Cost Control Manager

Job Overview

The Cost Control Manager will be responsible for revising and standardizing cost control procedures across all projects at MARCO, ensuring consistent enforcement of cost codes and control structures company-wide in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This role involves establishing a monthly reporting cadence, managing control budgets through change cycles, and maintaining commitment monitoring for subcontracts and purchase orders. The manager will track cost movements, produce comprehensive monthly cost-value reconciliations by cost code, and forecast project costs to completion. They will provide key financial insights for cash flow planning and independently oversee project expenditures, escalating risks to executive leadership. Additionally, the position includes managing cost data for asset consumption and reporting portfolio performance to CEOs and joint-venture boards. The role entails overseeing and developing the cost control and quantity surveying teams, setting standards, and enhancing cost control capabilities across projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Update and enforce MARCO’s cost control practices as formal controlled documents across projects.
• Manage the company-wide cost breakdown and coding standard for all projects.
• Implement a monthly cost reporting schedule with clear inputs and ownership assignments.
• Translate project budgets and margins into dynamic control budgets maintained throughout changes.
• Oversee commitments on subcontracts and purchase orders to provide visibility of costs before actual expenditures.
• Maintain a trend and change register documenting cost variances as they occur.
• Generate monthly cost-value reconciliations explaining variances at each cost code.
• Forecast cost at completion and cost to complete, identifying early signs of potential losses.
• Supply accurate cost forecasts to the CFO for cash flow management.
• Independently track and report project expenditures and escalate cost issues to the CEO.
• Deliver cost data supporting consumption and reconciliation controls for equipment, fuel, materials, and labor.
• Present portfolio cost performance reports to executives and joint-venture boards regularly.
• Provide functional leadership and oversight to project cost control and quantity surveying personnel.
• Participate in hiring and competency assessments for cost control staff.
• Enhance the technical and operational cost control capability within project teams.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, or Accounting with relevant construction experience.
• At least 15 years of experience in construction cost control, project controls, or commercial management, including a minimum of 5 years in a senior or head-of-function role managing multiple projects.
• Proven experience and ownership in cost-value reconciliation and cost forecasting on large-scale projects with detailed methodological understanding.
• Hands-on experience with ERP cost modules, including involvement in implementations or significant upgrades.
• Specific experience with Oracle Fusion cost management systems.
• Professional certification such as CCP (AACE International), MRICS, or an equivalent credential.
• Experience managing joint-venture cost controls and regular reporting to joint-venture boards.