Cost Engineer

KEO is a creative enterprise, where innovation is a way of life. We are uniquely resourced with end-to-end services to take clients from inspiration – through conceptualization – to realization of planning, design or project delivery in the built and natural environments. For over 60 years we've led with vision, contributing to many of the world's most ambitious projects, iconic places, remarkable experiences and prosperous communities.

As a highly integrated and agile AEP/PMCM firm, KEO is recognized by ENR as one of the Top 225 International Design Firms and one of the Top 20 International PM/CM Firms. We are also ranked by World Architecture as the 57th largest global architecture firm and the #1 Firm in the Middle East Region in their 2023 WA100 Survey.

We invite you to join us. Why?

When you join KEO, you'll discover more than just a job – you'll find a supportive environment that fosters your professional development through internal global mobility and career development and does so within a culture that supports company-wide health and well-being through on-demand counselling services and regular workplace clinics. You will be invited to celebrate community events such as sports days, fun-runs, in-house sports teams and beach clean ups. In addition to your competitive package and benefits you will have access to a suite of policies that include hybrid working arrangements, individual athletic sponsorship, study assistance sponsorship, employee referral rewards, mentoring and coaching programs and extensive in-house on demand learning courses.

Our newest opportunity is for a talented Cost Engineer to join our team based in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

We envisage success in this role to include;

• Provides comments and recommendations for cost engineering requirements relative to staffing and project control. Prepares detailed staffing plans for cost engineering activities. Reviews design scope criteria and quantities for completeness and reasonableness, and coordinates with the project to develop additional estimating bases when information is incomplete. Establishes the conceptual scope of studies when definition is not available.
• Reviews or assists in reviewing proposal provisions related to cost engineering and material control and develops supporting data for contract negotiations.
• Interfaces with management and client for specific cost presentations.
• Supervises the collection, verification, and integration of work scope for all entities into a total project plan. Supervises the timely preparation of cost estimates. Prepares and analyses comparisons of scope, quantities, and cost data between the projects.
• Performs productivity analysis of Construction operations and verifies results.
• Coordinates the pricing structure or criteria that will be used to meet the objectives of the cost estimate. Establishes format and content of summaries and reconciliations, including segregation of cost according to level of confidence and identification of areas of risk.
• Prepares or reviews distributable and/or contractor's indirect cost estimates. Prepares and analyses comparisons of scope, quantities, and cost data between projects. Develops bid evaluation cost and schedule criteria and prepares bid evaluations. May participate in discussions with vendors.
• Defines project needs for cost control in accordance with established KEO and client contractual requirements, objectives, and procedures. Supervises the timely performance of cost control activities. Reviews and critiques designs and specifications for cost effectiveness and suggests alternatives when appropriate.
• Supervises cost recording, monitoring, and reporting practices for compliance with applicable standards. Supervises and is responsible for the development and accuracy of cost engineering reports. Responsible for issuing reports required by KEO management and project procedures.
• Supervises investigating requirements for cost control data for a specific discipline or other specialty applications. Identifies needs for cost analysis support for the project and recommends development or modification of cost engineering data standards. Supervises performance of cost analysis activities within the project.
• Assists in developing unit job hours and pricing data for a specific discipline or other specialty. Performs data analysis, identifies problems, and makes recommendations.
• Maintains communication with the contractor and client's site representatives on all project related issues.
• Ensures the terms of the contract are followed and manages supplemental agreements.
• Implements cost controls and financial control procedures as outlined in the construction contracts.
• Assesses and reports upon client's variations to the construction works and claims for changes from the contractors.
• Identifies performance issues that need to be brought to the attention of the commercial manager.
• Administers contractual procedures to ensure compliance by relevant parties.
• Reviews, negotiates and draws up settlements of client's variations and contractor's claims for changes.
• Measurement of site works from drawings and from site, including AutoCAD measurement techniques.
• Prepares progress valuations in respect of interim monthly and final payments to contractors.
• Assesses, measures, advises and recommends on cost impact of design changes.
• Assists in the reviews, assessments and reports upon contractor's claims including review of time extensions, delays and penalties.
• Prepares Change/Variation Orders and reports upon cost impacts of such orders on the construction budget.
• Prepares draft contractual correspondence and certificates for issue to the client and contractor.
• Prepares project cost and cash flow reports.
• Participates in cost and contractual review meetings.
• Provides input to consolidated Monthly Report submitted to the client.
• Provides general commercial/contractual support to the project teams.
• Draft estimates / cost plans for review and finalization with senior management.
• Preparation of BOQ including drafting Preambles / General Requirements.
• Undertake market review / research for compiling and updating unit rates for estimating.
• Check the materials on and off site and verified delivery and acceptance from the client's representative for payment approval.
• On-site verification of Final Accounts submitted by the Contractors and selected Sub Contractors and Suppliers, adjusting as necessary and providing recommendations to the Client.
• Carry out cost estimates for alternative design solutions.

To be successful in this dynamic opportunity, we envision that your career journey to date will include 8 years work experience partnered with a Bachelor degree.

Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Experience in performing, monitoring, and reviewing cost engineering functions, which include cost estimating, cost control, and cost analysis. Intermediate level of knowledge of engineering, procurement, contracts, construction, and start-up work processes. Basic knowledge of engineering and construction management.

Requires advanced knowledge of financial terms and principles. Ability to calculate intermediate figures. Conducts advanced financial analysis.

Intermediate to advanced skills with Microsoft Office Suite including MS Project.

KEO's performance is founded upon integrity, results, innovation, safety and our people. We embrace diversity and recognise its' contribution to client success wherever we work.

We are excited to hear how you can partner with our award-winning team and treat all expressions of interest confidentially.