Associate Director - Cost Management
New York Up to $175,000 per annum plus benefits Permanent
Job Reference: 11164
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR – COST MANAGEMENT
Owner’s Representation | New York City
| A senior leadership opportunity to deliver major client programmes, build a New York cost management capability and influence the growth of an ambitious Owner’s Representative business.
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| Location
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New York City
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| Package
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Excellent salary + bonus + long-term incentive plan
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| Working pattern
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New York-based, but initially remote until a more permanent office setup is established. Attendance at client and project locations as required
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About the Company
Our client is a newly established Owner’s Representative firm with ambitious plans to grow across North America.
Founded by a highly regarded construction leader with an excellent track record across major national programmes, the business has already secured significant work with a global technology client. It also has a growing pipeline across luxury retail, hospitality, entertainment and complex programme delivery.
This is an early-stage business with significant momentum. The successful candidate will join at an exciting stage of its growth, delivering high-profile work and helping establish the company’s presence in New York and across the wider region.
About the Role
The business is looking to appoint an Associate Director of Cost Management based in New York City. This is a senior, hands-on position combining project and programme leadership, executive client advice, team development and business growth.
The successful candidate will oversee complex commissions for major clients while helping establish the firm’s cost management presence in New York. They will work closely with the founder and senior leadership team, bringing commercial rigour to project delivery and helping develop the people, standards and relationships required for long-term growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing executive-level commercial leadership across major projects, programmes and client accounts.
- Owning cost strategy, governance, forecasting and commercial reporting from business case through final account.
- Advising clients on investment decisions, procurement routes, contracting strategy, risk and value.
- Leading complex tendering, negotiation, change, claims and final account matters where senior intervention is required.
- Establishing clear cost-control standards, reporting frameworks and quality-assurance procedures across commissions.
- Acting as a trusted adviser to senior client stakeholders and representing the firm in key governance and commercial forums.
- Overseeing the performance and quality of internal teams and external cost consultants across multiple projects.
- Recruiting, mentoring and developing Cost Managers and Senior Cost Managers as the New York team grows.
- Managing resource plans, priorities, commercial performance and delivery risk across the cost management portfolio.
- Supporting proposals, pitches, fee development and the conversion of new and repeat business opportunities.
- Developing market relationships with clients, consultants, contractors and industry partners.
- Working with senior leadership to shape service strategy, operational processes and the firm’s wider North American growth.
About the Person
The successful candidate will be a respected cost management leader with the technical depth to challenge complex commercial positions and the presence to advise senior decision-makers. They will remain close to delivery while also thinking strategically about clients, teams, service quality and growth.
The Ideal Candidate Will Have
- Extensive cost management or quantity surveying experience, including leadership of complex projects or programmes.
- A strong consultancy, Owner’s Representative or client-side track record; relevant contractor or developer experience is also valued.
- Deep expertise in cost planning, procurement, contract strategy, change control, claims, forecasting and final accounts.
- Demonstrable experience advising senior clients and leading commercial negotiations on high-value construction projects.
- Experience managing, mentoring and developing multidisciplinary cost teams.
- Commercial awareness, including an understanding of fees, resourcing, account growth and business development.
- Excellent leadership, communication and relationship-building skills.
- A degree in quantity surveying, construction management, engineering or a related discipline; professional accreditation is strongly preferred.
- A well-developed understanding of the New York construction market and supply chain.
- An entrepreneurial, collaborative approach and motivation to build a market-leading service within a growing business.
Apply
This is a rare opportunity to join an ambitious Owner’s Representative firm at an early stage, lead high-profile client work and play a central role in building its New York cost management platform.
For a confidential conversation, please apply directly or contact the team for further information.
