Senior Cost Manager at Rider Levett Bucknall in South Bend, IN

Title: Senior Cost Manager

Reporting to: Office Director

*Candidate will be assigned to a project based in Northern Indiana*

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Overview of Role

The Senior Cost Manager is responsible the delivery of cost management services across a diverse portfolio of Critical Infrastructure projects. This role integrates hands-on project oversight with team leadership, and client relationship management. The Senior Cost Manager will serve as a primary point of contact for clients, consultants, and designers, ensuring alignment with project goals and maintaining consistency with Company policy throughout the project lifecycle. In addition to overseeing delivery, the role requires the ability to identify value-add opportunities, proactively manage risks, and drive strategies that support the client’s desired outcomes.

Essential Functions

• Lead cost planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting across multiple data center projects.

• Oversee the development of schematic, design development, and final design estimates and overall project budget.

• Own and drive the full cost lifecycle: feasibility, estimating, benchmarking, cost planning, procurement support, cost control, forecasting, reporting, change management, and final account.

• Participate in design workshops and provide strategic cost guidance to support informed decision making.

• Conduct value engineering studies, cost option analyses, and estimate reconciliations.

• Identify, manage, and mitigate risks related to cost, schedule, procurement, supply chain, utilities coordination, and site constraints, typical of data center delivery.

• Advise on procurement strategy for consultant and project team procurement.

• Advise on procurement and contracting methods for General Contractor.

• Support commercial outcomes including procurement strategy, contract administration, claims avoidance, and dispute resolution where required.

• Actively lead and participate in the tender/bid process, from preparation of bid documentation through analysis, leveling, and reporting to ensure best value for the client.

• Evaluate contractor pricing and scope for completeness based on historical data, vendor pricing, labor markets, material costs, equipment, and contractor markups.

• Lead the change management process by identifying, analyzing, negotiating, and implementing cost impacts of scope changes.

• Manage change orders, cost variations, and contractor negotiations on behalf of the Client.

• Review contractor requisitions for work in progress Perform cost forecasting and cash flow projections.

• Oversee day-to-day cost control, valuations, and financial reporting to ensure projects remain aligned with client objectives.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, providing strategic cost guidance to support informed decision-making.

• Champion best practices, compliance, and consistency of approach across reporting, documentation, and close-out.

• Assist with final account settlements, claims analysis, and dispute resolution.

• Mentor and develop junior team members.

• Review deliverables to ensure quality, accuracy, and consistency.

• Contribute to business development efforts and support client relationship growth.

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

• 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, RICS accreditation 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.

• MEP System knowledge highly preferred

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.

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.

General Benefits information can be found on the RLB Careers Page: Construction Management Jobs | RLB Americas