We are seeking an experienced Cost Manager / Cost Consultant to oversee cost management activities across a portfolio of major residential, commercial, mixed-use and regeneration development projects in Milan, Italy. The successful candidate will act as the senior cost authority, providing strategic commercial advice, controlling project expenditure, managing procurement and contractual matters, and ensuring accurate financial reporting across multiple developments.

Key Responsibilities

- Prepare initial cost plans, order-of-cost estimates and feasibility assessments for new development opportunities, clearly identifying assumptions, exclusions, risk allowances and budget requirements.
- Advise on the cost implications of site constraints, design options, building specifications, construction methodologies and project phasing strategies.
- Benchmark construction costs against comparable projects in Milan and Northern Italy using cost-per-square-metre, cost-per-unit and elemental cost analysis.
- Develop, maintain and update detailed elemental cost plans throughout all stages of design development, ensuring alignment with approved project budgets.
- Review design information, identify cost movements and provide regular cost comparisons against previous estimates and approved budgets.
- Lead value engineering and cost optimisation exercises with architects, engineers, contractors and client representatives.
- Evaluate proposed design changes and variations, assessing their impact on project costs, quality, programme, maintenance and long-term performance.
- Develop appropriate procurement strategies, considering traditional procurement, design and build, construction management and other contractual arrangements.




- Negotiate and agree final accounts with main contractors and specialist subcontractors, ensuring timely commercial close-out.
- Maintain comprehensive and audit-ready cost records, including variations, contractual correspondence, payment certificates, cost reports and final account documentation.
- Consolidate cost reports across multiple developments, providing a consistent financial overview for senior management, investors and lenders.
- Establish cost management procedures, reporting standards, templates and controls to ensure consistency across the development programme.
- Provide guidance and technical supervision to cost managers, quantity surveyors and junior commercial team members.
- Present cost forecasts, commercial risks, procurement recommendations and financial performance updates to project directors, clients, board-level stakeholders and investors.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including development, commercial, legal, planning, design and construction professionals, to protect the client's financial interests.

Requirements

- Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Economics, Civil Engineering, Construction Management or a closely related discipline.
- Minimum 12 years of professional experience in cost management, quantity surveying or commercial management, preferably within large-scale residential,



commercial, mixed-use or regeneration developments.
- Proven experience managing project costs across multiple developments simultaneously, from initial feasibility and budgeting through procurement, construction and final account settlement.
- Strong experience in cost planning, estimating, measurement, elemental cost analysis, benchmarking and financial forecasting.
- Demonstrated expertise in procurement strategy, tender management, contract administration, commercial negotiations and variation management.
- Strong understanding of construction cost drivers, material price fluctuations, labour costs, procurement practices and market conditions.
- Experience working in a client-side, consultancy or contractor-side commercial environment, with a clear understanding of different project stakeholder requirements.
- Previous experience managing cost teams and establishing standardised reporting and cost control procedures across multiple projects will be highly preferred.
- Professional membership of RICS, AICQ or an equivalent recognised professional body will be an advantage.
- Excellent commercial judgement, negotiation, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly to clients, contractors, investors and senior management.
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and maintain accurate commercial records across multiple projects.
- Professional proficiency in written and spoken English is essential.
- Italian language proficiency will be strongly preferred, particularly knowledge of Ital

📌 Cost Manager (Lombardia)
🏢 TRX
📍 Lombardia