Cost Manager, Real Estate and Construction

Savills North America; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Savills North America is seeking a Cost Manager to support a diverse portfolio of real estate and construction projects within the Program & Project Management group. You will contribute to cost planning, procurement support, and project controls while gaining exposure to multiple project types and client-facing responsibilities.

The role offers mentorship from senior leaders and opportunities to develop independent responsibility over time.

Qualifications

• 3–6 years of experience in cost management, estimating, or quantity surveying.
• Foundational understanding of construction industry practices and procurement methods.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and scopes of work.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and basic takeoff/estimating tools.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments with guidance from senior staff.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing cost estimates across design phases using quantity takeoffs, historical data, and benchmarking.
• Support preparation and maintenance of cost models, budget baselines, and early-phase cost planning tools.
• Assist with procurement activities including vendor prequalification, bid package reviews, and bid leveling.
• Participate in value engineering exercises and prepare cost comparison analyses.
• Review contractor and consultant pricing submissions and provide summary feedback.
• Support GMP reviews and commercial evaluations under senior guidance.
• Maintain project cost reports including budgets, forecasts, and cash flows.
• Track change orders and support evaluation of cost and scope impacts.
• Help maintain risk registers and identify potential cost exposures.
• Support cost control workflows and documentation standards.
• Maintain contingency logs and cost tracking tools.
• Support senior team members in day-to-day cost management activities.
• Participate in client and project meetings and prepare cost-related documentation.
• Assist in preparing cost plans, estimate summaries, and reporting materials.
• Coordinate with project managers, design teams, and contractors on cost-related items.
• Participate in design reviews and identify potential cost impacts.
• Assist in managing financial closeout activities and final account documentation.
• Support preparation of lessons learned and project cost summaries.
• Contribute to benchmarking and historical cost database development.

Skills

Cost management

Cost estimation

Excel proficiency

Project coordination

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Quantity Surveying

Engineering

Tools

Procore

Bluebeam

Cost modeling tools

Job description

Savills is an organization full of extraordinary individuals. Brilliant people who are driven to succeed, hungry to remain at the forefront of their specialties, and eager to propel themselves, our clients, and our business forward. We are one of the preeminent commercial real estate firms with services ranging from tenant representation and project management to workplace strategy and occupant experience - showcasing the breadth and depth of our expertise.

Find your place to thrive.

No matter the role you’re in, we all share one purpose: to help people thrive through places and spaces. The DNA ingrained in our business guides us on this mission, shaping the way we behave to deliver the best results. When you join Savills, our ask for you is simple:

Be extraordinary, together.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a motivated Cost Manager to support a diverse portfolio of real estate and construction projects within the Savills Program & Project Management (PPM) group. This role is ideal for a developing professional with strong foundational experience who is looking to expand their cost management expertise within a collaborative team environment, with mentorship from experienced industry leaders and exposure to significant real estate and construction initiatives.

You will work closely with Directors and senior team members, contributing to project delivery through cost planning, procurement support, and project controls. The position offers exposure to multiple project types and opportunities to build client-facing experience while developing independent responsibility over time.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in developing cost estimates across design phases using quantity takeoffs, historical data, and benchmarking
• Support preparation and maintenance of cost models, budget baselines, and early-phase cost planning tools
• Assist with procurement activities including vendor prequalification, bid package reviews, and bid leveling
• Participate in value engineering exercises and prepare cost comparison analyses
• Review contractor and consultant pricing submissions and provide summary feedback
• Support GMP reviews and commercial evaluations under senior guidance

Cost Management & Project Controls

• Assist in maintaining project cost reports including budgets, forecasts, and cash flows
• Track change orders and support evaluation of cost and scope impacts
• Help maintain risk registers and identify potential cost exposures
• Support cost control workflows and documentation standards
• Maintain contingency logs and cost tracking tools

Project Coordination & Client Support

• Support senior team members in day-to-day cost management activities
• Participate in client and project meetings and prepare cost-related documentation
• Assist in preparing cost plans, estimate summaries, and reporting materials
• Coordinate with project managers, design teams, and contractors on cost-related items
• Participate in design reviews and identify potential cost impacts

Post-Contract & Closeout

• Assist in managing financial closeout activities and final account documentation
• Support preparation of lessons learned and project cost summaries
• Contribute to benchmarking and historical cost database development

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3–6 years of experience in cost management, estimating, or quantity surveying
• Foundational understanding of construction industry practices and procurement methods
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and scopes of work
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and basic takeoff/estimating tools
• Strong organizational and analytical skills
• Ability to manage multiple assignments with guidance from senior staff
• Effective written and verbal communication skills

PREFERRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Architecture, or related field
• Interest in pursuing professional accreditation (RICS, AACE, or equivalent)
• Experience across a variety of sectors, such as higher-education, commercial, hospitality, healthcare, corporate interiors, retail, industrial and manufacturing.
• Familiarity with tools such as Procore, Bluebeam, or similar platforms
• Prior exposure to client-facing or consulting environments

This role requires being in our New York City office or on a client site Monday–Thursday. Friday is remote unless project needs require otherwise.

Savills values a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Savills participates in the E-Verify program.