Job Description:
The Project Cost Manager will lead and manage all cost planning and financial control functions and act as the Client's independent cost and commercial representative within the Project Management team, to ensure cost efficiency and certainty, value for money, value optimization, transparency and compliance with contractual and financial governance frameworks, procurement regulations, throughout design, procurement, construction, and project close-out, also overseeing key project controls functions, including cost control, value engineering and change management.
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.
