Cost Manager, Real Estate & Construction Projects

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 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.