Senior Cost Manager

Our client are currently seeking a Senior Cost Engineer to join a Major Infrastructure Project based in Dublin, Ireland. This role will focus on Cost Control, forecasting, reporting and commercial performance on a large and complex programme. The successful candidate will work closely with project and commercial teams to ensure robust financial management and reporting

Role Overview

The Senior Cost Manager reports to the Cost Management Lead and plays a key role in the financial stewardship of major projects. This position is responsible for overseeing budgeting, procurement and cost assurance activities, ensuring that strong financial controls are embedded throughout the project lifecycle. The role works closely with multidisciplinary teams to support effective planning, delivery and governance, while promoting best practice and continuous improvement in cost management. A strong focus is placed on accountability, transparency and the effective use of public funds.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain effective cost management and control frameworks to track project budgets, forecasts and actual expenditure.
• Develop, manage and regularly review project budgets to ensure alignment with approved scope, programme and funding constraints.
• Lead and manage procurement activities, ensuring all stages—from pre-qualification through tendering, evaluation and contract award—are undertaken robustly and efficiently.
• Oversee the preparation, issue and assessment of tender documentation, ensuring technical, commercial and contractual accuracy.
• Produce clear, detailed cost reports for senior stakeholders, highlighting trends, risks, variances and opportunities for cost efficiency.
• Work closely with estimating, planning, scope, benefits and systems leads to support integrated project planning and delivery.
• Partner with project managers and key stakeholders to agree cost targets and monitor performance against agreed baselines.
• Identify cost and commercial risks, assessing their potential impact and developing appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Undertake cost analysis to support value engineering and cost‑saving initiatives where appropriate.
• Monitor and manage cost variances, contractor cash flow and payment applications, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Ensure all cost and commercial activities are delivered in line with relevant industry standards, governance requirements and regulatory obligations.
• Champion improvements in cost management processes, leveraging industry best practice, digital tools and innovative approaches.
• Support, coach and guide junior team members, allocating work effectively to ensure high-quality outputs.
• Contribute to earned value management (EVM) processes and interpret performance data to inform project decision-making.
• Lead the assessment of change control events from a cost perspective, ensuring impacts are accurately evaluated and reported.
• Undertake additional duties as required to support the wider objectives of the cost management and project delivery teams.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Degree qualified at Level 8 (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as engineering, construction, cost management or project management.
• Recognised project management qualification (e.g. APM Introductory Certificate or equivalent).
• Professional accounting qualification, such as Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in construction cost management, PQS consultancy or contractor/developer environments.
• Demonstrable experience delivering cost management services on large-scale, high-value infrastructure projects, ideally within metro rail or similarly complex programmes.
• Strong background supporting cost control in major project environments to enable successful delivery against cost, schedule and scope objectives.
• Proven capability in early-stage budgeting, risk management, planning, design cost development and estimating across multiple project phases.
• Extensive experience engaging with and influencing a wide range of internal and external stakeholders at all organisational levels.
• Experience within the rail sector or related industries, with a solid understanding of relevant regulations, standards and financial compliance requirements.

If interested in this opportunity, please click on the link below or feel free to contact Conor Dolan at conor.dolan@trsstaffing.com