Senior Cost Manager: Preconstruction & Estimating Lead

Cumming Group; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 115,100 - 153,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k)

401(k) Matching

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Short and long-term disability

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Cumming Group in San Diego, CA is seeking a Senior Cost Manager to oversee cost estimation across diverse projects in multiple sectors. The role emphasizes preconstruction, conceptual estimating, and strong client relationship skills to drive project profitability.

The ideal candidate has 5–8 years in cost management or quantity surveying, with professional accreditation preferred, and a track record in leading teams and negotiating contracts. Competitive salary and benefits provided.

Qualifications

• BS in Construction, Cost Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or related field.
• 5 to 8 years in Cost Management or Quantity Surveying with professional accreditation.
• Preferred MRICS, AssocRICS, CCP, CEP, CPE or equivalent accreditation.

Responsibilities

• Review, interpret and accurately estimate the scope of assigned work from project documents.
• Develop and nurture sub-contractor, vendor, and client relationships.
• Lead client accounts and participate in contract negotiation.
• Prepare sub-contractor analysis sheets for assigned scope of work.
• Evaluate changes and prepare change order estimates; support all phases of construction work.
• Perform Continuous Cost Management and manage project-level contract administration.
• Partner with management to develop new customers and grow existing base.
• Mentor associate-level cost and commercial managers and prepare project plans.

Skills

Understand organizational goals

Communication & collaboration

Client relationship management

Pricing expertise

Data analysis & research

Team leadership & mentoring

Multi-tasking & prioritization

Education

BS in Construction

Cost Management

Engineering / Quantity Surveying

Tools

Preconstruction tools

Job description

At Cumming Group, you will work on some of the world's most exciting projects in a dynamic environment where your success is measured by the impact you make. We are one of the fastest-growing project and cost management consultancies in the United States, as reflected in our top 10 rankings in ENR. With over 60 offices globally, an extremely diverse project portfolio, and double-digit year-over-year revenue growth, the opportunities to make your mark are limitless!

We are hiring a Senior Cost Manager in San Diego, CA to work on a variety of projects in different sectors, with exciting clients. Must have preconstruction, conceptual estimating experience. Come join our team!

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Review, interpret and accurately estimate the scope of assigned work as described in the project documents.
• Develop and nurture sub-contractor, vendor, and client relationships.
• Lead client accounts.
• Review and comment on contracts and participate in contract negotiation.
• Prepare sub-contractor analysis sheets for assigned scope of work.
• Evaluate changes and subcontractor change order estimates and provide expertise in all phases of construction work.
• Perform Continuous Cost Management.
• Manage contract administration at the project level.
• Partner with management team in developing new customers and growing existing customer base.
• Develop and nurture client relationships to ensure client satisfaction.
• Support senior management by providing needed reports and responding to inquiries for information.
• Mentor associate level cost and commercial managers.
• Prepare project plans.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Attendance at work during normal business hours.
  
  

Knowledge & Skills Required

• Understand how your role contributes to the organization's goals.
• Deliver quality work product by role modeling organizational core values.
• Hold self accountable to individual and team goals.
• Consistently communicate and collaborate with team members and clients.
• Build relationships with peers, leaders, and clients.
• Proactively participate in self-development to continually enhance current skills and build new skills required to excel at current role and prepare for career progression.
• Provide pricing expertise in various phases of construction work.
• Partner with management team in developing new customers and growing existing customer base.
• Strong research skills and ability to allocate the relevant data.
• Exposure to industry events, functions, & creating a network of key AEC professionals in the market.
• Ability to effectively integrate with other departments.
• Ability to quickly analyze, compare, and interpret detailed but sometimes poorly defined information.
• Understand construction technology, economics of construction, construction delivery methodologies, local requirements on tax and insurances as they impact construction costs, ability to understand general conditions and general requirements at a detailed level.
• Understand construction law in the local market, applicable methods of measurement and approaches to parametric, top down and bottoms up estimates.
• Possess a working knowledge of the different roles and services Cumming provides and how the cost management team fits in the project.
• Ability to communicate with various stakeholders, internal and external to the company in a responsive manner.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and work efficiently.
• Ability to perform at high levels in a fast paced, ever-changing work environment.
• Demonstrate consistent management of overall project assigned beyond tasks completion.
• Hold a professional qualification relative to your job role.
  
  

Preferred Education And Experience

Education: BS in Construction, Cost Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or related field

Experience: 5 to 8 years in Cost Management or Quantity Surveying with professional accreditation

Preferred Certification: Professional accreditation – MRICS, AssocRICS, CCP, CEP, CPE or equivalent

Cumming Group is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity in its personnel policies and practices. It is Cumming Group’s policy to recruit, hire, train and promote Team Members and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, marital status, registered domestic partner status, genetic information, sexual preference, sexual orientation, gender (including gender expression and gender identity), pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions, including breastfeeding), military service, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical disability, mental disability, veteran status or any other protected classification under federal, state, or local law. All such decisions are based on (1) individual merit, qualifications, and competence as they relate to the particular position, and (2) promotion of the principle of equal employment opportunity.

All other terms and conditions of employment, such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoff, return from layoff, training, education, and social and recreational programs, are administered without regard to the characteristics described above. To this end, Cumming Group complies with all provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, all of the rules, regulations and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor, and all similar state and local laws.

The salary range for this full-time role is $115,100.00-$153,500.02 per year. Ranges are determined based on the position, geography, client and industry experience and level, and represent a good faith effort to provide a fair and equitable salary. This range reflects base salary only, and not the total compensation package. Cumming Group reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range, depending on a candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications, including client requirements.

In addition to base salary, Cumming Group offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401(k)
• 401(k) Matching
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Short and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program