Senior Cost Control Manager📣 Job Ad

About the Role

Chestertons MENA is expanding its Building Consultancy & Project Management team and is seeking a highly experienced Senior Cost Control Manager to join their dynamic operations in Saudi Arabia. This role is crucial for ensuring the financial success and strategic alignment of various construction projects within the Kingdom. The Senior Cost Control Manager will play a pivotal role in managing project finances from inception through to completion, providing expert financial guidance and robust cost control measures. This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity for a seasoned professional looking to make a significant impact in the Saudi Arabian construction market.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare preliminary budgets, cost plans, benchmark studies, and financial feasibility evaluations during the early stages of projects.
• Develop comprehensive project budgets considering market conditions, contractor pricing trends, procurement strategies, and construction methodologies.
• Review design developments and assess their financial implications on overall project budgets and delivery strategies.
• Develop and maintain detailed project cost reports, cash flow forecasts, cost trackers, and commercial reporting systems across multiple projects.
• Monitor project expenditures, commitments, variations, claims, and forecast final project costs against approved budgets.
• Support tendering activities, including Bill of Quantities (BOQ) reviews, commercial comparisons, tender analysis, and contractor evaluations.
• Challenge unrealistic consultant estimates and provide commercially grounded recommendations to management teams.
• Proactively identify cost risks and support value engineering initiatives without compromising project quality or operational objectives.
• Benchmark project costs against comparable hospitality, fit-out, and mixed-use developments within the Saudi market.
• Coordinate with Design Managers, Project Managers, planners, consultants, contractors, and procurement teams to ensure alignment between scope, cost, and program.
• Prepare executive-level financial reports, dashboards, and cost summaries for management and Board presentations.
• Review contractor payment applications, variation submissions, and commercial proposals.
• Support the establishment of cost control procedures, governance systems, and reporting standards across all projects.
• Support project close-out activities, including final account reviews, commercial reconciliation, and final cost reporting.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Commercial Management, or a related field.
• A relevant degree or qualification in Quantity Surveying.
• Approximately 10 to 18 years of experience in cost management, commercial management, project controls, or construction financial management roles.
• Proven experience in hospitality, fit-out, commercial, mixed-use, or high-end construction projects.
• Strong knowledge of Saudi construction market pricing, contractor costing structures, procurement methods, and commercial practices.
• A solid understanding of budgeting, cost forecasting, BOQs, tendering, procurement, variations, and commercial reporting.
• Good understanding of construction methodologies, fit-out systems, MEP coordination, and project delivery processes.
• Experience reviewing Issued For Construction (IFC) packages, tender documentation, contracts, and project specifications.
• Experience working in fast-track project environments with multiple concurrent projects.
• GCC experience is preferred.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Cost Control and Budgeting
• Cost Planning and Financial Feasibility
• Cost Forecasting and Cashflow Forecasting
• Commercial Reporting and Cost Tracking
• Tendering Activities, BOQ Reviews, Tender Analysis, and Contractor Evaluations
• Value Engineering and Cost Risk Identification
• Benchmarking
• Project Management principles
• Financial Reporting and Presentation Skills
• Proficiency in Cost Management Systems and Microsoft Excel
• In-depth knowledge of Saudi Construction Market Pricing, Procurement Methods, and Commercial Practices
• Understanding of Construction Methodologies, Fit-out Systems, MEP Coordination, and Project Delivery Processes
• Experience reviewing IFC Packages, Tender Documentation, Contracts, and Project Specifications
• Strong Analytical Capabilities
• Client-Side, PMC, or Multi-Project Management Experience
• Strong Coordination and Communication Skills
• Detail-Oriented Approach

Work Location and Type

This is a full-time position based in Saudi Arabia, with project involvement across the Makkah region, including cities such as Jeddah, Makkah, and Riyadh. The role requires strong coordination skills between technical, commercial, procurement, and operational stakeholders, and comfort operating in client-side, PMC, or multi-project management environments. The ideal candidate will be a commercially strong professional with a deep understanding of real market pricing and construction delivery dynamics, capable of providing realistic budget visibility and strategic financial recommendations.