Project Controls Cost Lead, Project & Development Services

cw; Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 111,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield is recruiting a Lead Cost Manager to serve as the project controls lead for large, complex capital programs. You will coordinate cost management activities, partner with clients and leadership, and drive integrated cost strategies from initiation through closeout.

The role demands a senior professional with eight-plus years in cost management, strong Excel and software skills, and proven ability to guide multi-disciplinary teams while delivering strategic cost insights and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or related field.
• 8+ years of cost management experience on capital projects, including design, construction, and testing/commissioning.
• Experience leading cost management workstreams on large, complex, or high-risk projects.
• Direct experience in complex, matrixed project environments with multidisciplinary teams.
• Expertise with cost management software and advanced Excel capabilities.
• Experience in construction, life sciences, data centers, industrial, or related sectors.
• Proven ability to interact with clients and senior project stakeholders with strong communication.

Responsibilities

• Act as the project controls lead for large-scale, complex, or high-risk capital projects and serve as the primary contact for cost management.
• Establish and lead cost management programs, tools, technologies, processes, and procedures.
• Coordinate and integrate inputs from contractors, consultants, engineering teams, and third parties into a unified cost plan.
• Lead cost management workstreams across multiple phases, ensuring compliance with standards.
• Interface with client stakeholders, project managers, and teams to provide strategic cost guidance.
• Identify, analyze, and communicate cost risks, opportunities, and mitigation strategies to leadership.
• Drive detailed cost trend, variance, and performance analyses to inform decisions.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, accruals, and cash flow reporting on a monthly, bi-weekly, and weekly cadence.
• Support risk management processes including quantitative assessments and contingencies.
• Develop, validate, and maintain project estimates throughout the lifecycle.
• Lead value engineering and cost optimization initiatives aligned with project objectives.
• Mentor junior project controls staff and support governance frameworks.

Skills

Cost management

Project controls

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Education

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

Tools

Excel

Cost management software

Project controls tools

Job description

Job Title

Project Controls Cost Lead, Project & Development Services

Job Description Summary

This 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 Description

Essential Job Duties

• Act 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 / Training

• Bachelor'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.

Competencies

• Leadership
• Cost Management
• Project Controls
• Risk Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Problem Solving
• Communication
• Strategic Thinking

Cushman & 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 [e-mail]. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”