Associate Director - Cost Management

Job Title: Associate Director - Cost Management Job Description
The Associate Director of Cost Management plays a key leadership role in supporting the delivery of a large-scale advanced manufacturing construction program. This position oversees all project cost management activities and leads a team of cost professionals responsible for budgeting, forecasting, estimating, and commercial oversight on a multi-billion-dollar capital project. The role is ideal for a seasoned cost management professional with deep experience in semiconductor, advanced technology, mission-critical, or large industrial construction projects, and a proven track record managing cost controls across complex construction programs.
Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of cost management and commercial professionals while driving best practices and project controls standards across the program.
- Oversee budgeting, estimating, forecasting, cost reporting, and financial performance for large-scale construction programs, ensuring accuracy and transparency.
- Monitor project costs, risks, change orders, and forecasts to maintain alignment with approved budgets, schedule milestones, and overall delivery objectives.
- Serve as a key partner to clients, contractors, and project leadership, providing clear financial insights, scenario analysis, and strategic recommendations to support decision-making.
- Support procurement activities, contract administration, and commercial strategy, including bid analysis, negotiation support, and management of contractual obligations.
- Lead and refine change management processes, ensuring that scope changes, variations, and claims are properly evaluated, documented, and incorporated into project forecasts.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives within cost management and project controls, enhancing reporting capabilities, analytics, and tools to improve efficiency and accuracy.
- Contribute to organizational growth and operational excellence by standardizing cost management procedures, promoting knowledge sharing, and supporting the adoption of best practices.
- Collaborate closely with project management, construction management, and quantity surveying teams to align cost, schedule, and scope, and to support integrated project delivery.
- Utilize cost management, estimating, and project controls software platforms, as well as Excel and On Screen Takeoff, to develop detailed estimates, track performance, and produce management reports.
- Ensure that project budgets for semiconductor, advanced technology, and industrial facilities are rigorously developed, maintained, and communicated to key stakeholders.
- Maintain strong stakeholder management and communication, presenting cost reports, forecasts, and commercial positions clearly to internal and external audiences.
Essential Skills
- At least 10 years of experience in construction cost management, estimating, project controls, quantity surveying, or commercial management.
- Demonstrated experience supporting large-scale semiconductor, advanced technology, mission-critical, manufacturing, or industrial construction projects.
- Proven experience managing cost controls on capital projects with a value exceeding $500 million.
- Strong background in budgeting, forecasting, estimating, change management, contracts, and financial oversight for complex construction programs.
- Demonstrated experience leading teams of project controls, cost management, or commercial professionals in a high-volume commercial construction environment.
- Deep understanding of construction delivery methods, project controls systems, and cost management best practices.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively and manage diverse stakeholders.
- Experience as an estimator, cost consultant, cost manager, or quantity surveyor within construction or industrial projects.
- Proficiency in project management and construction management principles, including contract and bid analysis and forecasting.
- Strong Excel skills, with the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, high-volume commercial construction setting.
- Ability to interpret and manage project budgets for complex semiconductor and advanced manufacturing facilities.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience supporting semiconductor fabrication facilities, cleanroom construction, or advanced manufacturing environments.
- Professional certifications such as PMP, CCP, MRICS, PQS, or similar industry credentials.
- Knowledge of CSA (Civil, Structural, Architectural) and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) scopes and their cost implications.
- Experience working within EPC, EPCM, design-build, or integrated project delivery environments.
- Advanced proficiency with cost management, estimating, and project controls software platforms.
- Knowledge of On Screen Takeoff estimating software and its application in quantity takeoff and cost estimating.
- Strong stakeholder management capabilities, with the ability to build relationships and influence outcomes.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development, supported by access to education platforms and review programs.
Work Environment
This role operates in a hybrid work environment, with a minimum of four days per week on site at a semiconductor construction facility in Chandler, Arizona. The setting is highly collaborative, with close interaction among project controls, construction management, and client teams supporting advanced manufacturing and cleanroom projects. The position is structured as a salaried role with a standard 40-hour workweek that promotes work-life balance. Team members receive paid time off, including vacation, holiday, and sick leave, along with access to benefits such as medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) program, and additional perks through discount and ongoing education platforms. The organization functions as an owners representative consulting firm with a global presence, offering a professional, fast-paced environment focused on large, complex semiconductor and industrial construction programs.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chandler, AZ.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $76.92 - $81.73/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Chandler,AZ.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 22, 2026. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
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San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
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shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
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including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
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