Senior Cost Manager

Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with matching

Medical, Dental & Vision

Paid parental leave

Paid Time Off

Daily Pay

Job summary

Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (JLL) seeks a Senior Cost Manager to lead cost controls for diverse projects across office, cultural, hospitality, healthcare, and more. You will manage budgets, perform feasibility studies, VE reviews, and forecasting while guiding project teams and stakeholders.

Responsibilities include cost estimation from concept through construction documents, risk analysis, and change order evaluations, with emphasis on client interaction and market pricing knowledge.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in Estimator/Cost Manager or similar role.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, or related field.
• Ability to present analyzed data to clients and teams effectively.
• Strong knowledge of architectural drawings and planning concepts.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects and teams, and manage client interactions.
• Prepare detailed construction cost and project cost estimates from concept to documents.
• Assess local market pricing for materials, labor, and equipment using data and market studies.
• Provide value engineering and design option reviews; analyze bid summaries.

Skills

Cost management

Cost estimation

Communication

Analytical skills

Client interaction

Leadership

Estimating software

Budgeting

Market research

Education

Bachelor's degree (Construction Management/Architecture/Engineering)

Tools

Cost-X

On-Screen Takeoff

Excel

Project

PowerPoint

SharePoint

Smartsheet

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 a Senior Cost Manager at JLL, you will be responsible for delivering controls and cost management services to various assigned clients and industries including office, cultural, hospitality, healthcare, life sciences, education, and mixed-use projects involving both new build and renovation projects. Your services will include conceptual and detailed milestone cost estimates, feasibility studies, master planning, VE & design option reviews, budget reconciliations, Change Order evaluations, project accounting, and forecasting while collaborating with stakeholders to establish and track project budgets. This senior-level role requires leading projects and teams while maintaining project cost control reports, tracking actual costs against estimated budgets, and identifying and analyzing potential risks that may impact project deliverables, timelines, or budgets.

What your day-to-day will look like

• Partner with team members to execute complex projects through all stages while leading project teams and client interactions
• Prepare detailed and accurate construction cost and project cost estimates from conceptual design through final construction documents
• Understand and relay local market pricing for material, labor, and equipment using published documents, historical data, and performing market studies
• Provide value engineering services and design option reviews while conducting bid analysis and participating in reconciliations with contractors and subcontractors
• Review change orders and support change management assessing whether changes are within scope of base work
• Develop risk mitigation strategies and monitor their implementation while coordinating with project stakeholders to gather data
• Review and analyze project documentation to ensure compliance with organizational and regulatory standards
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices related to project controls while contributing to strategic client initiatives

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years as an Estimator, Cost Manager, or similar role
• Bachelor's degree from accredited institution (preference towards Quantity Surveying, Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management)
• Ability to regularly communicate analyzed data to client and team to achieve project goals
• Strong working knowledge of architectural drawings and planning concepts
• Highly organized with strong analytical skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to interact with executive level external and internal clients as well as external team members
• Ability to generate AACE level 1-5 cost evaluations with capability of working conceptually and qualifying unknowns
• Expertise in estimating software and benchmarking tools
• Ability to work collaboratively, independently, and through ambiguity to create structure and consensus
• Ability to lead teams and interact with clients while aggregating and translating outputs into marketable deliverables

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Cost-X, On-Screen Takeoff, or other estimating software
• Professional certification in project management (AACE, RICS)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Intermediate to Expert level in Excel, Project, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Smartsheet
• Expert understanding of building systems (MEPFS and architectural)Familiarity with procurement and tendering processes
• Leadership experience in cost management and project controls
• Understanding of value engineering principles and risk management strategies

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

Expected compensation for this position: 120,000.00 – 155,000.00 USD per year Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.

Location: On-site –Chicago, IL

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.

JLL Privacy Notice Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services. We take our responsibility to protect the personal information provided to us seriously. Generally the personal information we collect from you are for the purposes of processing in connection with JLL’s recruitment process. We endeavour to keep your personal information secure with appropriate level of security and keep for as long as we need it for legitimate business or legal reasons. We will then delete it safely and securely. For more information about how JLL processes your personal data, please view our Candidate Privacy Statement. For additional details please see our career site pages for each country.

For candidates in the United States, please see a full copy of our Equal Employment Opportunity policy here. 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 > I want to work for JLL. 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. If you are viewing this on a mobile device you may want to view the CCPA version on a larger device. 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.

At JLL, we give you the opportunity, knowledge and tools to own your success, because we value what makes each of us unique. 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 WAYS. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.