Job Title: Cost Management Consultant
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Cost Management Consultant with a background in the real estate/construction industry and fluency in German to join our client, a global pharmaceutical company based in Littau, Luzern.
Main Responsibilities
1. Manage all aspects of cost management, including budgeting, scheduling, procurement, quality control, and risk management, for real estate projects from planning through to closeout.
2. Oversee financial administration of projects, ensuring compliance with funding policies, purchase orders, and capital expenditure approvals.
3. Develop and present budgets for pre-bid and pre-construction cost estimating and cost planning services in collaboration with the project team.
4. Prepare concept-level estimates to support feasibility studies and business cases using internal benchmarks and market data.
5. Work closely with the project manager and leasing team to assess lease-related costs, optimizing landlord contributions and tenant improvement allowances.
6. Lead procurement processes, including bid analysis and reporting, ensuring cost efficiencies and compliance with procurement policies.
7. Maintain a detailed cost plan, providing regular financial reports and ensuring alignment with project schedules and objectives.
8. Promote Value Engineering (VE) initiatives throughout the project lifecycle to optimize costs and enhance overall project value.
9. Analyze, review, and reconcile all cost estimates and change orders, leading negotiations with contractors and third-party consultants.
10. Conduct lifecycle costing analysis for sustainability initiatives where applicable.
11. Validate invoices against the cost plan and approve expenditures in collaboration with the project team.
12. Manage project closeout procedures, including final cost reconciliations, release of withholdings, and contribution to cost benchmarking databases.
13. Oversee third-party cost management teams, ensuring effective delivery of services and implementing performance management strategies as needed.
Person Specification
* Bachelor's degree (BA/BS/BEng/BArch) in a relevant technical field.
* Minimum of 5 years of experience in cost management, quantity surveying, or project finance.
* Accreditation from RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) or CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building) is preferred.
* Certification such as PMP or LEED AP is an advantage.
* Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with knowledge of MS Project being beneficial.
* Familiarity with estimating software (e.g., OST) is a plus.
* Strong ability to read and interpret architectural drawings.
* Understanding of leases, contracts, and construction practices is preferred.