Lead Cost Manager Branded Hotel Project

We are looking for an experienced Lead Cost Manager to join the delivery team for an iconic branded hotel development on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. In this client-facing role, you will lead all post-contract commercial activities, maintaining cost control throughout construction while providing trusted commercial advice to the client and wider project team. You will oversee cost reporting, variations, valuations, and commercial risk, ensuring the project is delivered on budget and to the highest standards. The ideal candidate will bring strong post-contract experience, excellent stakeholder management skills, and a collaborative approach to delivering a landmark hospitality project. Duties & Responsibilities: • Act as Omnium s principal point of contact for all post-contract cost and commercial matters across both projects, ensuring a consistent, high-quality service is delivered. • Build, manage, and sustain strong relationships with clients, consultants, and project stakeholders providing clear communication, timely advice, and a confident, solutions-oriented approach at all times. • Lead all post-contract cost management activities, including cost reporting, budget tracking, cash flow management, and financial forecasting for both developments. • Conduct detailed cost analyses, evaluate variations and claims, and provide commercially robust recommendations that protect the client s and Omnium s interests. • Coordinate, manage, and mentor a team of project surveyors, ensuring high-quality outputs, effective resource planning, and consistent delivery across both projects. • Facilitate regular client and project meetings, ensuring complex information is communicated clearly and that all commercial issues are proactively identified and resolved. • Continually assess and enhance the accuracy of project forecasts, budgets, and reporting mechanisms. • Ensure that all cost management activities are compliant with industry best practices, contractual requirements, and relevant regulations. • Identify and support business development opportunities by maintaining strong client confidence and identifying potential future work streams. • Prepare, review, and manage contractual correspondence, variations, valuations, and claims, ensuring timely submission and alignment with contractual obligations. • Minimum of 10 years post-graduate experience as a Quantity Surveyor/ Cost Manager and ideally a minimum of 3 years in the UAE. • Should have extensive experience working with blue-chip UAE developers such as EMAAR, Dubai Holdings, ALDAR, Modon, Miral etc. • Must have proven experience in client-facing roles, with professional poise and confidence to present and build strong relationships with clients, consultants, and other key stakeholders. • Must have experience delivering large-scale, complex luxury hotel and resort developments. Additional experience across residential, mixed-use, retail, or infrastructure projects would be advantageous. • Strong knowledge of CostX or another prominent measurement software. • Demonstrable understanding of the UAE supply chain and extensive knowledge of regional material suppliers. • Must have high-level analytical skills, with the ability to interpret and evaluate cost data effectively. • Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills. • Negotiation and teamwork skills. • The ability to write clear and precise reports and to relate complex information in a simple way. • The ability to motivate and lead detailed knowledge of past and current building and construction technology, processes, materials, business, and legal matters. Qualifications & Training: • University degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering or another RICS accredited course. • Membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS).