Cost Engineer / Quantity Surveyor

The Cost Engineer / Quantity Surveyor is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and controlling project budgets throughout all project phases, including design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover.

The role ensures accurate cost estimation, budget management, quantity verification, subcontractor payment certification, variation management, and cost reporting while supporting project profitability and commercial control. The position works closely with Project Management, Procurement, Contracts, Finance, Accounting, and Site Operations teams to ensure full visibility and control of project costs.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Estimation & Budget Management

• Prepare preliminary and detailed cost estimates for construction, engineering, procurement, subcontracting, and commissioning activities.
• Develop, structure, and maintain project budgets, including cost breakdowns by work packages, subcontractors, materials, equipment, and services.
• Monitor project expenditures against approved budgets and identify cost deviations.
• Prepare cost-to-complete forecasts and final cost projections.
• Support value engineering initiatives and cost optimization strategies.

Quantity Surveying & BOQ Management

• Prepare, review, and validate Bills of Quantities (BOQs) based on approved design drawings and project specifications.
• Verify quantities and ensure alignment between design documentation and actual site conditions.
• Update BOQs following design revisions, approved variations, or scope changes.
• Perform quantity take-offs from construction drawings and shop drawings.

Tendering & Commercial Evaluation

• Collect, analyze, and evaluate quotations from subcontractors and suppliers.
• Participate in tendering activities, subcontractor evaluations, and commercial negotiations.
• Prepare technical and commercial comparison sheets for management review.
• Support subcontractor selection and award recommendations.
• Conduct market rate analysis and benchmarking to ensure commercial competitiveness.

Cost Control & Reporting

• Monitor project costs, commitments, expenditures, and forecasts throughout the project lifecycle.
• Track budget variances, analyze root causes, and recommend corrective actions.
• Prepare monthly cost reports, management reports, and financial summaries.
• Maintain cost control registers, tracking systems, and reporting tools.
• Provide regular cash flow forecasts and budget status reports.

Variations & Claims Management

• Maintain comprehensive records of Change Orders, Variation Orders, and claims.
• Evaluate the financial impact of variations on project budgets and profitability.
• Maintain variation registers and ensure all approved changes are properly recorded.
• Support the preparation, evaluation, and negotiation of variation claims.
• Coordinate with Contracts and Project Management teams regarding contractual implications of variations.

Subcontractor Payment Certification

• Verify subcontractor work progress and quantities executed on site.
• Review and certify Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs) and subcontractor invoices.
• Ensure payments are based on approved rates, actual progress, and contractual terms.
• Maintain records of payment certificates and subcontractor valuation reports.
• Coordinate payment processing with Project Management, Finance, and Accounting departments.

Contract Administration

• Support administration of subcontract agreements and commercial correspondence.
• Maintain contractual logs, commercial registers, variation registers, and payment records.
• Review contractual obligations and ensure compliance with contract requirements.
• Support contract close-out activities and final account settlements.

Coordination & Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate closely with Project Management, Procurement, Contracts, Finance, Accounting, and Site Operations teams.
• Liaise with Civil, Structural, Architectural, and MEP disciplines to validate quantity take-offs and commercial assessments.
• Ensure alignment between project budgets, procurement commitments, and financial records.
• Support management with commercial advice and cost-related decision-making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering (Mandatory), Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Construction Economics, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in Cost Engineering or Quantity Surveying within General Contracting, EPC, Industrial, Infrastructure, or Building Construction projects in the UAE.
• Strong experience in project cost estimation, budget control, quantity surveying, and subcontractor management.
• Proven experience in tendering, procurement support, and commercial evaluations.
• Experience with FIDIC contracts and UAE contracting practices is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (Advanced), AutoCAD, and cost management software.
• Strong understanding of UAE construction market rates, productivity norms, and cost control methodologies.
• Fluent in English.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Cost Estimation & Budget Management
• Quantity Surveying & BOQ Preparation
• Cost Control & Financial Reporting
• Tender Evaluation & Commercial Analysis
• Subcontractor Management
• Variations & Claims Management
• Contract Administration
• Cash Flow Forecasting
• Cost-to-Complete Analysis
• Advanced Excel & Data Analysis
• Commercial Negotiation Skills
• Financial & Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Time Management & Prioritization
• Team Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

Areas of Responsibility

• Project Budget Formation and Cost Monitoring
• Quantity Verification and BOQ Management
• Tendering and Commercial Evaluation
• Subcontractor Valuation and Payment Certification
• Variations, Claims, and Cost Impact Assessment
• Contract Administration and Commercial Documentation
• Cost Reporting and Financial Forecasting
• Coordination with Finance, Procurement, Contracts, and Site Teams
• Project Profitability Monitoring and Cost Optimization
• Support Management Decision-Making Through Commercial Analysis

Key Success Measures

• Accuracy of Cost Estimates and Budget Forecasts
• Effective Cost Control and Budget Compliance
• Timely Certification of Subcontractor Payments
• Proper Management of Variations and Claims
• Accuracy of Quantity Take-Offs and BOQs
• Timely Submission of Cost Reports and Forecasts
• Reduction of Cost Overruns and Commercial Risks
• Improved Project Profitability and Financial Visibility