Project Controls Cost Lead, Project & Development Services

Cushman & Wakefield; Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 111,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement savings plans

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield is seeking a Lead Project Controls Cost Lead to supervise cost management on large capital programs. The role coordinates inputs from multidisciplinary teams, mentors junior staff, and delivers strategic cost insights from initiation through closeout.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in a related field and 8+ years of experience in cost management, strong Excel skills, and proven client-facing capabilities across complex projects.

Qualifications

• Eight or more years of related experience in cost management on capital projects.
• Experience leading cost management or project controls on large, complex projects.
• Experience in matrixed project environments and multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency with cost management, reporting software, and advanced Excel.
• Strong written and verbal communication with clients and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Act as the project controls lead for large-scale, complex, or high-risk capital projects.
• Establish cost management programs, tools, processes, and procedures to support large capital projects.
• Coordinate and integrate inputs from contractors, consultants, engineering, and third parties into a comprehensive cost plan.
• Provide strategic cost guidance and recommendations to clients and project teams.
• Lead cost trend, variance, and performance analysis to inform decision-making.
• Drive accruals, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow reporting.
• Develop and lead earned value management practices on complex programs.

Skills

Leadership

Cost Management

Project Controls

Risk Management

Stakeholder Management

Communication

Strategic Thinking

Mentoring

Client Interaction

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or related field

Tools

Excel

Job description

Job TitleProject Controls Cost Lead, Project & Development ServicesJob Description SummaryThis Lead-level role acts as the project controls lead for large, complex, or high-risk capital projects and programs. The individual is responsible for coordinating all cost management activities, serving as the primary point of contact for project-level controls delivery, and partnering directly with clients, project leadership, and key stakeholders. The role provides leadership across cost management workstreams, ensuring consistent application of project controls standards while delivering strategic insights related to cost performance, forecasting, risk, and project outcomes.The Lead Cost Manager will drive the development and implementation of integrated cost management strategies from project initiation through closeout, coordinate inputs across project controls teams, and support delivery excellence across complex client engagements. This role represents a key transition point toward management responsibilities, providing oversight, mentoring, and leadership to project controls team members.Job DescriptionEssential Job DutiesAct as the project controls lead for large-scale, complex, or high-risk capital projects, serving as the primary point of contact for project-level cost management delivery.Establish and lead cost management programs, tools, technologies, processes, and procedures to support large capital projects and portfolios.Coordinate and integrate contractor, consultant, engineering, and third-party cost inputs into a comprehensive and integrated project cost plan.Lead cost management workstreams across multiple project phases, ensuring consistency with project controls standards and client requirements.Interface directly with client stakeholders, project managers, construction managers, and project teams to provide strategic cost guidance and recommendations.Identify, analyze, and communicate project cost risks, opportunities, and mitigation strategies to senior project leadership and clients.Lead detailed cost trend, variance, and performance analysis, providing actionable insights to support project decision-making.Drive project accrual, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow processes including monthly, bi-weekly, and weekly reporting requirements.Support and facilitate project risk management processes, including quantitative risk assessments and cost contingency analysis where required.Develop, implement, and lead earned value management practices on complex capital programs.Support development and continuous improvement of project controls plans, project execution plans, and governance frameworks.Coordinate inputs from project controls analysts, schedulers, and other project team members to ensure timely and accurate reporting deliverables.Review and approve invoices from subcontractors, vendors, consultants, and third-party service providers.Support procurement activities including development of RFPs, RFQs, bid evaluations, contractor selection, and commercial negotiations.Lead the development, validation, and maintenance of project estimates throughout the project lifecycle.Drive value engineering initiatives and cost optimization efforts to maximize project outcomes while maintaining project objectives.Support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of cost management procedures, standards, and best practices for both Cushman & Wakefield and clients.Provide guidance, mentoring, and technical leadership to junior project controls professionals and support delivery oversight in partnership with Project Controls Managers and senior leadership.Ensure all cost reporting, forecasting, and project controls deliverables are completed accurately, consistently, and in accordance with established standards.Education / Experience / TrainingBachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or related field.Eight (8) or more years of related experience working as a cost management expert on capital projects, including design, construction, and testing/commissioning phases.Demonstrated experience leading cost management or project controls workstreams on large, complex, or high-risk projects.Direct experience working within complex, matrixed project environments and multidisciplinary project teams.Expertise using cost management, project controls, and reporting software, including advanced Excel capabilities.Experience within one or more of the following industries required: construction, life sciences, data centers, industrial, manufacturing, or other related technical sectors.Demonstrated experience interacting directly with clients and senior project stakeholders.Proven ability to identify, communicate, and mitigate project cost and schedule risks.Must possess exemplary written and verbal communication skills.CompetenciesLeadershipCost ManagementProject ControlsRisk ManagementStakeholder ManagementProblem SolvingCommunicationStrategic ThinkingCushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications.The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role.The compensation for the position is: $ 110,500.00 - $130,000.00Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email [e-mail]. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”