Associate Director - Cost Management

Actalent; United States; Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) program

Udemy learning platform

Discount programs

360-degree performance review

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an Associate Director – Cost Management in Chandler, AZ. This role leads a cost management team on a multi-billion-dollar manufacturing construction program, overseeing budgeting, forecasting, estimating and commercial oversight.

The role focuses on robust project controls, financial performance, and strategic guidance with clients, contractors, and project leadership in fast-paced environments.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of construction cost management experience.
• Experience with large-scale semiconductor or advanced manufacturing projects.
• Proven track record managing capital project cost controls over $500M.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, and change management skills.
• Excellent communication with clients and contractors.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of cost management professionals across the program.
• Oversee budgeting, estimating, forecasting, and reporting for large construction programs.
• Monitor costs, risks, and forecasts to align with budgets and schedules.
• Provide financial insights and strategic recommendations to clients and leadership.
• Support procurement, bid analyses, and contract administration.
• Drive continuous improvement in cost controls and reporting.

Skills

Cost management

Budgeting

Forecasting

Estimating

Contract administration

Financial oversight

Team leadership

Excel proficiency

Stakeholder management

Education

PMP

CCP

MRICS

PQS

EPC/EPCM credentials

Tools

On-Screen Takeoff

Estimating software

Excel

Cost management software

Project controls software

Job description

Job Title: Associate Director – Cost Management

Job Description

The Associate Director – Cost Management will play a key leadership role in delivering a large-scale advanced manufacturing construction program. This position oversees all project cost management activities and leads a team of cost professionals responsible for budgeting, forecasting, estimating, and commercial oversight on a multi-billion-dollar capital project. The role focuses on implementing robust project controls, managing financial performance, and providing strategic commercial guidance across complex semiconductor and advanced technology construction environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of cost management and commercial professionals, establishing best practices and consistent project controls standards across the program.
• Oversee the full spectrum of cost management activities, including budgeting, estimating, forecasting, cost reporting, and financial performance for large-scale construction programs.
• Monitor project costs, risks, change orders, and forecasts to ensure alignment with approved budgets, schedule, and delivery objectives.
• Serve as a key partner to clients, contractors, and project leadership, providing clear financial insights, commercial guidance, and strategic recommendations to support decision-making.
• Support procurement and contract administration activities, including commercial strategy development, bid analysis, and negotiation support.
• Lead and manage change management processes, ensuring that scope changes are properly evaluated, documented, and reflected in budgets, forecasts, and contracts.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in cost management and project controls, enhancing reporting capabilities, tools, and processes to support organizational growth and operational excellence.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and transparent cost reporting to stakeholders, including regular updates on budget status, forecast variances, and risk exposure.
• Collaborate closely with project management and construction management teams to align cost strategies with construction delivery methods and overall project execution plans.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance within the cost management function, supporting work-life balance while meeting high-volume commercial construction demands.

Essential Skills

• At least 10 years of experience in construction cost management, estimating, project controls, quantity surveying, or commercial management.
• Proven experience supporting large-scale semiconductor, advanced technology, mission-critical, manufacturing, or industrial construction projects.
• Demonstrated track record managing cost controls on capital projects exceeding $500 million in value.
• Strong background in budgeting, forecasting, estimating, change management, contract administration, and financial oversight for construction projects.
• Experience leading teams of project controls, cost management, or commercial professionals in complex project environments.
• Deep understanding of construction delivery methods and project controls systems, including cost management best practices for large programs.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with clients, contractors, and internal project leadership.
• Hands-on experience as an estimator, cost consultant, cost manager, or quantity surveyor in construction.
• Strong proficiency in Excel for high-volume commercial construction cost analysis, reporting, and forecasting.
• Ability to manage project budgets, perform bid analysis, and support project and construction management activities.
• Knowledge of contracts and commercial terms relevant to large construction projects.
• Ability to work effectively in fast‑paced, high‑volume commercial construction environments and maintain accuracy under pressure.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting semiconductor fabrication facilities, cleanroom construction, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, CCP, MRICS, PQS, or similar industry credentials.
• Knowledge of CSA (Civil, Structural, Architectural) and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) scopes and how they impact cost and commercial strategy.
• Experience working within EPC, EPCM, design‑build, or integrated project delivery environments.
• Advanced proficiency with cost management, estimating, and project controls software platforms.
• Knowledge of On‑Screen Takeoff or similar estimating software tools.
• Strong project management and construction management acumen, with the ability to integrate cost strategies into broader project execution plans.
• Ability to communicate clearly, collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, and build strong relationships in a consulting environment.
• Interest in ongoing professional development, supported by access to continuous learning platforms and structured review programs.

Work Environment

This is a salaried position designed around a standard 40‑hour workweek, with a strong emphasis on promoting work‑life balance. The role is hybrid, requiring a minimum of four days per week onsite at a semiconductor construction facility in Chandler, AZ, working in a highly collaborative advanced manufacturing environment. The position sits within an owner’s representative consulting context with a global presence, offering exposure to large‑scale, cutting‑edge semiconductor and cleanroom projects. Team members have access to comprehensive benefits, including paid time off (vacation, holiday, and sick), medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) program, and ongoing education through platforms such as Udemy after an initial period. Additional perks may include discount programs and a structured 360‑degree review process that supports career growth and performance feedback. The environment is professional, team‑oriented, and focused on operational excellence in high‑volume commercial construction, with regular use of cost management, project controls, and estimating software alongside advanced Excel‑based reporting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chandler, AZ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $76.92 - $81.73/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long‑term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Chandler,AZ.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 2, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.