Cost Manager

Rider Levett Bucknall; Ashburn (GA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Rider Levett Bucknall is seeking a Cost Manager to lead cost management, forecasting and reporting across the project lifecycle. The role emphasizes value optimization, change control, and strong collaboration with project teams to meet client objectives.

The successful candidate will provide cost estimates, manage cash flow, support procurement, and contribute to cost risk mitigation and reporting. A 4-year degree in QS/Construction Management is preferred, with solid Excel skills and effective

Qualifications

• Strong cost management principles and analytical approach.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Proficient in Excel and related cost-management tools.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed cost estimating, budgeting, and cost planning across all project phases.
• Prepares and issues periodic cost reports to senior technical staff for client submission.
• Reviews cash flow and communicates with senior staff; identifies risks and opportunities.
• Assist in change management: evaluation, negotiation, and approval of change orders.
• Administer and validate contractor and vendor invoices; support procurement activities (RFPs, bid evaluation, contract administration).
• Attend bi-weekly cost meetings with contractors and engineering teams.
• Support value engineering to optimize cost efficiency while maintaining scope.
• Ensure closeout documentation meets contractual requirements and client objectives.
• Understand client objectives and identify opportunities to add value.

Skills

Cost management

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Problem solving

Decision making

People management

Education

4-year degree in Quantity Surveying / Construction Management or related field

Tools

Excel

Job description

Title: Cost Manager

Reporting to: Office Director

Overview of the Role

The Cost Manager provides cost management services, including invoice validation, cost forecasting and reporting, change management, close-out administration, procurement management, earned value, and value engineering. The Cost Manager 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

Quantity Surveying – if your experience falls under this specialty, your duties will include:

• Perform detailed cost estimating, budgeting, and cost planning across all project phases
• Prepares and issues periodic cost reports to senior technical staff for review and submission to the client.
• Reviews the cash flow prepared by junior technical staff and issues to senior technical staff
• Identify and communicate cost risks and opportunities, recommending strategies to enhance project value
• With minimal supervision, assist in administering change management processes, including evaluation, negotiation, and approval of change order requests
• Assist with managing and validating contractor and vendor invoices and applications for payment. Support procurement activities, including preparation of RFP documentation, bid evaluation, and contract administration. Where applicable, provide overviews and reports to the client on contractor buyout of subcontract bid packages
• Attends the bi-weekly cost meetings to review procurement status and change order status with the contractors and engineering teams
• Support value engineering initiatives to optimize cost efficiency while maintaining quality and scope Review contractor and vendor closeout documentation to ensure compliance with contractual requirements and successful project completion. Contributes to team performance by collaboration and effective communication.
• Understand client project objectives and proactively identify opportunities to enhance value and support successful outcomes. Support overall team objectives by undertaking additional responsibilities and duties as required.

Essential Functions

Cost Estimating – if your experience falls under this specialty, your duties will include:

• Prepares and issues periodic cost reports to senior technical staff
• Preparation of construction-related cost estimates, cost plans, and cost strategies.
• Reviews the cash flow prepared by junior technical staff and issues to senior technical staff
• With minimal supervision, reviews all change orders in accordance with the client’s approval process
• Reviews all invoices for the project and ensures that junior technical staff code the invoices where applicable and forwards them to the client’s accounts payable department
• With minimal supervision, provides procurement services for the client, where applicable, for construction and engineering services, including preparing RFP and bid analysis
• Where applicable, overviews and reports to the client on contractor buyout of subcontract bid packages
• Attends the bi-weekly cost meetings to review procurement status and change order status with the contractors and engineering teamsWith minimal supervision, provides cost information on value engineering analysis
• With minimal supervision, carries out an earned value analysis of the project on a periodic basis
• Reviews the contractors close out administration and ensures that they meet their contractual requirements
• Contributes to team performance through collaboration and effective communication.
• Contributes to and understands the client's desired project outcomes, and identifies opportunities to add value to accomplish the desired outcomes.
• Adds to team effort by accomplishing other duties as assigned.

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

• 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.