Senior Cost Manager - Facilities & Capital Projects

Job DescriptionJob Description

Location: In-office in Fresno, Stockton, Sacramento or Oakland

Employment Type: Full Time

Estimated Duration: 24+ months, no defined end to engagement

About the role:

We are seeking a highly skilled Cost Management Lead for our client at one of the largest electric and gas utilities in California. This position is part of the real estate group for a major utility in Northern California, which manages a large portfolio of buildings, corporate facilities, and capital projects. This is a leader-level role that requires experience in real estate, buildings, and facilities, with a focus on cost estimating, cost control, and reporting for facilities-related work. The position ensures accuracy and alignment with budget targets from project inception to closeout.

You will lead the development and validation of cost estimates, oversee cost control and reporting, and manage data flows into executive dashboards. Close collaboration with project managers, estimators, construction managers, and contractors will be essential for delivering accurate cost forecasts and actionable insights.

Why Join Us?

Innovation Consulting LLC, you will play a crucial role in driving our commitment to emotional intelligence, efficiency, and innovation, ensuring that we deliver positive outcomes for our clients and the communities we serve. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their unique perspectives to the table.

Key Responsibilities:

• Estimate Development & Validation
• Develop Class 5 through 1 cost estimates for buildings and facilities projects, including detailed quantity takeoffs and Basis of Estimate (BOE).
• Validate contractor estimates for scope, productivity, markups, allowances, escalation, and risk.
• Cost Control & Reporting
• Manage budgets, commitments, forecasts, and change orders from planning through closeout.
• Issue cost reports, variance analyses, burn-rate updates, and earned value metrics.
• Data & Dashboard Management
• Oversee data integration into executive dashboards (Power BI/Tableau) with focus on facilities cost metrics.
• Develop KPIs and portfolio roll-ups by region, facility type, or program.
• Stakeholder Collaboration
• Partner with project managers, construction managers, estimators, finance teams, and contractors to provide cost intelligence for decision-making.
• Commercial Support
• Provide pricing benchmarks, ROM estimates, and cost analysis for facilities-related contract negotiations.
• Validate pay applications and ensure cost coding aligns with work breakdown structures (WBS) for capitalization and reporting.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship
• Mentor junior staff, reviewing deliverables for accuracy, consistency, and best practice compliance.

Work Model and On-Site Requirements:

• Onsite at utility offices Fresno, Stockton, Sacramento or Oakland (employee preference).
• Potential for hybrid schedule after the first 6 months.
• Travel is expected 0-10% of the time.

What We Are Looking For:

• Bachelors degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Finance, Quantity Surveying, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years in cost management and estimating for buildings, corporate facilities, or utility real estate programs.
• Proficiency in estimating techniques (parametric, analogous, detailed) and tools such as RSMeans, Sage/Timberline, InEight, Prism/ARES, Procore, Unifier, or Primavera P6.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, earned value management, and change control.
• Strong Excel/Power Query skills; proficiency in Power BI or Tableau for dashboarding.
• Ability to review and reconcile contractor estimates and document TIC (Total Installed Cost) assumptions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; proven ability to lead or mentor junior staff.

Attributes:

• Prior experience on the owner side in corporate real estate or utility facilities capital programs.
• Familiarity with CPUC requirements, utility governance, and asset capitalization rules.
• Certifications such as CCP (AACE), MRICS, CCT/CEP, PE, or CM-Lean.

Compensation:

• Salary Range: $130,000 to $209,000 per year
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision, retirement plan, reimbursement account, PTO (Paid time Off) and discount plans.
• No waiting period on benefits package.They are available immediately and accrual items begin accruing immediately.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
• Supportive and collaborative work environment.

Medical, Dental and Vision:

• Benefits are provided through Covered California, where you can choose from over 40 health plans that best fit your needs.
• Our Health Reimbursement Account helps us cost-share the premiums with our employees
• Premiums are mostly, or sometimes entirely covered by the Health Reimbursement Account, depending on the level of plan you select.
• HRA (Health Reimbursement Account) can be used for covering costs of plan premiums as well as point-of-service costs and copays
• Benefit amounts for 2025:
• Employee only: $6,600 ($550 per month)
• Employee plus one: $10,320 ($860 per month)
• Employee plus family: $14,040 ($1,170 per month)
• All plans may carryover up to $5,000 to the next year

Retirement Savings Plan:

• 401K program with safe-harbor company matching contributions dollar-for-dollar

up to 6% of employee contributions.

• 401K program custodian with a history of high-performing funds.
• Discretionary supplemental match each year.

PTO (Paid Time Off)

• Holidays: Paid holidays for full-time employees, averaging 11 days per year, following utility holiday schedules.
• Sick time: 40 hours per year accrued on a bi-weekly basis, carryover allowed to next year.
• Vacation pay: accrued on a bi-weekly basis, carryover allowed to the next year.
• Vacation accrual details based on years of employment with our firm:
• 0-2 years: 2 weeks or 80 hours per year
• 3-4 years: 3 weeks or 120 hours per year
• 5+ years: 4 weeks or 160 hours per year

Additional Benefits:

• Discount program on memberships, hotels, travel, concerts electronics and other items.
• No waiting period on benefits package.Benefits eligibility is available immediately and accrual items begin accruing immediately.
• With our 401K program, you are 100% vested in all deposits from day one, no vesting period on your contributions or company contribution.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
• Supportive and collaborative work environment.

At Innovation Consulting LLC, youll be part of a team that believes in building a better worldstarting with you. Were committed to creating an environment where you feel valued, supported, empowered, and inspired to bring your unique talents to the table, driving positive change for our clients and communities.

Join us, and youll have the opportunity to grow with a company that values , ethical leadership, and sustainability, all while making a real impact in the world through our innovative and inclusive culture.