Senior Cost Manager (USA based and Relocation from UK & Australia)

San Francisco Bay Area

Up to $155,000 + bonus

A growing cost management team is hiring experienced Cost Manager to support a major long-term account with a leading confidential client. The programme is expanding quickly and has the potential to grow into a 30+ person team, offering strong progression, project security and exposure to major capital works.

The work includes large-scale office and pharma campus redevelopment projects, with individual schemes reaching up to $600m+. Pharma experience is not essential; the priority is strong Quantity Surveying fundamentals, commercial awareness and the ability to operate confidently on complex built environment projects.

The Role – Senior Cost Manager 

You will support the delivery of major campus redevelopment work, providing cost management expertise across pre-contract and post-contract stages.

Responsibilities include:

• Preparing cost plans, estimates, budgets and cashflow forecasts
• Managing procurement, tender analysis and contract recommendations
• Supporting change control, valuations, cost reporting and final accounts
• Working closely with the client, design team, contractors and internal stakeholders
• Providing commercial advice across major construction packages
• Supporting junior team members where required
• Maintaining accurate project cost data and reporting

Minimum Qualifications

• 6+ years’ Quantity Surveying / cost management experience for Senior level
• Consultancy, client-side, developer, main contractor or cost consultancy background
• Strong cost planning, procurement and post-contract experience
• Experience on large-scale building projects
• Willingness to be based in San Francisco with regular onsite work in South San Francisco
• Quantity Surveying training or experience preferred
• If relocating must have British, Australian or American Passports

Nice to Have

• MRICS or working towards chartership
• Life sciences, pharma, healthcare, commercial office or campus project experience
• Relocation appetite for San Francisco
• Experience working with major corporate or institutional clients

Why Join

• Major long-term account with strong growth potential
• Projects up to $600m+
• Opportunity to join early as the team scales
• Clear progression potential across multiple levels
• Relocation and in-country candidates considered
• Exposure to complex commercial and life sciences redevelopment work

Requirements:

• Quantity Surveying / cost management background
• Strong pre- and post-contract experience
• Large building project exposure
• Willingness to be based in San Francisco
• QS experience preferred