Senior Cost Engineer

What we do:

Primecore is a consultancy company formed in 2008 to support Bio-Pharmaceutical and Gene Therapy companies when designing and delivering the right operations strategy to enable the full potential of their product portfolio.

At the company’s core is a commitment to ‘best practice’ when evaluating strategic investments, planning ‘fit for purpose’ solutions and delivering outcomes in line with approved timelines and resources. We work across the globe, supporting companies which range from recent start-ups, to the largest companies in the industry.

Our Mission:

Primecore’s mission is to provide the pharmaceutical industry with the capability to develop, deploy and deliver significant operational change in line with their product strategy. Primecore brings strategic leaders with a track record of high performance within pharmaceutical companies. We manage transformational change by applying portfolio, program and project management best practice, leveraging the industry’s best technical expertise.

The Primecore Difference:

Primecore differs from other established Consultancy firms in that we employ people who can not only make sound business-led recommendations but can provide the leadership to deliver the complex business critical programs needed for success. Exclusively employing personnel with proven client-based Bio-Pharmaceuticals experience allows us to form solid respect and trust-based partnerships with our clients. The combination of significant ‘real world’ Bio-Pharma experience with a commitment to ‘best practice’ when leading strategic change programs results in the best possible business outcomes.

Purpose of Role

To provide cost and commercial leadership for a $1.5B pharmaceutical capital project, ensuring cost integrity, value for money, and transparency across all phases of construction. Operating as a client-side representative, this position will oversee and validate construction estimates, progress measurement, and contractor payments while ensuring full alignment between engineering, procurement, and construction management teams.

This role covers the period from the project execution phase through to the handover of the facility and its associated equipment to Commissioning start up. This role is a full-time position and requires remote working within North America (two-hour flight of Boston or Philadelphia) and reports to the Program Lead.

Key Accountabilities

Accountable for validating, managing, and controlling all construction-related costs to ensure adherence to approved budgets and financial targets.

Ensure the accuracy and compliance of CM-generated estimates, progress claims, and payment certificates in line with contractual and client requirements.

Serve as the primary client cost representative, maintaining effective collaboration and communication with the Construction Management (CM) counterpart and internal stakeholders.

Support project leadership in identifying cost risks and opportunities, developing mitigation plans, and ensuring that financial decisions are data-driven and auditable.

Responsibilities

• Review, evaluate, and approve CM-generated cost estimates, change orders, and progress claims to ensure validity and accuracy.
• Review and approve certificates for contractor payment, verifying that progress achieved aligns with measured work in the field and contractual terms.
• Prepare and maintain in-house client cost estimates, forecasts, and cash flow projections based on project progress and evolving scope.
• Ensure all earned value and progress reporting accurately reflects the physical completion status and complies with project controls standards.
• Collaborate with the Project Controls, Engineering, and Construction teams to maintain accurate and timely cost data, budgets, and forecasts.
• Support development and validation of change management processes, ensuring all cost impacts are captured, justified, and approved before implementation.
• Provide input to project risk registers, identifying cost exposures and supporting mitigation strategies.
• Ensure all cost and commercial documentation meets client governance and audit requirements.
• Support the project through mechanical completion and turnover, ensuring that financial close-out and reconciliation are accurate and fully documented.

Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, quantity surveying, engineering or similar.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience working on large industrial, chemical or pharmaceutical projects with significant exposure to projects exceeding $1 billion in value.
• Demonstrated experience in contract administration, procurement, and cost control on complex, multidisciplinary programs.
• In-depth knowledge of EPC, Design-Build, and FIDIC/NEC contract models.
• Advanced proficiency in cost management tools, Excel modelling, and project reporting systems.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and executive presentation skills.
• Professional accreditation (MRICS, AIQS, PQS, or equivalent) essential.
• Demonstrates strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team-oriented environment.