Cost Manager

• Communicate the business of the Cost Manager with clarity and precision to a wide variety of stakeholders including peers (Project Managers), Management, Executives, and clients (Faculties and Staff Groups).
• Cost Management Services: You will apply your extensive knowledge and skills to offer expert cost management advice and consultation to the University. This includes cost analysis, planning, budget development, and variance analysis.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure the uniform application of cost management tools and techniques and provide input for continuous improvement.
• Advisor / Influencer: You will provide clear, transparent, and well-researched advice to our university leaders, building trust through your professionalism and openness.
• Issue Resolver: You'll identify key issues, clarify problems, and offer innovative solutions. Your ability to analyze complex issues and provide recommendations will be crucial.
• Relationship Manager: Building and maintaining productive relationships with colleagues and team members is essential. You'll use your network to advance our goals and actively participate in communities of practice

• Applies the vertical infrastructure cost management system and professional cost management principles to specific capital projects, working directly with project managers, clients, and consultants in a multi-disciplinary team environment to provide cost management services. Cost management services include cost analysis (functional and elemental), cost planning, business case development, capital budget development, variance analysis, tender analysis, analysis of claims, and life cycle costing.
• Researches and evaluates existing and emerging best practices relating to the provision of cost management services, recommending the adoption of innovative practices, approaches, standards, templates, and tools.
• Ensures that representatives of the University of Alberta are provided with expert cost management advice, consultation, and guidance.

• Consults and collaborates in a multi-disciplinary team environment to:

• determine requirements for cost management services and alternatives for provision.
• establish cost management service standards and terms of reference.
• select appropriate cost management consultants, when required, in accordance with established practices.
• review the work and deliverables of cost consultants for compliance with terms of reference.
• Performs troubleshooting for issues relating to the provision of services by cost management consultants.
• Provides training and guidance to project management staff and clients as to the use of cost management models and reports.
• Maintains current knowledge of innovation pertaining to the delivery and application of cost management systems through ongoing review of journals, participation at conferences, and continued professional development.
• Ensures that the University of Alberta is provided with quality assurance and project support input to support uniform approaches to cost management.

• Performs quality assurance checks to ensure appropriate and consistent application of cost management tools.
• Provides feedback and input pertaining to techniques and tools (cost plan standards, templates, tools, business processes, and systems etc.) to develop and support continuous improvement of a cost management system.
• Identifies opportunities to improve University cost management procedures, templates and products/reports.
• Provides advice, consultation, and recommendations for issues, opportunities, and challenges associated with cost management, including the review of change pricing and claims and preparing responses to action requests, briefing documents, and reports.
• Ensures that key information and learnings are documented and retained in order to develop an internal database.

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 3-5 years of directly related experience in the profession or discipline
• Eligibility for designation as a PQS with the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
• The Cost Manager must be able to effectively apply the full set of Quantity Surveyor skills, theories, and principles (as defined by the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors).
• This position must be knowledgeable and capable to credibly represent cost management principles, systems and associated components to clients in a professional manner; consult with clients and perform quality assurance activities on their behalf. The Cost Manager requires significant competence in problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and a focus on providing high quality expertise, guidance, and services.

• Skills in team collaboration and clear and concise communication.
• Skills in applying cost management principles and techniques to high profile or complex building projects, including an ability to function effectively as an internal costing expert.
• Ability to advise and guide others, particularly in relation to securing external cost management consultant resources.
• Consultation and interpersonal skills to deal effectively with complex and sensitive issues involving diverse clients with potentially conflicting perspectives, expectations, and requirements and to provide direct cost management services for all assigned projects.
• Analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving skills, including ability to analyze information and risks; make decisions in alignment with business plan goals; and to provide cost management expertise.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including ability to develop and present alternatives and recommendations to decision-makers.
• Time management and organizational skills, including ability to handle complex responsibilities and meet deadlines.
• An ability to work independently or within a team environment and maintain a current awareness of cost management industry direction

• Canadian Construction Association Gold Seal in Estimating would be considered an asset.

University of Alberta