Cost Manager / Estimator

Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets.

We are more than 34,000 people, in over 30 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world’s most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.

Role Overview

Arcadis is seeking an experienced Cost Manager / Estimator to provide comprehensive cost management services for fit-out construction projects nationwide. The role spans estimating, detailed benchmarking, procurement, and construction-phase cost support, helping ensure transparency, accuracy, and value throughout each project.

As a member of the Cost Management team, you will lead the commercial aspects of project delivery as part of our team, working closely with clients, contractors, and stakeholders to provide clear cost analysis and practical guidance. Regular site presence is required to support delivery and maintain strong client relationships.

We are looking for a proven cost management professional with commercial real estate experience, strong stakeholder coordination skills, and the ability to promote transparent contractor engagement and successful project outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Management 

• Lead recurring cost review meetings by setting agendas, defining objectives, and guiding informed decisions.
• Facilitate value engineering, risk and contingency, and cost reconciliation discussions with clients, contractors, and design teams.
• Present estimating methods and assumptions, and use data-driven analysis to evaluate scope, quantities, and pricing.
• Reconcile internal and contractor estimates, resolving variances to reach agreed outcomes.

Cost Governance & Assurance

• Oversee peer reviews and QA/QC processes, maintaining clear audit trails and compliance with client standards and procedures.

Commercial & Procurement Support

• Support procurement strategy through bid evaluations, subcontractor and supplier quote reviews, and contract negotiations.
• Evaluate change orders, track cost trends, and support negotiations.
• Prepare clear cost reports, variance analyses, and dashboards, and communicate trends and forecasts effectively.
• Close out contractor accounts upon completion

Collaboration

• Obtain and review detailed contractor pricing to support transparent, validated costs.
• Review drawings, specifications, and technical documents to confirm project scope.
• Conduct regular site visits to support meetings and field verification.
• Collaborate with project management, design, and client teams on budgeting, value engineering, and change management.
• Use experience to identify and mitigate cost and constructability risks.

Key Skills & Attributes

• Proactive, resourceful, and solutions oriented.
• Strong negotiation, stakeholder management, conflict resolution, and executive presentation skills.
• Strong understanding of complex construction processes and end-to-end cost management.
• Expertise in design and tender preparation, supported by strong market knowledge of resources, materials, and equipment.
• Ability to challenge assumptions and promote contractor transparency.
• Proven relationship builder with experience converting client relationships into business opportunities.
• Collaborative team player committed to project excellence.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in quantity surveying, Construction Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant cost management experience, ideally in commercial real estate.
• Demonstrated ability to manage stakeholders, resolve conflicts, and present to executive audiences.
• Experience obtaining and validating detailed cost breakdowns from contractors and subcontractors.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, with proficiency in quantity takeoffs, cost reconciliations, and pricing reviews.
• Proficiency with industry-standard cost and project management tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to travel regularly and maintain a strong site presence.
• Ideally located in New York.
• Must be authorized to work in the US and not require sponsorship.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build effective relationships with clients, contractors, and internal teams.

Why Arcadis?

We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone's contribution matters. It’s why we are pioneering a skills-based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximize the impact we can make together.

You’ll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you’ll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark, on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you.

Together, we can create a lasting legacy.

Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people. We are an equal opportunity employer. We are dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Arcadis offers benefits for full time and part time positions. These benefits include medical, dental, and vision, EAP, 401K, STD, LTD, AD&D, life insurance, paid parental leave, reward & recognition program and optional benefits including wellbeing benefits, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement.  We offer nine paid holidays and 15 days PTO that accrue per year. The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $205,000. Actual salaries will vary and are based on several factors, such as experience, education, budget, internal equity, project and location.