Senior Cost Manager — Drive Project Budget & Value

Rider Levett Bucknall RLB; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 105,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Rider Levett Bucknall in Honolulu, HI seeks a Senior Cost Manager to oversee project costs from pre-construction through closeout, ensuring robust cost control and accurate reporting.

The candidate will lead cost planning, provide commercial guidance to clients and teams, and identify value opportunities across diverse project types. 4-year degree and 5+ years of experience are required; a proactive, client-focused approach is essential.

Qualifications

• 4-year college degree in Construction Management, Structural Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Cost Estimating or equivalent recognized technical qualification.
• Minimum experience of 5+ years in construction cost estimating for various building types across design stages.
• Knowledge of cost management services, planning, organization, and communication; proficiency with industry-estimating software and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost management and quantity surveying services across all project phases, from pre-construction through project closeout.
• Perform value engineering and cost analysis to support efficient project delivery and alignment with project budgets.
• Provide cost advice during design development and ensure design decisions remain aligned with approved project budgets.
• Manage procurement and bidding processes, including preparation of bid packages, bid evaluations, and recommendations for contractor award.
• Track and manage project costs, including change orders, cost reporting, project cash flow, and financial forecasting throughout the project lifecycle.
• Prepare regular cost reports and financial updates for clients and project stakeholders.
• Review and evaluate contractors, change order requests and negotiate cost impacts where required.
• Review and process contractor and consultant pay applications and ensure compliance with contract terms.
• Assist in the preparation, negotiation, and agreement of final accounts and project closeout documentation.
• Provide commercial and financial guidance to clients and project teams to support informed decision-making.

Skills

Cost estimation

Value engineering

Contract negotiation

Project cost management

Stakeholder communication

Budgeting

MS Office

Estimating software

Education

4-year college degree in Construction Management, Structural Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Cost Estimating or equivalent

Tools

Estimation software

MS Excel

Project controls software

Job description

Rider Levett Bucknall in Honolulu, HI seeks a Senior Cost Manager to oversee project costs from pre-construction through closeout, ensuring robust cost control and accurate reporting.

The candidate will lead cost planning, provide commercial guidance to clients and teams, and identify value opportunities across diverse project types. 4-year degree and 5+ years of experience are required; a proactive, client-focused approach is essential.