Cost Manager

About the Role

Parsons is looking for a Cost Manager to lead financial oversight for major, complex infrastructure assignments. The position calls for someone with a strong technical grounding and commercial judgment to manage project costs from early feasibility estimates through final settlement of the account. The ideal candidate will combine engineering understanding with a strategic, business-focused approach to protect margins and improve transparency across the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Set up and manage baseline budgets, including detailed cost estimates and lifecycle costing for major civil and infrastructure works.
• Apply cost control processes to monitor commitments, spending, and forecasts, and flag any budget deviations early.
• Assess the financial implications of design revisions, site directives, and scope variations, while negotiating effectively with contractors and other stakeholders to secure value for money.
• Run value engineering sessions using civil engineering knowledge to identify lower-cost alternatives that still meet quality and safety standards.
• Use earned value management techniques to connect cost and schedule data, and report on CPI and SPI performance.
• Prepare monthly commercial reports, cash flow projections, and executive-level financial dashboards.
• Handle the commercial administration of contracts such as NEC and FIDIC, including progress payment valuations and claims reviews.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• At least 15 years of experience in cost management and project controls, ideally within construction or engineering environments.
• Strong knowledge of construction techniques, materials, and technical specifications for large civil and infrastructure projects.
• Advanced capability in cost management systems such as Prism, Ecosys, or SAP, along with expert-level Microsoft Excel skills.
• Demonstrated experience in procurement planning, risk management, and commercial negotiation.
• MRICS or CCE/CCP certification is highly desirable.
• Strong leadership ability to guide multi-disciplinary commercial teams.
• Excellent analytical thinking and a sharp eye for detail.
• Ability to explain complex financial information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• A strong commitment to ethical conduct and financial integrity.

Additional Information

Parsons promotes a workplace built on respect, inclusion, agility, and growth, with a focus on helping employees reach their full potential. The company supports equal opportunity across all job levels regardless of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. Candidates should also be aware of recruitment fraud risks; more information is available through Parsons’ fraud reporting guidance.