Cost Manager

Job Description

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary cost advisor to the Client.
• Establish cost management systems aligned with professional standards and PMI frameworks.
• Advise on procurement routes, contract packaging, and risk allocation suitable for UAE public-sector projects.
• Support business case approvals and executive committees.
• Develop, mange, and control the master project cost plan and budget across all project stages.
• Validate design development against approved budgets and client cost limits.
• Establish contingencies, escalation allowances, cash flow forecasts, and cost baselines.
• Provide early identification of budget risks and recommend mitigation measures.
• Establish and maintain cost benchmarks and unit rates.
• Support procurement strategies in compliance with government procurement policies.
• Review and endorse cost plans, Bills of Quantities, tender documents, and pricing schedules.
• Lead commercial evaluations, tender clarifications, and recommendations for award.
• Ensure procurement processes are transparent, auditable, competitive, and compliant.
• Review contractor payment applications, variations, claims, and commercial correspondence.
• Provide independent commercial assessment of claims, EOTs (cost impact), and dispute matters.
• Monitor actual costs against approved budgets, forecasts, and cash flows.
• Validate quantities, progress, and valuation of works on site.
• Prepare monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and financial dashboards for senior stakeholders.
• Ensure alignment between construction progress, programme and cost data.
• Lead cost risk identification, quantification, and mitigation planning.
• Maintain cost risk registers and manage contingency drawdowns.
• Facilitate value engineering and value management workshops, ensuring no compromise to safety, quality, or operational performance.
• Asses cost impacts of design changes, authority requirements, and scope variations.
• Ensure full compliance with UAE governmental frameworks, approval cycles, and reporting protocols.
• Maintain auditable cost records, approvals, and change documentation.
• Support internal and external audits, reviews, and assurance processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or Construction Management from an accredited university
• 15-20 years of work experience in all aspects of contract management
• Professional accreditation with a recognized international institute
• Expert knowledge of FIDIC contracts with UAE-specific amendments
• Strong understanding of UAE construction market rates, procurement practices, and supply chains
• Familiarity with UAE authority requirements
• Excellent command of cost planning, forecasting, and financial reporting tools
• Proficiency in MS Excel and reporting skills; ERP or project controls systems experience preferred.
• Fluency in English and high degree of numeracy and literacy.