Construction Cost Manager (Project Manager I)

About the Role

Gilbane is seeking a Construction Cost Manager- Project Manager I (Data Center) to support the Senior Project Manager and/or Project Manager II in the overall direction, completion, and financial outcome of a construction project, or serve in the lead role over a small project. This position will be on the job site daily and will fill a key role on the project team.

As a Top-10 ENR Contractor, Gilbane is a family-owned business with 45 offices, shaping communities since 1870. The company is committed to delivering projects safely and on-time, offering opportunities to build schools, labs, hospitals, corporate offices, sports arenas, and more.

Gilbane is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. Candidates whose past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification are still encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Lead project cost management and change-management processes from identification through execution.
• Manage the lifecycle of change events, including scope review, pricing analysis, stakeholder coordination, documentation, and final resolution.
• Partner directly with project managers, superintendents, and trade partners to identify, evaluate, and manage potential changes to project scope.
• Analyze construction drawings, specifications, field conditions, installed work, and proposed changes to determine cost impacts and validate pricing.
• Review and challenge subcontractor change order proposals, including labor, material, equipment, demolition, rework, and schedule-related costs.
• Develop and maintain cost forecasts, trend logs, change logs, risk tracking, and financial reporting for project leadership.
• Utilize Clearstory and other project management systems to manage change events, track status, and maintain complete project cost documentation.
• Drive accountability by actively managing open cost and change items through resolution and ensuring timely responses from all stakeholders.
• Support GMP development, budgeting exercises, cost modeling, and financial planning efforts.
• Prepare executive-level reporting related to project financial status, pending changes, forecasting, and risk exposure.
• Ensure all change-management activities align with contract requirements, owner expectations, and project controls procedures.

The ideal candidate brings a combination of construction operations knowledge and financial acumen, understanding how work is built in the field and evaluating cost and schedule impacts. This individual takes ownership of the change-management process and drives issues to resolution.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Building Construction, or related discipline.
• 5-7+ years of commercial construction experience with demonstrated responsibility for cost management, change management, project controls, or financial management.
• Experience reviewing and managing change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of construction means and methods, drawings, specifications, field operations, and project financial controls.
• Proven ability to analyze cost proposals and evaluate the reasonableness of construction pricing.
• Experience coordinating with project teams, field leadership, subcontractors, and clients to resolve cost and scope issues.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting mission-critical projects, including data center, semiconductor, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, or similar complex facilities.
• Experience serving as the lead individual responsible for project cost and change management.
• Experience utilizing Clearstory for change-management workflows.
• Experience with CMiC, Procore, Primavera P6, or similar construction management software.
• Demonstrated experience preparing forecasts, cost reports, trend logs, and executive financial updates.
• Strong understanding of GMP delivery, buyout processes, subcontract administration, and contract change management.

Skills

• Strong technical and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Knowledge of industry-standard software, including Microsoft Office.

Benefits

• Competitive health and welfare benefits.
• Generous profit-sharing/401k plan.
• Multi-dimensional training opportunities through Gilbane University, a top training organization in the construction industry.
• Opportunities to work with experienced Sr. Project Managers and Project Executives on each job site.