Cost Manager, Mission Critical

ARCO/Murray National Construction; Chicago, Downers Grove (IL, IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Traditional and Roth 401k

Tuition reimbursement for associates

Scholarship for associates’ children

Job summary

ARCO/Murray National Construction is seeking a Cost Manager to oversee project cost management and financial controls for complex construction projects from preconstruction through closeout.

You will partner with Project Managers, Superintendents, and finance to establish budgets, monitor performance, forecast final costs, identify risks, and support sound project decisions. The ideal candidate has strong cost-control experience and can translate financial information for leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Five or more years of experience in construction cost control, project controls, or related function.
• Experience with Procore required.
• Experience with general contracting, design-build, EPC, infrastructure, or other complex construction projects.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with construction ERP, project-management, or cost-control systems.

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, 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.

Skills

Cost control

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial reporting

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management

Tools

Procore

Construction ERP

Job description

Are you a passionate problem solver? Do you act with integrity and hold yourself and others to the highest standard? If the answer is, “Yes!” then we have an opportunity that will impress you. Who are we? We are ARCO, a Family of Construction Companies. At ARCO, every associate is empowered to drive their success.

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

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

We are dedicated to the well-being of our associates and are proud to be consistently recognized as a Best Place to Work. Our compensation and benefits package not only supports our associates and their families but benefits local communities and communities around the world.

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Traditional and Roth 401k
• Tuition reimbursement for associates
• Scholarship for associates’ children up to $28,000 per child
• 1-month paid sabbatical after every five years of employment, plus $5,000 for travel
• 1-week paid volunteer leave each year
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Paid parental leave
• Typical base compensation for the Cost Manager role is between $150,000.00 and $200,000.00. Candidates with extensive experience may exceed this range. In addition to base salary, the role is eligible to receive discretionary bonus compensation based on individual and company performance.

At ARCO, our first core value is to treat people fairly and do the right thing. We are committed to building and sustaining a culture that supports diversity and inclusion. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. From recruiting, training, and hiring practices to selecting our subcontractors, we understand that diversity of all those involved in the construction process enhances our ability to deliver the best solutions to our customers. We hire the best and the brightest from across the country – constructing a team of experts in architecture, design, engineering, project management, and business services.

This represents typical base compensation for the role. Candidates with extensive experience may exceed this range. In addition to base salary, the role is eligible to receive discretionary bonus compensation based on individual and company performance.

Pay Range

$150,000 - $200,000 USD

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.