Project Cost Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Senior Quantity Surveyor / Senior Cost Manager

Job Description

A leading project and cost management consultancy is seeking an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor / Senior Cost Manager to support large-scale capital projects for a major client in the life sciences sector. This role will lead cost management efforts throughout the project lifecycle while partnering with clients, contractors, and project stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Review project documents and develop detailed cost estimates.
• Lead cost management and commercial oversight for assigned projects.
• Evaluate change orders, cost impacts, and subcontractor pricing.
• Manage contract administration and support contract negotiations.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Prepare project cost plans, budgets, reports, and forecasts, providing commercial and pricing expertise throughout design and construction.
• Support business development efforts and maintain existing client relationships.
• Mentor junior cost management professionals.
• Deliver regular project reporting to leadership and stakeholders.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of experience in Quantity Surveying, Cost Management, or Construction Cost Consulting.
• Experience supporting complex construction projects within regulated or technical environments.
• Strong understanding of cost estimating and forecasting, contract administration, change management, construction delivery methods, and commercial management.
• Ability to communicate effectively with owners, contractors, and project teams.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and multitasking skills.
• Experience reviewing contracts and managing project financial performance.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Professional certifications such as MRICS, AssocRICS, CCP, CEP, CPE, or similar.
• Knowledge of construction contracts, procurement processes, and project delivery methods.
• Experience with value engineering, lifecycle costing, and project cost modeling.
• Background in client-facing consulting or owner's representative environments.
• Intermediate knowledge of Windows, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook.
• Advanced skill level with Excel.
• Knowledge of On Screen Takeoff estimating software is a plus.

Work Environment

The position is on-site at the end client's location. The role offers a salaried position with 40-hour work weeks, promoting work-life balance. Benefits include 80 hours of PTO, 8 paid holidays, 401k, medical, dental, and vision coverage, access to Udemy ongoing education platform after 6 months, Abenity discount program, and a 360-degree review program.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Vacaville, CA.

The pay range for this position is $48.07 - $76.92/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Vacaville,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.