Senior Cost Manager

Rider Levett Bucknall RLB; Tucson (AZ); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) seeks a Senior Cost Manager to oversee cost estimation and ensure quality standards and client satisfaction. The role interfaces with clients, consultants, and designers, identifying opportunities to add value and achieve project outcomes.

The ideal candidate will manage plan reviews, takeoffs, VE studies, and post-contract estimates, while mentoring others and contributing to team success.

Qualifications

• 4-year college degree in CM/SE/AE/Cost Estimating or equivalent.
• 5–10 years of cost estimating experience across building types.
• Knowledge of CSI format and industry estimation software.

Responsibilities

• Review plans and specs to take-offs and prepare estimates for architectural, structural, and civil scopes.
• Lead cost estimation and value engineering studies for projects.
• Prepare independent post-contract estimates and document differences.
• Forecast costs and develop price recommendations with client/AE teams.
• Mentor junior staff and participate in client meetings.

Skills

Cost estimation

Value engineering

Plan/estimate analysis

Team leadership

Education

Construction Management / Structural Engineering / Architectural Engineering / Cost Estimating degree

Tools

Estimating software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Title: Senior Cost Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reporting to: Office Director

*Candidate preferred location in Tucson, AZ but Remote candidates would be considered as well*

Company Overview
We are looking for dynamic individuals to join our team! With over 20 offices in North America and the Caribbean in addition to over a hundred global offices and approximately 4,000 staff worldwide, RLB has a truly global reach while still offering a local presence to its clients almost without exception. We are committed to our core services and pride ourselves on our dedication to customer care and leading-edge service provision.

Truth. Trust. Together. Tomorrow.

At RLB, we speak the truth, build for the long term, look out for each other and work to do good. We are driven by outcomes, creating tailored solutions that deliver successful projects. We believe that when we bring together the right people doing things the right way, we make progress for our clients and our communities.

RLB is an award-winning international firm, known for providing property and construction consultancy advice at all stages of the construction cycle. Utilizing its many years of experience and professionally trained employees, RLB continues to firmly establish itself as one of the major players in the construction industry throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, and Oceania. Our employees are involved in a variety of projects across a range of sectors, from sports arenas and healthcare to higher education and convention centers.

As a privately held company, we hire the best people, give them exceptional training, and provide extensive opportunities for professional growth while working on exciting projects while providing an excellent compensation and benefits package.

Overview of Role
The Senior Cost Manager is responsible for oversight of cost estimation and adhering to the company’s quality standards and the client’s satisfaction. Employees in this position will interface with clients, consultants, and designers to achieve the project’s goals and ensure that all project activities are consistent with Company policy. The Senior Cost Manager should have the ability to identify opportunities within a project that will add value and help successfully accomplish the client’s desired project outcome.

Essential Functions

• Review construction plans and specifications during preconstruction to complete quantity take-offs and prepare estimates for all architectural, structural, and civil scopes from schematic through final design for new construction and renovation projects
• Prepare value engineering, cost option and cost strategy estimates
• Prepare independent post contract estimates, including reporting differences in scope, quantities, and pricing from contractor’s estimate
• Work as integral part of our Estimating Team to perform plan and specification analysis, takeoff, and pricing of various types of construction projects
• Acts as lead individual for specific projects
• Review estimates prepared by Estimating Team, prior to supervisor final review
• Compiles and analyzes data on all factors that influence costs, such as material, labor, equipment, and profit margins
• Evaluates cost estimating deliverables prepared by architects and engineers, for cost containment
• Acquires and evaluates historical and vendor cost data for the development of cost estimates and price recommendations
• Accurately forecasts costs of future projects and changes to existing projects
• Prepares technical evaluations, cost estimating draft reports, memos, and letters and presents recommendations to management and client
• Attend client meetings
• Participate in design charrettes and design workshops, including presenting estimates to the client and AE team
• Participate in Value Engineering studies, reconciliations, and negotiations with contractors
• Prepare valuations of work in progress reports from contractor draw requests
• Undertake other cost-related tasks as directed by supervisor, including review of estimates prepared by others
• Assist with training and mentoring others
• Contributes to team performance by collaboration and effective communication.
• Contributes to and understands the clients desired project outcomes, identifies opportunities to add value to accomplish the desired outcomes.
• Adds to team effort by accomplishing other duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a positive proactive approach to the role, and will be committed to delivering customer service excellence, with good commercial results.

• Minimum Education (or substitute experience) required: 4-year college degree in Construction Management, Structural Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Cost Estimating or equivalent recognized technical qualification.
• Minimum Experience required: 5-10 years' relevant experience in construction cost estimating of a variety of building types from program, conceptual, schematic, design development and construction document stages of design in elemental and CSI format for all architectural, structural, and civil components of new construction and renovation projects. Some MEP estimating experience preferred. AACE International and/or Certified Cost Professional preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of execution of cost management services; good planning, organization, and communication skills essential. Understanding of technical and non-technical documents related to cost management services required. Knowledge and use of industry-estimating software and Microsoft Office software programs.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Indoor office environment. May require work on site location when necessary
• Equipment used includes computers and standard office machines
• Essential physical tasks include: the ability to work on a computer and the ability to answer and speak on a telephone. May require the use of a ladder on occasion

RLB is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This company does not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices based on race, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hiring, transferring and promotion practices are performed without regard to the above listed items.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.