant risks or decisions to the Lead Cost Manager or project leadership.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent professional qualification, in one of the following or a related discipline:
  • Quantity Surveying
  • Construction Management
  • Cost Management
  • Engineering
  • Data Analytics with a construction or cost focus
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant cost management experience.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing cost plans, forecasts, change control, invoice reviews, and commercial reporting.
• Experience managing commercial risks and providing cost recommendations to project stakeholders.
• Strong numerical, analytical, commercial, and documentation skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, consultants, contractors, and project leadership.
• Ability to supervise and review junior team members and independently manage assigned projects or major work packages.