Senior Cost Manager in Dublin

Our client is an independent commercial advisory consultancy with a focused and well-established presence in the Irish construction market. Operating as a boutique practice, they deliver a personalised, high-quality service to a select portfolio of developer and investor clients, with a particular strength in mixed-use, commercial and residential development across Dublin city centre and its inner suburbs.

The business has cultivated a strong reputation built on deep local market knowledge, long-standing client relationships and consistently dependable commercial advice. Unlike larger multi-disciplinary firms, they operate with a lean and highly capable team, where senior professionals are closely involved in all stages of project delivery and client engagement — offering a level of exposure and responsibility that is difficult to find elsewhere.

Despite their boutique structure, the practice operates at a high level across a wide range of project types and values, from complex inner-city residential schemes to purpose-built commercial developments. Their current pipeline is strong, and they are expanding their senior team to meet growing demand from an established client base. This is a business that invests in its people and takes genuine pride in the quality of its work. Career progression is based on merit, and senior hires are given real autonomy from the outset. For the right candidate, this is an opportunity to grow with a business that is going places.

You will be joining a small but highly experienced commercial team, working directly alongside directors and senior associates on a portfolio of live projects in and around Dublin city centre. The studio-style environment is collaborative, professional and fast-paced, with a culture that rewards initiative, commercial thinking and a high standard of client service.

Projects are predominantly inner-city in nature — commercial office fit-outs and new builds, high-density residential schemes, mixed-use developments and refurbishment works — and often come with the complexity, sensitivity and stakeholder pressure that characterise development in a live urban environment. Local knowledge and an understanding of the Dublin market are genuinely valued here.

As a Senior Cost Manager, you will take ownership of your own projects from inception through to final account, working closely with developers, architects, engineers and contractors throughout. You will be expected to manage client relationships independently and to bring commercial rigour and pragmatic problem-solving to every stage of the process.

For candidates coming from a contractor background, the practice is well positioned to support a successful transition into consultancy. The commercial fundamentals transfer well, and the team is experienced in onboarding professionals from contracting environments who are ready to apply their skills from the client advisory side.

Responsibilities:

• Manage all cost management functions across a portfolio of commercial and residential projects, from feasibility through to final account.
• Prepare and present detailed cost plans, budgets, estimates and cash flow forecasts at each stage of the project lifecycle.
• Administer contracts and manage the tender process including procurement strategy, document preparation and bid evaluation.
• Assess and agree variations, valuations and final accounts in a timely and commercially sound manner.
• Provide clear, accurate and timely cost reporting to clients and project teams, flagging risks and opportunities proactively.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with developer and investor clients, acting as a trusted commercial adviser throughout.
• Coordinate with design and project management teams to ensure commercial considerations are integrated at every stage.
• Support and guide junior cost management staff within the team as required.

What You Need:

• Demonstrable experience in a quantity surveying or cost management role, either in a consultancy or contractor environment — applications from those transitioning from contractor side are strongly encouraged.
• Strong knowledge of the Irish construction market, particularly commercial and residential development in the Dublin area — local experience is a key requirement for this role.
• Ability to manage projects independently from early-stage cost planning through to final account with limited oversight.
• Solid understanding of standard forms of contract used in the Irish market (RIAI, PWC, FIDIC or similar).
• Excellent communication skills and a client-facing manner, with the confidence to build and manage relationships at a senior level.
• Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying or a related discipline; working towards or holding a chartership (SCSI/RICS) is advantageous.
• Highly organised, commercially aware and capable of managing multiple projects and deadlines concurrently.

What You'll Get in Return:

This role offers a salary of up to €95,000, reflecting the seniority and quality of the position, alongside a competitive benefits package. You will gain hands-on involvement in some of Dublin's most interesting inner-city development projects, with a level of client exposure and project ownership that is rare in a larger practice. The business is growing steadily, and the right candidate will have a clear pathway into a more senior position within the team.