Senior Cost Consultant

An excellent Senior Cost Consultant job opportunity in Victoria, British Columbia with a leading construction consultancy. The successful candidate will provide cost planning, estimating and cost management services across a varied portfolio of building and infrastructure projects while supporting junior team members and maintaining strong client relationships.

Project Details

The Senior Cost Consultant will work on a diverse portfolio of real estate and infrastructure projects across Victoria and British Columbia.

Projects may include residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and infrastructure developments at different stages of the construction lifecycle.

The successful Senior Cost Consultant will provide construction cost estimating and cost management advice from early conceptual design through pre-tender and construction stages, helping clients manage budgets, change, risk and overall project value.

Responsibilities and Duties

The Senior Cost Consultant will join an established cost management team in Victoria and will be responsible for delivering accurate construction cost advice to clients across a variety of projects.

The role will suit an experienced Cost Consultant, Quantity Surveyor or Senior Quantity Surveyor with strong estimating and client-facing skills.

• Prepare construction cost estimates and quantify materials using appropriate measurement and estimating software
• Prepare estimates in accordance with recognised Canadian quantity surveying measurement standards, including elemental and divisional trade formats as required
• Prepare estimates of probable costs for labour, materials and equipment based on drawings, specifications, quotations and construction information
• Produce construction cost estimates at different stages of the design process, from conceptual design through to pre-tender stage
• Undertake periodic construction site inspections to assess work in place and estimated cost to complete
• Provide proactive cost management advice and clearly explain cost reports and recommendations to clients
• Review and analyse cost variances between different estimating and design stages
• Undertake quality assurance and quality control reviews of cost management reports
• Prepare change order reviews, cost analysis and lifecycle cost estimates
• Advise on construction costs, escalation, contingency, cash flow and other factors affecting overall project budgets
• Prepare technical information and fee input for proposals
• Support, coach and mentor junior Cost Consultants and Quantity Surveyors, including providing guidance during site inspections
• Build and maintain positive relationships with clients and other project stakeholders
• Support business development activities through networking, cross-selling and developing new professional contacts

Desired Skills and Experience

The successful Senior Cost Consultant will ideally have a strong background in quantity surveying, construction cost estimating or cost management consultancy.

Candidates should be comfortable working independently while also contributing to a collaborative cost consulting team.

• Approximately 5 to 10 years or more of relevant construction cost management, quantity surveying or estimating experience
• At least 2 years of experience coaching or mentoring junior members of a cost management team
• Strong knowledge of construction cost planning and estimating at different stages of project design and delivery
• Good understanding of the Canadian construction industry, including development, contracting and professional consultancy services
• Experience reviewing construction drawings, specifications and consultant reports
• Ability to understand the cost implications of specialist consultant information and development proposals
• Experience of change order analysis and cost variance reporting
• Previous experience of construction site inspections and assessing work in place would be advantageous
• Strong analytical skills with excellent attention to detail
• Good client-facing, interpersonal and stakeholder management skills
• Strong written communication and report-writing ability
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills
• Ability to manage individual responsibilities while working effectively as part of a wider team
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Experience using CostX, PlanSwift or similar construction estimating and quantity surveying software
• Candidates should be eligible to work in Canada or currently pursuing an appropriate Canadian work permit

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• A university degree, diploma or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Construction Engineering, Architectural or Building Technology, Estimating, Project Management, Finance or a related construction discipline
• PQS accreditation through the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors would be highly desirable and/or MRICS accreditation through the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors would also be desirable
• Candidates actively working towards a relevant professional cost management or quantity surveying qualification will also be considered

Employing Company Overview and Profile

Maxim Recruitment is working on behalf of an established professional consultancy seeking an experienced Senior Cost Consultant to join its cost management team in Victoria, British Columbia.

The consultancy provides professional construction and property advisory services across real estate and infrastructure projects. Its cost management specialists advise clients throughout the development lifecycle, providing services including construction cost planning, estimating, change management, cost control and project risk advice.

The business works across a broad range of residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and infrastructure projects and offers an environment where experienced cost professionals can continue developing their technical, client-facing and leadership skills.

A full client overview will be given to shortlisted candidates.

Additional Benefits Package and Incentives

• Salary of CAD $80,000 – $120,000 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications
• Flexible working environment supporting work-life balance
• Health and dental benefits
• Above-average holiday entitlement
• Parental leave top-up
• RRSP matching
• Bonus opportunities
• Paid sick days
• Employee Assistance Programme and health and wellbeing resources
• Professional development and continuous learning support
• Opportunity to work on a varied portfolio of significant construction and infrastructure projects