Associate Director, Cost Management (Data Centers)

cumminggroup; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Cumming Group in Chicago seeks an Associate Director in Cost & Commercial Management to lead the cost leadership on major projects. You will oversee the team, manage budgets and billing, and develop client relationships.

The role emphasizes value engineering, risk assessment, and expansion of services across lines. Candidates should have 6–12 years' experience, professional accreditation and a BS in construction or related field.

Qualifications

• BS in Construction, Cost & Commercial Management, Engineering, or related field.
• 6–12 years in Cost & Commercial Management or Quantity Surveying with professional accreditation.
• MRICS, AssocRICS, CCP, CEP, CPE or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee client communications with the project management and Cost & Commercial Management team.
• Lead the Cost & Commercial Management team on projects.
• Prepare fee proposals and manage service agreements.
• Manage monthly budgets and project expenditures.
• Develop staff through coaching and mentoring; recruit and retain talent.
• Identify opportunities for new revenue and expand client base.

Skills

Team leadership

Cost management

Client relationship management

Budget tracking

Fee proposal development

Education

MRICS certification

Construction degree

Job description

At Cumming Group, you will work on some of the world's most exciting projects in a dynamic environment where your success is measured by the impact you make. We are one of the fastest-growing project and cost management consultancies in the United States, as reflected in our top 15 rankings in ENR. With over 70 offices globally, an extremely diverse project portfolio, and double-digit year-over-year revenue growth, the opportunities to make your mark are limitless!

The Associate Director in the Cost & Commercial Management department assembles and supervises the Cost & Commercial Management team on assigned projects. This position also prepares Fee Proposals, negotiates Professional Services Agreements, and prepares and provides quality assurance to project cost estimates. The Associate Director provides organic business development, has trust from internal and external stakeholders and is recognized as a key point of contact for our clients.

We are looking for a Cost leader/Quantity Surveyor with strong MEP or data center Project Management experience in Chicago.

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Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee a large client by supervising the appropriate communications with the client management and Cost & Commercial Management team.
• Promote opportunities for repeat business and create highly favorable references through performance excellence and client relationship management.
• Maintain monthly project budgets for current and forecasted expenditures.
• Responsible for monthly billing and projections.
• Lead the development of staff through supervision, training, coaching, and mentoring. Supporting recruitment and talent acquisition.
• Fee proposal development & management.
• Coordinate with other business units to provide a seamless integrated service delivery approach.
• Provide mentorship and training to team members in understanding methods of measurement, construction technology, contracts, and delivery methods.
• Participate in industry events.
• Develop new or existing client relationships and generate new revenue.
• Responsible for business management of the areas assigned including maintaining revenue and margins.
• Meet business development goals assigned by manager including meeting fee revenue and profitability targets. Generates fee revenue as set by manager.
• Demonstrates ability to successfully sell services across service lines working with service line leaders.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Attendance at work during normal business hours.

Knowledge & Skills Required

• Manage and monitor team members' activity in alignment with organizational goals.
• Delegate providing clear instructions and ongoing feedback.
• Monitor metrics and course correct as necessary while holding self and others accountable.
• Provide feedback to senior leaders and clearly communicate organizational direction to team members.
• Build relationships with key internal resources (peers, direct reports, & senior leaders).
• Create development opportunities and plan for direct reports and teams; provide ongoing feedback.
• Ability to begin to move from task focused to more business mentality.
• Demonstrate leadership traits and represent company values in a client facing capacity.
• Provide Value Engineering solutions to clients by identifying opportunities for savings and ensuring material substitutions are equal.
• Proven business development skills that have grown current market over the past year.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Education: BS in Construction, Cost & Commercial Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or related field
• Experience: 6 to 12 years in Cost & Commercial Management or Quantity Surveying with professional accreditation
• Preferred Certification: Professional accreditation - MRICS, AssocRICS, CCP, CEP, CPE or equivalent

Cumming Group is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity in its personnel policies and practices. It is Cumming Group's policy to recruit, hire, train and promote Team Members and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, marital status, registered domestic partner status, genetic information, sexual preference, sexual orientation, gender (including gender expression and gender identity), pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions, including breastfeeding), military service, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical disability, mental disability, veteran status or any other protected classification under federal, state, or local law. All such decisions are based on (1) individual merit, qualifications, and competence as they relate to the particular position, and (2) promotion of the principle of equal employment opportunity.

All other terms and conditions of employment, such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoff, return from layoff, training, education, and social and recreational programs, are administered without regard to the characteristics described above. To this end, Cumming Group complies with all provis