Cost Engineer / Quantity Surveyor

Overview

Cost Estimation & Budget Management

• Prepare preliminary and detailed cost estimates for construction, engineering, procurement, subcontracting, and commissioning activities.
• Develop, structure, and maintain project budgets, including cost breakdowns by work packages, subcontractors, materials, equipment, and services.
• Monitor project expenditures against approved budgets and identify cost deviations.
• Prepare cost-to-complete forecasts and final cost projections.
• Support value engineering initiatives and cost optimization strategies.

Quantity Surveying & BOQ Management

• Prepare, review, and validate Bills of Quantities (BOQs) based on approved design drawings and project specifications.
• Verify quantities and ensure alignment between design documentation and actual site conditions.
• Update BOQs following design revisions, approved variations, or scope changes.
• Perform quantity take-offs from construction drawings and shop drawings.

Tendering & Commercial Evaluation

• Collect, analyze, and evaluate quotations from subcontractors and suppliers.
• Participate in tendering activities, subcontractor evaluations, and commercial negotiations.
• Prepare technical and commercial comparison sheets for management review.
• Support subcontractor selection and award recommendations.
• Conduct market rate analysis and benchmarking to ensure commercial competitiveness.

Cost Control & Reporting

• Monitor project costs, commitments, expenditures, and forecasts throughout the project lifecycle.
• Track budget variances, analyze root causes, and recommend corrective actions.
• Prepare monthly cost reports, management reports, and financial summaries.
• Maintain cost control registers, tracking systems, and reporting tools.
• Provide regular cash flow forecasts and budget status reports.

Variations & Claims Management

• Maintain comprehensive records of Change Orders, Variation Orders, and claims.
• Evaluate the financial impact of variations on project budgets and profitability.
• Maintain variation registers and ensure all approved changes are properly recorded.
• Support the preparation, evaluation, and negotiation of variation claims.
• Coordinate with Contracts and Project Management teams regarding contractual implications of variations.

Subcontractor Payment Certification

• Verify subcontractor work progress and quantities executed on site.
• Review and certify Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs) and subcontractor invoices.
• Ensure payments are based on approved rates, actual progress, and contractual terms.
• Maintain records of payment certificates and subcontractor valuation reports.
• Coordinate payment processing with Project Management, Finance, and Accounting departments.

Contract Administration

• Support administration of subcontract agreements and commercial correspondence.
• Maintain contractual logs, commercial registers, variation registers, and payment records.
• Review contractual obligations and ensure compliance with contract requirements.
• Support contract close-out activities and final account settlements.

Coordination & Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate closely with Project Management, Procurement, Contracts, Finance, Accounting, and Site Operations teams.
• Liaise with Civil, Structural, Architectural, and MEP disciplines to validate quantity take-offs and commercial assessments.
• Ensure alignment between project budgets, procurement commitments, and financial records.
• Support management with commercial advice and cost-related decision-making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering (Mandatory), Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Construction Economics, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in Cost Engineering or Quantity Surveying within General Contracting, EPC, Industrial, Infrastructure, or Building Construction projects in the UAE.
• Strong experience in project cost estimation, budget control, quantity surveying, and subcontractor management.
• Proven experience in tendering, procurement support, and commercial evaluations.
• Experience with FIDIC contracts and UAE contracting practices is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (Advanced), AutoCAD, and cost management software.
• Strong understanding of UAE construction market rates, productivity norms, and cost control methodologies.
• Fluent in English.

• Tender Evaluation & Commercial Analysis

• Subcontractor Management

• Variations & Claims Management

• Contract Administration

• Cash Flow Forecasting

• Cost-to-Complete Analysis

• Financial & Analytical Thinking

• Attention to Detail

• Team Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

• Areas of Responsibility
• Project Budget Formation and Cost Monitoring
• Quantity Verification and BOQ Management
• Tendering and Commercial Evaluation
• Subcontractor Valuation and Payment Certification
• Variations, Claims, and Cost Impact Assessment
• Contract Administration and Commercial Documentation
• Cost Reporting and Financial Forecasting
• Coordination with Finance, Procurement, Contracts, and Site Teams
• Project Profitability Monitoring and Cost Optimization

Key Success Measures

• Accuracy of Cost Estimates and Budget Forecasts
• Effective Cost Control and Budget Compliance
• Timely Certification of Subcontractor Payments
• Proper Management of Variations and Claims
• Accuracy of Quantity Take-Offs and BOQs
• Timely Submission of Cost Reports and Forecasts
• Reduction of Cost Overruns and Commercial Risks
• Improved Project Profitability and Financial Visibility