Senior Manager: Cost Planning - Transport Hubs

Overview

Job Description

• Strategic Cost Leadership

• Set the cost planning strategy, standards, and methodologies for transport hub projects and programs.
• Provide early strategic cost advice to clients and internal stakeholders to inform investment decisions, business cases, and option selection.
• Lead the development of benchmark cost databases and key performance indicators for transport hubs and related infrastructure.

• End-to-End Cost Planning & Estimating

• Own the preparation, review, and sign-off of cost plans through all design stages (concept, schematic, detailed design, IFC).
• Develop high-level order-of-magnitude estimates, elemental cost plans, and detailed bills-of-quantities-based estimates for:
• + Station and hub buildings
• + Rail/metro infrastructure and systems
• + Interchange facilities, roads, bridges, tunnels, and utilities
• + Public realm, parking, and associated developments
• Ensure all cost models are based on auditable assumptions, current market data, and appropriate productivity norms.

• Design & Scope Management

• Drive cost-conscious design development, working closely with architecture, engineering, planning, and operations teams.
• Manage design-to-budget processes; identify and challenge cost drivers and scope creep.
• Facilitate value engineering and value management workshops, developing and prioritizing cost-saving options while preserving safety, service levels, and lifecycle value.

• Risk, Contingency & Whole-Life Costing

• Lead cost risk analyses, including quantitative risk assessments and Monte Carlo simulations where applicable.
• Define contingency strategies and allowances, linked to risk registers and project maturity.
• Promote and oversee whole-life cost and total cost of ownership assessments, including operations, maintenance, and renewals.

• Market Intelligence & Procurement Interface

• Maintain up-to-date insight on construction market conditions, supply chain capacity, inflation, and key cost drivers.
• Support procurement strategy development, including packaging, contracting strategies, and commercial models for hub and rail works.
• Review and challenge contractor and consultant bids, validating rates, pricing structures, and assumptions.

• Governance, Assurance & Reporting

• Establish cost planning governance frameworks, procedures, and reporting standards for transport hubs.
• Present cost plans, forecasts, and value-for-money analyses to steering committees, executive leadership, and external stakeholders.
• Lead internal audits and independent reviews of cost plans to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with corporate and client requirements.

• Stakeholder & Client Management

• Act as the primary senior cost planning interface with clients, government entities, and joint venture partners for hub projects.
• Manage expectations around budgets, scope, and value trade-offs, providing clear, evidence-based recommendations.
• Support negotiations and approvals related to budgets, change, and funding allocations.

• Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and mentor a team of cost planners, quantity surveyors, and junior commercial staff.
• Develop capability in cost planning tools, techniques, and digital solutions (e.g. BIM 5D, cost databases, parametric estimating).
• Foster a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years’ experience in cost planning / cost management within major infrastructure projects.
• Significant experience on transport hubs and related assets, such as:
• + Major railway / metro stations or interchanges
• + Airport terminals or landside transport nodes
• + Large-scale bus/coach terminals, BRT hubs, or multi-modal interchanges
• Proven track record in leading the cost planning function for complex, multi-disciplinary projects from concept to delivery.
• Strong understanding of construction techniques, MEP systems, rail systems, and station architecture.
• Advanced proficiency in cost planning software and $MS$ Excel; experience with BIM-integrated cost tools (5D).

Desirable

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Project Management, Infrastructure Finance) is an advantage.
• Professional membership or chartered status with $RICS$, $AIQS$, $AACE$, or equivalent.
• Experience working with public sector clients, $PPP$ / concession models, or large program environments.
• Regional experience in [e.g. GCC / Middle East / Europe / Asia] and familiarity with local market dynamics.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of project finance, business cases, and value-for-money frameworks.
• Excellent analytical skills; ability to synthesize complex technical information into clear cost implications.
• Advanced leadership and people management capabilities, including coaching and delegation.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to ethical practices.
• Ability to work under pressure on multiple concurrent projects and meet demanding deadlines.
• Parsons equally employs representation at all job levels no matter the race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.
• We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars!
• Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!
• Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices.
• To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer to https://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/.