Director, Cost Management

Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated; City of Poughkeepsie (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Medical, Dental & Vision Care

Paid parental leave

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) is seeking a Project Controls Lead in Poughkeepsie, NY. This role involves establishing project controls functions and leading project activities to ensure successful project delivery.

You will transform scope briefs into comprehensive narratives, develop cost estimates, and manage a project controls team. The ideal candidate has 10-15 years of construction experience, expertise in cost estimating, and strong leadership skills.

Qualifications

• 10-15 years of construction industry experience with at least 5 years focused on project controls.
• Proven track record developing accurate cost estimates for complex commercial construction projects.
• Expertise using multiple cost databases and benchmarking tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead project controls activities and establish best practices.
• Develop comprehensive project definition frameworks.
• Create detailed project charters that define scope and budget.

Skills

Cost estimating

Project management

Team leadership

Construction means and methods

Analytical skills

Risk identification

Market intelligence

Cost databases

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Tools

OnScreen Takeoff

Bluebeam

CostX

Job description

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way. Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.

What this job involves

As Project Controls Lead at JLL, you will be an experienced professional establishing and leading our project controls function within Project & Development Services by transforming conceptual scope briefs into comprehensive, executable project narratives with accurate cost estimates that become the foundation for successful project delivery. This role requires deep construction industry experience, strong cost estimating capabilities across multiple databases and benchmarking tools, and proven people management skills while being accountable for delivering reliable project charters and budgets that the organization is committed to executing within. You’ll lead and oversee all project controls activities for the PDS portfolio, establishing standards and best practices while driving site assessments and translating high-level scope briefs into detailed, executable project narratives.

What your day-to-day will look like

• Lead and oversee all project controls activities for PDS portfolio, establishing standards and best practices while driving site assessments and translating high-level scope briefs into detailed, executable project narratives.
• Develop comprehensive project definition frameworks that set projects up for successful execution while establishing quality control processes ensuring consistency and accuracy across all project controls deliverables.
• Serve as subject matter expert on constructability, sequencing, logistics, and risk identification during planning phases while partnering with project managers, clients, and stakeholders to define project requirements and success criteria.
• Create detailed project charters that clearly define scope, approach, phasing, schedule, budget, risks, and success metrics while conducting thorough site assessments including existing conditions documentation, infrastructure evaluation, and constraint identification.
• Develop accurate, defensible cost estimates that serve as committed project budgets while utilizing multiple cost databases including JLL proprietary data, RS Means, regional cost indices, and industry benchmarks.
• Apply appropriate cost escalation factors, geographic multipliers, and market conditions to estimates while creating detailed cost breakdowns by CSI division, trade, or other relevant cost structures.
• Build, lead, and mentor project controls team ensuring high performance and professional growth while establishing clear expectations, workflows, and quality standards for team deliverables.
• Partner closely with PDS leadership to align project controls efforts with strategic objectives and client commitments while collaborating with project managers to ensure seamless handoff from project controls to execution.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, or related field
• 10-15 years of construction industry experience with at least 5 years focused on project controls, estimating, or cost consulting
• Proven track record developing accurate cost estimates for complex commercial construction and renovation projects
• Deep knowledge of construction means and methods, material costs, labor productivity, and market conditions
• Expertise using multiple cost databases and benchmarking tools including RS Means, JLL cost data, regional indices, and proprietary systems
• Experience managing teams with demonstrated ability to develop talent and drive performance
• Strong understanding of project delivery methods including design-bid-build, design-build, and construction management
• Ability to conduct site assessments and translate observations into constructability analysis and cost implications
• Excellent analytical skills with attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Proficiency in cost estimating software (OnScreen Takeoff, Bluebeam, CostX, or similar) and advanced Excel skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certifications such as CPE (Certified Professional Estimator), CCE (Certified Cost Engineer), PMP, or CCM
• Experience in corporate real estate, tenant improvements, or occupied building renovations
• Background in quantity surveying or cost consulting
• Familiarity with BIM and model-based estimating
• Experience with Procore, e-Builder, or other project management platforms
• Knowledge of sustainable building practices and associated cost implications
• Understanding of value engineering analysis and cost optimization strategies
• Experience with cost variance analysis and lessons learned integration
• Market intelligence capabilities including construction market conditions and pricing trends
• Understanding of financial implications balancing cost, quality, schedule, and risk

This position does not provide visa sponsorship

This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Estimated compensation for this position

150,000.00 – 210,000.00 USD per year

Location

On-site –Armonk, NY, Poughkeepsie, NY

Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth

• 401(k) plan with matching company contributions
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care
• Paid parental leave at 100% of salary
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay

At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you're pursuing.

Jones Lang LaSalle (“JLL”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at [e-mail]. This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page.

Pursuant to the Arizona Civil Rights Act, criminal convictions are not an absolute bar to employment. Pursuant to Illinois Law, applicants are not obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest.

Pursuant to Columbia, SC ordinance, this position is subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.

California Residents only If you are a California resident as defined in the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) please view our Supplemental Privacy Statement which describes your rights and disclosures about your personal information.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, JLL will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

We help our people thrive, grow meaningful careers and find a place where they belong.

Together, we strive to be exceptional and shape a better world.

For over 200 years, JLL (NYSE: JLL), a leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, has helped clients buy, build, occupy, manage and invest in a variety of commercial, industrial, hotel, residential and retail properties. A Fortune 500® company with operations in over 80 countries around the world, our employees bring the power of a global platform combined with local expertise. Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, people and communities SEE A BRIGHTER WAYSM. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.