Senior Cost Manager

DARA PEOPLE LTD.; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

DARA People Ltd. in New York is seeking a senior cost-management lead to oversee a regional portfolio across multiple projects, from feasibility to closeout.

You will advise clients, maintain financial control and help shape the New York cost-management service as the team grows. Experience in data-center programs is valuable; strong client-facing communication and ability to own budgets, forecasts and reporting are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Consultancy, client-side or owner's representative background.
• Strong pre-construction and construction-stage capability.
• Direct responsibility for client advice, reporting and financial recommendations.
• Experience reviewing contractor pricing, change orders and payment applications.
• Broad understanding of civil, structural, architectural and building-services packages.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams accurately and independently.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost management across multiple projects at different stages.
• Prepare estimates, budgets and cost plans as designs develop.
• Maintain visibility of commitments, expenditure, contingency and forecast final costs.
• Produce cost reports and cash-flow forecasts with clear commentary and recommendations.
• Evaluate contractor bids, pricing submissions, change orders and payment applications.
• Identify emerging financial risks and advise clients on appropriate action.
• Support value engineering, estimate reconciliation and project closeout.
• Contribute to reporting standards, team development and regional capability.

Skills

Cost management

Client-facing

Budgeting

Forecasting

Reporting

Change control

Job description

New York City Metro | Hybrid | Permanent, full-time

$145,000-$165,000 base salary, depending on experience

Lead a regional cost-management portfolio for an international consultancy DARA People is supporting an international construction consultancy as it expands its New York cost-management capability.

This is a client-facing consultancy appointment with responsibility across multiple projects, from early feasibility and cost planning through construction, reporting and closeout. You will advise client stakeholders directly, maintain portfolio-level financial control and help shape the regional cost-management service as the team grows.

The current portfolio supports a confidential international data-center program. Previous data-center experience is valuable but not required.

The key requirement

Applicants should have recent US construction cost-management experience gained within a consultancy, client-side organisation or owner's representative environment.

You should be comfortable independently managing projects, presenting cost advice to clients and taking ownership of budgets, forecasts, reporting and change control.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost management across multiple projects at different stages.
• Prepare estimates, budgets and cost plans as designs develop.
• Maintain visibility of commitments, expenditure, contingency and forecast final costs.
• Produce cost reports and cash-flow forecasts with clear commentary and recommendations.
• Evaluate contractor bids, pricing submissions, change orders and payment applications.
• Identify emerging financial risks and advise clients on appropriate action.
• Support value engineering, estimate reconciliation and project closeout.
• Contribute to reporting standards, team development and regional capability.

Required experience

• Consultancy, client-side or owner's representative background.
• Strong pre-construction and construction-stage capability.
• Direct responsibility for client advice, reporting and financial recommendations.
• Experience reviewing contractor pricing, change orders and payment applications.
• Broad understanding of civil, structural, architectural and building-services packages.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams accurately and independently.

Preferred experience

• Data centers, advanced manufacturing, life sciences or other technically complex projects.
• Multi-project or international program experience.
• RICS or equivalent professional accreditation, or progress toward it.
• Mentoring, process improvement or team-development experience.

The opportunity

The position reports to the Global Cost Management Leads and combines hands-on delivery with the opportunity to influence regional working practices and support the development of the New York team.

Travel is limited and project-dependent. The target start is January 2027, with earlier onboarding considered.

The client and program are confidential. Further details will be shared with suitable candidates during the recruitment process.