Cost Controls Lead

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OVERVIEW
The Cost Controls Lead is a senior program-level leadership role within the Center of Excellence (COE) responsible for cost governance estimating rigor forecasting accuracy and financial risk visibility across the portfolio. This role leads the Program Estimators team and owns the standards methodologies and outputs that ensure cost certainty and predictable outcomes across all authorized service lines.

Reporting directly to the COE Lead the Cost Controls Lead establishes and enforces estimating standards maintains program benchmarks and market intelligence and provides leadership focus on cost performance recovery and continuous improvement. The role operates as an enterprise enablement functionsupporting early-phase decision-making while maintaining strong discipline through pricing milestoneswithout assuming day-to-day project cost management or negotiation authority.

JOB SUMMARY/GOALS

This role provides program-wide leadership for cost controls and estimating functions within the COE. Key goals include:

• Own and enforce cost governance estimating standards and financial discipline across the program

• Lead and develop the Program Estimators team to deliver consistent phase-appropriate cost outputs

• Improve cost predictability through benchmarking analytics and risk visibility

• Support early-phase decision-making through high-quality estimates and value opportunity insights

• Provide leadership focus to address historical cost challenges and improve portfolio outcomes

Partner closely with Project Delivery Team Scheduling Design Enablement PMO and Innovation to align cost schedule and constructability decisions

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Cost Governance & Estimating Leadership (Program-Level)

• Own program-wide cost controls standards estimating methodologies and governance frameworks
• Establish and maintain disciplined estimating practices across scoping engineered drawing and final pricing phases
• Ensure consistent application of cost assumptions exclusions and risk documentation
• Provide leadership oversight to ensure estimates are complete defensible and aligned with approved scope
• Serve as the senior escalation point for cost-related risks variances or confidence concerns

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead mentor and develop the Program Estimators team
• Set performance expectations prioritize workload and ensure consistent quality of deliverables
• Create clear development pathways and growth opportunities for estimating team members
• Promote collaboration between Estimators Design Scheduling and Industrialized Construction teams

Budget Development & Validation

• Oversee development and validation of:
• Scoping budgets
• Engineered Drawing budgets
• Final Pricing budgets
• Validate alignment between scope quantities and pricing at defined milestones
• Support bid reviews focused on scope completeness and pricing reasonableness
• Ensure apples-to-apples bid comparisons through compliance and completeness checks

Benchmarking & Market Intelligence

• Establish and maintain historical cost benchmarks by project type prototype and market
• Lead annual program-level benchmarking updates
• Monitor market conditions cost drivers and pricing volatility
• Provide standardized variance narratives and market context to leadership and clients

Cost Risk Visibility & Analytics

• Lead portfolio-level analysis of budget movement across pricing stages
• Identify recurring scope gaps cost growth drivers and estimating accuracy trends
• Maintain program-level cost assumption and risk registers
• Provide early warning insights to support recovery planning and decision-making

Value Opportunity Identification (Advisory)

• Identify repeatable scope specification or constructability alternatives with cost implications
• Support value engineering discussions through data-driven analysis and recommendations
• Provide advisory input only; no negotiation approval or implementation authority

Cross-Pillar COE Integration

• Partner with Scheduling to align cost and schedule assumptions
• Collaborate with Design Enablement to influence early-phase decisions
• Coordinate with Industrialized Construction to embed standardization and innovation
• Support PMO and Program Support functions with cost insight data and reporting alignment

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelors Degree in Construction Management Engineering Architecture Accounting or related field
• 710 years of experience in construction cost management or estimating
• Demonstrated experience leading estimating or cost controls teams
• Strong understanding of CSI trade costs and multi-phase estimating
• Experience supporting retail restaurant or prototype-driven programs preferred

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Deep expertise in construction estimating cost modeling and financial risk management
• Strong leadership and team development capabilities
• Ability to influence early-phase decisions through clear credible cost insight
• High analytical rigor with the ability to translate data into executive-level narratives
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage client and JLL leadership
• Working knowledge of architectural and engineering drawings
• Proficiency with estimating and cost tools (e.g. RSMeans CostX Bluebeam PlanSwift)
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and data analysis tools

BENEFICIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience operating within a Center of Excellence or program controls environment
• Prior exposure to portfolio-level analytics and benchmarking
• Familiarity with JLL PDS standards controls and governance frameworks
• Experience supporting innovation or industrialized construction initiatives

This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Estimated compensation for this position:

This range is an estimate and actual compensation may differ. Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications location market conditions and internal considerations.

Location:

If this job description resonates with you we encourage you to apply even if you dont meet all the requirements. Were interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!

Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth:

JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits may include:

• 401(k) plan with matching company contributions

• Comprehensive Medical Dental & Vision Care

• Paid parental leave at 100% of salary

• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays

• Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay

At JLL we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities we analyze your application for relevant skills experiences and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role yourepursuing.

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