Cost Control Manager, Mission Critical

ARCO; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ARCO is seeking a Cost Manager to oversee project cost management and financial controls for complex construction projects from preconstruction through closeout. You will collaborate with Project Managers, Superintendents, Finance, and clients to establish budgets, monitor performance, forecast final costs, and identify risks.

The ideal candidate has strong construction cost-control experience and can translate financial information into actionable guidance for project leadership, ensuring sound

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Five+ years in construction cost control or project controls roles.
• Experience with Procore required.
• Experience with complex construction projects (design-build, EPC, infrastructure, data centers, etc).
• Strong understanding of budgets, forecasting, change management, and cost reporting.
• Ability to interpret contracts, drawings, schedules, and cost data.
• Advanced Excel and ERP experience.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain project budgets, cost codes, work breakdown structures, and cost-control procedures.
• Track commitments, actual costs, accruals, and projected expenditures; prepare monthly cost reports and cash-flow forecasts.
• Support earned-value reporting, dashboard creation, and executive-level cost reporting.

Skills

Cost control

Forecasting

Budgeting

Excel advanced

Cost reporting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management/related

Equivalent experience considered

Tools

Procore

Construction ERP

Job description

WHY ARCO

Ready to experience a better way to build your career?

ARCO hires only the best and brightest dedicated to providing our clients with superior solutions, cultivating our award-winning workplace culture, and driving success at all levels of the business.

We are adding a Cost Manager to help oversee project cost management and financial controls for complex construction projects from preconstruction through closeout. Because ARCO is committed to creating opportunities for individual success, from day one, you will be given the tools to excel in your role, take on meaningful responsibilities, and experience why ARCO is truly the best place to build a career.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Cost Manager will oversee project cost management and financial controls for complex construction projects from preconstruction through closeout. This role will partner closely with Project Managers, Superintendents, Preconstruction, Finance, subcontractors, vendors, and clients to establish budgets, monitor performance, forecast final costs, identify risks, and support sound project decisions.

The ideal candidate has strong construction cost-control experience and can translate financial information into clear, actionable guidance for project leadership.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

COST MANAGEMENT AND FORECASTING

• Establish and maintain project budgets, cost codes, work breakdown structures, and cost-control procedures.
• Track commitments, actual costs, accruals, and projected expenditures.
• Prepare monthly cost reports, forecasts, cash-flow projections, and estimates at completion.
• Analyze budget-to-actual performance, cost variances, trends, exposures, and project profitability.
• Identify cost risks early and recommend corrective actions to project leadership.
• Support project teams with cost-to-complete analysis and financial decision-making.
• Review project financial data for accuracy, completeness, and proper period accounting.

PROJECT CONTROLS AND REPORTING

• Manage project-control processes for cost, schedule, procurement, and reporting.
• Coordinate cost information with project schedules and progress measurement.
• Support earned-value reporting, productivity tracking, and performance analysis where applicable.
• Prepare dashboards, presentations, and executive-level reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate project documentation and reporting records.
• Provide timely updates on financial performance, risks, opportunities, and required decisions.

BILLING AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT

• Review subcontractor payment applications, invoices, commitments, and supporting documentation for accuracy and compliance with contract terms.
• Coordinate with Project Managers, Superintendents, Finance, and subcontractors to resolve billing discrepancies and maintain timely payment processing.
• Track potential and approved changes, including scope, pricing, schedule, and risk impacts.
• Evaluate change-order documentation and confirm approved changes are incorporated into project budgets, forecasts, commitments, and cost reports.
• Support subcontract buyout, contract administration, claims documentation, and change-order negotiations as needed.
• Maintain accurate billing and change-management records throughout the project lifecycle.

NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Five or more years of experience in construction cost control, project controls, project accounting, commercial management, or a related function.
• Experience with Procore required
• Experience with general contracting, design-build, EPC, infrastructure, industrial, data center, or other complex construction projects.
• Strong understanding of construction budgets, forecasting, subcontractor costs, change management, commitments, accruals, and project financial reporting.
• Ability to interpret construction contracts, drawings, specifications, schedules, and cost information.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with construction ERP, project-management, or cost-control systems.

MAKE YOUR MOVE

We are proud to be one of the fastest-growing, privately-owned companies in America, celebrating over 30 years of experience as design-build experts. We have completed over 7,500 design-build projects nationwide. We ranked #9 on ENR’s Design-Build Firms list and #34 on ENR's Top 400 Contractors list of 2026. Most importantly, our clients like us, trust us, and want to do business with us. We are looking for people with the same enthusiasm, passion, and respect for the hard work that brought us to where we are today. Are you a person who can make a difference at ARCO? If the answer is “Yes!” we look forward to meeting you.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

EOE, including disability/vets