Commissioning Manager

Rider Levett Bucknall RLB; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) is seeking a seasoned Cost Manager to oversee cost control, forecasting, and value engineering across complex projects in Kansas City. You will validate invoices, manage procurement, and drive cost performance while coordinating with owners, designers, and constructors.

The role demands deep understanding of MEP systems, commissioning processes, and strong leadership to deliver value and align with client objectives from inception through closeout.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in construction-related field required or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 12 years of construction or commissioning experience.
• Minimum 10 years direct commissioning experience on mission critical projects.
• Strong cost management principles and contract administration.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Review project scope, design docs, and deliverables to align with owner requirements and standards.
• Oversee commissioning specs, plans, checklists, and testing protocols for building systems.
• Represent owner interests during site visits, commissioning activities, and inspections.
• Coordinate functional performance testing to meet milestones and operational goals.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation and closeout deliverables.
• Facilitate communication among owners, designers, contractors, and commissioning teams.
• Lead planning and verification of system testing programs (NETA, SCADA, controls, life safety).

Skills

Cost management

Project management

Excel

Communication

Leadership

Problem solving

Documentation

Education

Bachelors in Construction Management

Bachelors in Electrical/Mechanical Eng

QS/Construction Management degree preferred

Tools

NETA testing

SCADA

Job description

Title: Cost Manager

Reporting to: Office Director

Overview of the Role

The Commissioning Manager provides cost management services, including invoice validation, cost forecasting and reporting, change management, close-out administration, procurement management, earned value, and value engineering. They should be able to identify opportunities within a project that add value and help successfully achieve the client’s desired project outcome.

The Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor is responsible for supporting senior members of staff and delivering comprehensive cost management services throughout the project lifecycle. This role ensures effective financial control, value optimization, and alignment with client objectives from project inception through closeout.

Essential Functions

• Review project scope, design documentation, and technical deliverables to ensure alignment with owner requirements, project objectives, and industry standards; provide detailed recommendations for risk mitigation and performance optimization.
• Oversee the development and implementation of commissioning specifications, plans, checklists, and testing protocols for collection, control, and related building systems.
• Represent owner interests during site visits, commissioning activities, and inspections by monitoring progress, validating quality, and providing technical guidance to project stakeholders.
• Coordinate and oversee functional performance testing activities, ensuring commissioning plans, schedules, and execution strategies meet project milestones and operational goals.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including issue logs, lessons learned, meeting minutes, field observations, commissioning reports, and project closeout deliverables.
• Facilitate communication among owners, designers, contractors, and commissioning teams to support construction coordination, resolve technical issues, and drive project success.
• Partner with project teams and leadership to verify project scope, performance criteria, and operational requirements while fostering collaborative relationships across all stakeholders.
• Lead planning, oversight, and verification of system testing programs, including NETA, SCADA, controls, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, life safety, and operational readiness testing; chair stakeholder meetings, monitor project performance, and ensure successful system turnover and occupancy readiness.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a positive, proactive approach to the role and be committed to delivering customer service excellence and strong commercial results.

• Bachelor´s Degree in Construction Management, electronical or mechanical engineering, or a relevant field.
• Minimum 12 years of construction or commissioning related experience.
• Minimum 10 years direct experience in commissioning MEP systems in a hyperscale data center or mission critical projects.
• Experience managing project teams, managing end-to-end commissioning for a minimum of three mission critical projects and construction scheduling, cost and resource management.
• Minimum Education (or substitute experience) required: 4-year Degree in Quantity Surveying (QS), Construction Management, or a related field is preferred but not mandatory, or a related field, plus four years or relevant experience.
• Strong understanding of cost management principles, construction methods, and contract administration
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Must be highly articulate, have clear and analytical approach to problem solving, and strong decision-making abilities
• Must have people management experience
• Must have excellent communication and presentation skills
• Must thoroughly understand and utilize Excel

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Indoor office environment. May require work on site location when necessary.
• Equipment used includes computers and standard office machines.
• Essential physical tasks include: the ability to work on a computer and the ability to answer and speak on a telephone.

RLB is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This company does not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices based on race, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hiring, transferring and promotion practices are performed without regard to the above listed items.