Senior Cost Manager: Estimating & Value Engineering

Rider Levett Bucknall RLB; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 149,000; Full time

Job summary

Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) seeks a Senior Cost Manager in Los Angeles to oversee cost estimation, adhere to quality standards, and ensure client satisfaction. You will interface with clients, consultants, and designers to drive project outcomes and identify value-add opportunities.

The role reports to the Office Director and requires strong leadership in planning, cost control, and proactive communication across multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• 4-year college degree in Construction Management, Structural Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Cost Estimating or equivalent recognized technical qualification.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Review construction plans and specs during preconstruction to complete quantity take-offs and prepare estimates for all scopes from schematic through final design.
• Prepare value engineering, cost option and cost strategy estimates.
• Prepare independent post- contract estimates and report differences in scope, quantities, and pricing from contractor’s estimate.
• Lead estimating tasks within the Estimating Team and review estimates prior to supervisor final review.
• Compile and analyze data on factors that influence costs, such as materials, labor, equipment and margins.
• Forecast costs of future projects and changes to existing projects.
• Present recommendations to management and client in memos and letters.
• Attend client meetings and participate in design charrettes and workshops.

Skills

Cost estimation

Cost analysis

Project cost control

Client collaboration

Value engineering

Education

4-year college degree in Construction Management or related field

Tools

Estimating software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) seeks a Senior Cost Manager in Los Angeles to oversee cost estimation, adhere to quality standards, and ensure client satisfaction. You will interface with clients, consultants, and designers to drive project outcomes and identify value-add opportunities.

The role reports to the Office Director and requires strong leadership in planning, cost control, and proactive communication across multidisciplinary teams.