Associate Director - Cost Consultancy

Mace; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Mace is seeking an experienced cost consultant in New York, NY, to lead cost planning, budgeting and procurement strategy across complex projects. You will manage contract administration, value engineering and client reporting, while guiding teams and developing professional capacity.

The role emphasizes sustainable project delivery, risk management and collaboration with stakeholders to achieve strategic outcomes for high-value programs.

Qualifications

• Proven cost planning and budgeting experience across complex projects.
• Degree in Quantity Surveying or related field, or equivalent.
• MRICS/RICS qualification, progression towards fellowship.
• Knowledge of contract types, measurement methods, and frameworks.
• Strong analytical and commercial skills with clear recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Advise on procurement strategies and contract selection.
• Provide cost estimating and final cost plan presentations.
• Drive procurement process from prequalification to contract.
• Maintain internal and external relationships.
• Supervise contract documents, warranties, bonds, and licenses.
• Measure project valuations and cost checking.
• Deliver cost control reporting to stakeholders.
• Lead process improvements and transformational change.
• Oversee claims evaluation for delays and extra costs.
• Manage certificates of completion and final accounts.
• Lead large teams and coach performance.

Skills

Cost consultancy

Cost management

Cost planning

Budgeting

MRICS

Contract management

BIM knowledge

Sustainability focus

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Quantity Surveying degree

MRICS membership

Tools

CostX

Excel

Power BI

Job description

At Mace, our purpose is to redefine the boundaries of ambition. We believe in creating places that are responsible, bringing transformative impact to our people, communities, and societies across the globe. To learn more about our purpose, culture, and priorities, visit our strategy site. Within our consult business we harness our unique combination of leading-edge practical expertise and project delivery consultancy to unlock the potential in every project.

You’ll Responsible For

• Advises on procurement strategies and contract selection, writing and undertaking procurement reports.
• Provides expert technical/functional advice applying value management techniques at the outset of projects.
• Delivers estimating and cost planning activities to include ownership and presentation of the final cost plan.
• Drives procurement process, ensuring that all stages including prequalification, enquiry, analysis, selection and contract preparation are performed effectively.
• Develops & maintains a series of both internal and external relationships.
• Supervises preparation of contract documents, warranties, bonds and licenses to ensure formal execution by the appropriate parties.
• Accountable for the measurement of project valuations, ensuring cost checking and valuation work is managed effectively.
• Delivers and produces cost control and reporting services to present to stakeholders. Directs and manages costs associated with design changes, contract awards, construction activities and client charges.
• Delivers continuous improvements in processes through application of best practices and lessons learned. Drives transformational change.
• Oversees evaluation of claims for delay and additional costs made by external stakeholders.
• Directs the issue of certificate of making good defects and final completion in accordance with any requirements relating to completion, submissions and approvals.
• Manages certificates of practical completion ensuring that final accounts are negotiated and agreed.
• Manages a large team (or several terams) of direct reports, driving the appropriate behaviours to achieve success & key performance indicators (KPIs), including a continuous improvement culture.
• Provides performance management, technical & career development and coaching.
• Works collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition, and share responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.

You’ll Need To Have

• Demonstrable experience in cost consultancy and cost management across a variety of sectors and complex projects.
• Proven experience in cost planning, budgeting and estimating, with a strong understanding of project costs, timescales and associated delivery and commercial risks.
• Relevant degree in Quantity Surveying, Cost Management or a related discipline, or equivalent professional qualification.
• Professional membership such as MRICS/RICS or equivalent, ideally with progression towards fellowship or an equivalent senior professional status.
• Detailed knowledge and experience of different forms of contract, methods of measurement and contractual frameworks within the construction industry.
• Expert knowledge of Contract Administration and Contract Management, with the confidence to provide senior-level contractual and commercial advice.
• Strong knowledge of value engineering, life cycle costing and contract law, with the ability to apply these principles throughout the project lifecycle.
• Experience providing Capex versus Opex cost analysis and advice to support investment and project decision-making.
• Strong analytical and commercial skills, with the ability to interpret complex cost information and provide clear recommendations.
• Demonstrable commitment to client service excellence and delivery of high-quality cost consultancy services.
• Strong sector expertise and understanding of relevant industry best practice, standards and market requirements.
• Good knowledge of BIM techniques, digital tools and applications relevant to cost and commercial management.
• Comprehensive understanding of current industry priorities, including sustainability, social value and carbon reduction, and their impact on project and cost management.
• Relevant technical qualifications or certifications applicable to the project portfolio or sector.

Our values

Safety first - Going home safe and well: We champion a safe, diverse and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of wellbeing in every team. Client focus - Deliver on our promise: We own the quality of deliverables, strategic outcomes and build long term relationships with our clients. Integrity - Always do the right thing: We influence positive outcomes within our industry, while always aligning with our compliance obligations. Create opportunity - For our people to excel: We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop. Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organization. We are also open to discussing part time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable with-in the role.