The Senior Cost Manager reports directly to the Cost Management Lead and supports in all aspects of project budgeting, procurement and cost control. The role holder develops and implements robust cost control processes, manages procurement activities and ensures compliance with industry standards. The Senior Cost Manager collaborates with various project teams to ensure cohesive planning and execution, while driving continuous improvement initiatives within the cost management function. This role is critical in ensuring the responsible use of public funds and maintain transparency in financial processes.
Principal Accountabilities
- Develop and implement cost control processes to monitor and manage project budgets, expenditures, and forecasts.
- Prepare, review, and manage project budgets, ensuring alignment with project objectives and financial constraints.
- Manage the procurement process, ensuring stages including prequalification, enquiry, analysis selection and contract preparation are performed effectively.
- Oversee the preparation and evaluation of tender documents, ensuring accuracy and compliance with project requirements.
- Generate detailed cost reports and present findings to senior management, providing insights and recommendations for cost optimisation.
- Work closely with the Cost Estimating Lead, Scheduling Lead, Scope and Benefits Lead, and Systems Implementation Lead to ensure cohesive project planning and execution.
- Collaborate with project managers and stakeholders to establish cost objectives and monitor progress.
- Identify and assess cost-related risks, developing mitigation strategies to minimise financial impact on the project.
- Conduct cost analysis and provide recommendations for cost-saving initiatives.
- Prepare and present cost reports, including variance analysis and cost projections.
- Pro-actively monitoring and managing cost variance and contract cash flow and ensuring that applications are made correctly and in a timely manner.
- Ensure all cost management activities comply with relevant regulations, standards, and best practices.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the cost management function, leveraging industry best practices and innovative solutions.
- Coach junior staff, including the allocation of roles and responsibilities to ensure effective cost management.
- Perform additional tasks, activities or other duties as may be required or assigned as part of the role.
- Ensure alignment between cost, schedule, and scope through close collaboration with planning and delivery teams.
- Drive earned value management (EVM) processes and interpret performance metrics to inform decision-making.
- Lead change control assessments from a cost perspective, ensuring impacts are accurately captured and reported.
Experience
- 7 years of experience in Construction Cost Management, PQS or Contractor/Developer experience.
- A proven track record of conducting cost management in high value metro rail projects or projects of a similar scale / complexity.
- Significant experience of supporting the delivery of cost management in major project environments to enable achievement of project goals and objectives.
- Significant experience in conceptual project budgeting, construction risk identification, scheduling, project planning, design and cost estimating at various project stages.
- Significant experience of dealing with a range of stakeholders at all levels across the organisation influencing the improvement of process and providing guidance to support project delivery and reporting.
- Experience in the Rail or associated industries. Strong understanding with industry regulations, standards, or financial compliance requirements.
Skills
- Strong knowledge of budgeting, cost control and financial reporting.
- Strong understanding of project management principles, including planning, scheduling, estimating and resource allocation.
- Ability to analyse data, identify trends, and make informed decisions based on financial and project data.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to facilitate clear and consistent dialogue between all parties involved.
- Ability to work in a collaborative manner that is positive, open, transparent and is a clear and effective communicator.
- Proficiency in cost management and project management software such as MS Project, Primavera or specialised construction management tools.
- Deep understanding of industry-specific technical aspects.
- Familiarity with project management software.
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
- Financial acumen for handling budgets, forecasts, and financial reports.
- Leadership and team management skills for leading and supervising teams.
- Strong numerical skills for accurate calculations and data analysis.
- Project management skills for planning, executing, and closing projects efficiently.
- Risk management abilities to identify and mitigate potential risks.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, since a quantity surveyor is required to oversee, monitor, and manage every aspect of the cost and production of a particular construction project.
- In-depth knowledge of construction and its principles and guidelines.
- Possess a detailed knowledge of construction procedures and procurement processes.
- Strong knowledge of cost management principles, methods, techniques and tools, including the standard method of measurement.
- Strong understanding of the design and delivery requirements of technically complex projects in the architectural / engineering / construction sectors.
- Strong knowledge of quality management and process improvement practices and systems is desirable, preferably within the construction sector.