Cost Manager (Construction & Quantity Surveying)

Role Overview

Cost Manager (Construction & Quantity Surveying) at Drees & Sommer SE in Dubai. This position combines cost planning, cost management and quantity surveying activities across multiple project phases on large-scale real estate and urban development projects.

Company Overview

Drees & Sommer SE is a global consulting and implementation firm with more than 6,500 employees at over 80 locations worldwide. The company delivers sustainable, innovative and economical solutions for real estate, industry, energy and infrastructure. Teams work interdisciplinarily to support customers with visionary and realistic thinking, combining independent work with team collaboration and the latest technologies.

Role Purpose

To drive cost management, planning and quantity surveying activities across demanding and complex urban development and infrastructure projects. The role combines technical expertise with commercial acumen to identify the most economically viable solutions, support investment decisions and deliver cost certainty throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Planning & Estimation

• Independently prepare investment cost estimates, cost plans and detailed cost calculations based on building type benchmarks, cost elements, trade cost indicators and unit rates across all project phases.
• Perform quantity take-offs and quantity analyses, including BIM-based and manual measurement extraction, as the foundation for reliable cost planning and forecasting.
• Establish and maintain project cost tracking, including budgets, commitments, expenditures, change orders and construction progress.

Cost Analysis & Validation

• Review, validate and challenge cost calculations, estimates and commercial submissions prepared by contractors, consultants and other project stakeholders.
• Develop model-based cost forecasts, cash flow projections and portfolio cost outlooks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead cost evaluations within change management, risk and opportunity assessments.

Reporting & Stakeholder Management

• Prepare financial analyses, reporting and management dashboards.
• Coordinate cost-related topics with clients, consultants, contractors and internal project teams.
• Support investment decisions through commercial analysis and decision papers.

Value Engineering & Optimization

• Drive value engineering and cost optimisation initiatives in close collaboration with the project management team and technical experts.
• Develop alternative solutions to identify the best balance of cost, quality, functionality, schedule and overall project objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Architecture, Construction Management or a comparable qualification.
• Initial to several years of professional experience in cost calculation, cost management, project controls or commercial project management within the construction or real estate industry.
• Good understanding of construction cost planning, cost controlling, forecasting and reporting with exposure to local construction cost structures and market practices.

Skills & Competencies

• Confident use of Excel and cost management, project controls or commercial management software.
• Hands-on, flexible and proactive mindset with the willingness to contribute across a broad range of commercial and project-related topics beyond purely cost management activities.
• Very good English skills.
• Structured, reliable and collaborative way of working.

Additional Information

• UAE driving licence required.
• Willingness to travel within the UAE and internationally.
• Benefiting from global expertise and insights into managing international real estate developments.
• Professional and personal development promoted through individual training and further education at the Drees & Sommer Academy.
• Premium level of health insurance provided.
• Work environment that enthusiastically embraces and supports innovative ideas and sustainable practices.
• Attractive annual leave allowance offered beyond the standard.
• Culture of flat hierarchies fostering open communication, teamwork and a shared commitment to achieving goals together.