JLL supports the Whole You, personally and professionally.

Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology to our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people in our industry; and we support them through professional growth, flexibility, and personalized benefits to manage life in and outside of work. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades, and technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, we empower you to shape a brighter way forward so you can thrive professionally and personally.

Cost Manager, Project & Development Services (PDS)

We are JLL
We are a professional services and investment management firm specializing in real estate. We help organizations around the world achieve their ambitions by owning, occupying and investing in real estate.
If you are looking to step up your career, JLL is the perfect professional home. At JLL, you will have a chance to innovate with the world’s leading businesses, put that expertise into action on landmark projects, and work on game-changing real estate initiatives. You will also make long-lasting professional connections through sharing different perspectives, and you will be inspired by the best. We are focused on opportunity and want to help you make the most of yours. Achieve your ambitions – join us at JLL!

Role Purpose
The Cost Manager is responsible for capex, cost control and financial management across a diverse portfolio of projects within Project & Development Services, including office fit-out, hospitality and retail. The role ensures projects are delivered within approved budgets, collaborating with project teams, finance teams and stakeholders to develop accurate cost estimates, track project expenses, conduct financial analysis and recommend ways to optimize project costs.

What this job involves / Key Responsibilities

Cost Estimation and Budgeting
Collaborate with project teams and stakeholders to establish project budgets.
Regularly review and update budgets based on actual costs and forecasts.
Develop accurate, detailed cost estimates during the planning phase, managing the following processes: Prepare capex cost estimates for spend approval during scope definition, following best practice to ensure a high-quality estimate. Measure quantities and scope from design information; produce the Bill of Quantities (BoQ) and review and audit BoQs or other pricing documents prepared by others. Identify lower-cost scope alternatives and value engineering proposals so that final solutions stay within approved budgets. Review risk assessments, design and technical due diligence provided by others. Carry out market cost benchmarking and analysis across sectors and locations. Collaborate with project and program managers, engineers, architects, designers, clients, stakeholders and contractors on estimates.

Cost Control and Monitoring
Monitor project expenses and ensure alignment with approved budgets.




Identify cost-saving opportunities and propose measures to optimize spending.
Implement effective cost management processes and controls.

Financial Analysis and Reporting
Analyse project costs, variances and trends to provide insights and recommendations.
Prepare financial reports and presentations for clients and project stakeholders.
Conduct financial risk assessments and provide mitigation strategies.

Sourcing and Tendering
Support the procurement team in commercial bid review and tender clarification.
Provide a construction cost normalization and comparison tender recommendation report (TRR).
Lead commercial clarifications with bidders at resource, preliminaries and construction package levels.
Prepare recommendations for the client’s approval.

Vendor and Contract Management
Collaborate with procurement and contract management teams to negotiate favourable contracts and pricing.
Evaluate vendor invoices and ensure accuracy and compliance with contract terms.
Identify cost reduction opportunities in vendor contracts.

Stakeholder Collaboration
Work closely with project managers and teams to integrate cost considerations into project planning and decision-making.
Collaborate with finance teams to align project budgets and financial forecasts.

Continuous Improvement
Stay up to date with industry best practices and emerging trends in project cost management.
Identify and implement process improvements that drive efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Develop and maintain cost planning guidelines and templates for a consistent approach to capex estimating.
Standardize methodologies and outputs in line with industry best practice, simplifying estimates to reflect the cost categories clients typically track.
Collect and analyse benchmarking data to support strategic decisions based on costs and benefits.

Every day is different, and in all these activities we encourage you to show your ingenuity.

Sound like you? To apply you need to be:
Experience
Essential: Bachelor’s degree in quantity surveying, building engineering, civil, architecture, MEP engineering or a related discipline.
Essential: Minimum of 3 years’ experience with a consultant or general contractor in a similar role, preferably in a multi-cultural environment.
Essential: Proven experience in cost management across more than one of the following sectors: office fit-out, hospitality (hotels) and retail.
Essential: Excellent knowledge of the construction supply chain.
Advantageous: Experience with data centre projects.
Advantageous: Experience with FIDIC contract frameworks (Red, Yellow or Silver Book) or other standard forms of contract.

Skills




Excellent written English to describe project background and cost impact, identify main risks, explain benchmark costs and deviations, and set out the basis of costs, assumptions and exclusions.
Ability to provide support, tools and procedures to JLL’s Project Managers on cost proposals and benchmarking.
Strong analytical ability, attention to detail, and facilitation and presentation skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Ability to manage multiple or conflicting priorities in a high-pressure environment.
Able to work independently and as part of a team, including with remote teams and stakeholders.
Excellent numerical, commercial and financial acumen.
All additional duties commensurate with the level of the role.

What you can expect from us
You will join an entrepreneurial, inclusive culture, one where we succeed together, across the desk and around the globe. Where like-minded people work naturally together to achieve great things.
Our Total Rewards program reflects our commitment to helping you achieve your ambitions in career, recognition, wellbeing, benefits and pay. We will offer you a competitive salary and benefits package.
Join us to develop your strengths and enjoy a fulfilling career full of varied experiences. Keep those ambitions in sight and imagine where JLL can take you.
Apply today!
If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements below. We’re 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.

About JLL –

We’re JLL—a leading professional services and investment management firm specializing in real estate. We have operations in over 80 countries and a workforce of over 102,000 individuals around the world who help real estate owners, occupiers and investors achieve their business ambitions. As a integral Fortune 500 company, we also have an inherent responsibility to drive sustainability and corporate social responsibility. That’s why we’re committed to our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world. We’re using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people, and our communities.

Our core values of teamwork, ethics and excellence are also fundamental to everything we do and we’re honored to be recognized with awards for our success by organizations both globally and locally.

Creating a diverse and inclusive culture where we all feel welcomed, valued and empowered to achieve our full potential is important to who we are today and where we’re headed in the future. And we know that unique backgrounds, experiences and perspectives help us think bigger, spark innovation and succeed together.

📌 Cost Manager PDS Projects (Madrid)
🏢 JLL
📍 Madrid