Project Cost Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois.

📋 Description

• Collaborate with Construction Managers and Project Management teams to ensure visibility into project costs, financial exposure, and associated risks.

• Oversee and communicate the status of project budgets, actual expenditures, projected costs, changes in scope, and overall financial performance.

• Identify potential cost risks and opportunities, providing recommendations for proactive financial decision-making.

• Implement cost controls across labor, expenses, subcontractor costs, and other project-related expenditures.

• Review cost reports from general contractors and validate project financial data.

• Reconcile actual costs from general contractors against the GMP, Schedule of Values, approved budgets, and project commitments.

• Manage and assist with contract administration tasks, including retention, terms and conditions, insurance requirements, allowances, contingencies, and incentives.

• Monitor change orders, invoices, payments, lien releases, and associated documentation.

• Coordinate and participate in change control, cost review, and project financial meetings.

• Assist in the preparation and administration of monthly pay applications.

• Develop and maintain internal project cost reporting packages.

• Generate project progress and cost reports for internal stakeholders and leadership.

• Aid in quarterly and fiscal year-end analysis, forecasting, accruals, and confirmation of project status.

• Facilitate change management by tracking cost impacts, approvals, commitments, and forecast adjustments.

• Monitor performance against approved budgets and forecasts, escalating significant variances or emerging risks.

• Ensure the maintenance of accurate, current, complete, and audit-ready financial documentation.

• Assist the Construction team with cost analysis, reporting, forecasting, and financial planning.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field is preferred.

• A minimum of 3+ years of relevant experience in project cost management, project controls, construction finance, or a similar discipline.

• Proficient in forecasting, cost reporting, change management, accruals, and earned value analysis.

• Strong understanding of construction cost control principles and project financial management.

• Experience in reviewing project budgets, cost reports, commitments, invoices, change orders, and forecasts.

• Familiarity with GMP structures and Schedules of Values is preferred.

• Experience in supporting contract administration and change-control processes.

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and financial reporting skills.

• Ability to identify cost trends, variances, and risks, and effectively communicate findings to project stakeholders.

• High attention to detail with the capability to maintain accuracy across multiple projects and competing priorities.

• Capability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple deadlines.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across Construction, Project Management, Finance, and external project teams.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

• Experience with Microsoft Project or similar project management/project control tools is preferred.

• Background in construction, real estate development, mission-critical projects, or data center experience is preferred.

• Ability to work independently in a remote setting while maintaining effective communication and accountability across project teams.

• Willingness to travel up to 30% based on business and project requirements.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary with incentive opportunities that acknowledge your achievements and contributions.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Life and disability insurance programs.

• Options for voluntary benefits.

• Generous paid time off policy.

• Educational assistance and tuition support.

• Retirement and savings programs.