Senior Cost Manager

Gleeds Corporate Services Ltd; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Gleeds Corporate Services Ltd is seeking a Senior/Executive Cost Consultant based in Chicago, IL. This role requires managing vendor prequalifications, developing project estimates, and maintaining rigorous cost controls across significant projects.

Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree in construction management or a related field, along with strong client-facing skills and relevant experience in construction cost management.

Enjoy a hybrid working environment while contributing to a global consultancy with a century of expertise.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in cost management within the construction industry.
• Experience in estimating, cost engineering, or project controls.
• Ability to thrive in client-facing environments.
• Experience with medium to large-scale construction projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage vendor prequalification and appointment processes.
• Develop and present project estimates for construction.
• Establish cost reporting schedules and maintain risk registers.
• Liaison with project managers on cost assessments.
• Manage invoicing and final accounting processes.
• Prepare training materials and lessons learned documentation.

Skills

Client-facing abilities

Strong communication skills

Construction industry knowledge

Cost estimation

Project cost controls

Education

Bachelor’s degree in construction management or related fields

Tools

Cost estimating software

Take-off software

Job description

Cost Consultant

• Senior/Executive level
• Chicago, IL based
• Permeant, full time with hybrid working

We’re not just a construction consultancy; we’re a catalyst for change. Since 1875, Gleeds has been bringing to life new ideas and bold visions for the built environment.

In a world that’s evolving at pace, we’re continually connecting people, places, ideas, and possibilities, making every day another step toward a better future.

We don’t simply work for our clients; we partner with value‑driven organisations who share our ambition for a connected, resilient, and sustainable future. We integrate seamlessly into their teams, acting as genuine collaborators rather than external consultants.

With more than 76 offices worldwide, you’ll join a truly global network that thrives on diverse perspectives and strong relationships. Wherever we operate, we are committed to the success of our people, clients, and communities, creating safer, more sustainable places to live, work, and thrive.

Gleeds is a place to be part of something bigger. We take pride in a supportive culture that empowers you to make an impact, build meaningful connections, and shape the future of our industry. Here, you can steer your own journey while contributing to a legacy built on trust, expertise, and purpose.

Gleeds US is experiencing significant growth across data centres, advanced manufacturing, mission critical facilities, and large‑scale commercial programmes. To support this expansion, we are seeking a Senior/Executive Cost Consultant to join our team in the United States, ideally based in New Mexico or West Texas (or within 1–2 hours’ travel).

This role is central to strengthening our commercial capability and ensuring the highest standards of delivery across major programmes. This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior professional ready to take the next step in a fast‑growing region with global visibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing prequalification of vendors, assessing proposals, bids, and bid levelling documents, making final recommendations to the client, attending bid interviews, and managing appointment processes
• Estimating services for full project by developing project estimates (relating to construction, fees, direct work and other costs), presenting estimates to Client, preparing value engineering recommendations and risk assessments, meeting with vendors to review, validate, and challenge costs, and reviewing estimates by utilizing benchmark data collected from other projects
• Cost reporting by establishing reporting schedule, reviewing & presenting cost reports and forecasts, reviewing project budget & spend forecast, developing & maintaining commercial risk register, and hosting periodic meetings with project team & vendors
• Reviewing payment application assessments, liaising with project managers to recommend contractor entitlements, reviewing requests for change orders from vendors, and using dispute prevention/management/resolution procedures to manage payment requisitions, change orders, and contractual disputes
• Manage & monitor invoicing process
• Final accounting process and post contract audits and account close outs.
• Establish a lesson learned document for further professional development and creation of training material.
• Perform all the duties above through the use/preparation of Bid Analysis Sheets, Change Control Forms, Cost Estimating Software, and Take-off Software

We are looking for a consultant who brings:

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering or other fields related to construction.
• Relevant experience working in a cost management role in the construction industry.
• Experience working in construction cost management roles such as Estimating, Cost Engineer, Project Engineer, Project Cost Controls etc.
• Thrives in a client facing role
• Experience supporting program level cost management for medium to large-scale construction projects.
• Good knowledge of the construction industry technical matters, such as different procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.
• Strong communication skills
• Prior estimating tools and software experience required

About us

Gleeds is a global property and construction consultancy with over 150 years of expertise, operating in 28 countries worldwide. From iconic landmarks to critical infrastructure, we drive innovation, sustainability and value, delivering transformative projects that shape communities and redefine the built environment.