Program Controls Cost Manager

About the Program Controls Cost Manager Role at Google

As a Program Controls Cost Manager at Google, you will play a pivotal role in defining and maintaining the global policy framework for cost performance. This position is central to establishing standardized tools and data processes, ensuring consistent cost intelligence and financial guardrail compliance across all regions. You will own the global standard for project estimation, from land due diligence through construction, driving budgetary maturity by collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop accurate, evidence-based financial plans. A key part of your role will involve leading the cost tracking system to monitor actual spend against budgets, providing live, transparent forecasting and financial insights to enable executive leadership to make proactive, data-driven portfolio decisions. Additionally, you will govern the post-agreement change order process and oversee regional cost management vendors, ensuring valuation accuracy, strict adherence to standards, and consistent service delivery from external partners. Finally, you will lead value engineering and efficiency initiatives to promote cost consciousness, partnering with procurement and finance to embed cost discipline into program growth.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying or related technical or management field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5 years of experience in program or project management, leading multi-disciplinary projects.
• Experience in performing cost-benefit analysis and design for cost strategies to optimize project budgets.
• Experience managing build costs and conducting cost negotiations, within active construction sites.
• Experience in program management and contract management, with a focus on leading teams through change management processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or Master's degree in a finance, legal, technical or engineering field.
• Professional certifications (e.g., MRICS, PMP).
• Experience in construction management, business agreements, supplier development, and supply chain processes.
• Experience working with contractors and general contractors in an infrastructure environment.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the global policy framework for cost performance. Establish standardized tools and data processes to ensure consistent cost intelligence and financial guardrail compliance across all regions.
• Own the global standard for project estimation from land due diligence through construction. Drive budgetary maturity by collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop accurate, evidence-based financial plans.
• Lead the cost tracking system to monitor actual spend against budgets. Provide live, transparent forecasting and financial insights, enabling executive leadership to make proactive, data-driven portfolio decisions.
• Govern the post-agreement change order process and oversee regional cost management vendors. Ensure valuation accuracy, strict adherence to standards, and consistent service delivery from external partners.
• Lead value engineering and efficiency initiatives to promote cost consciousness. Partner with procurement and finance to embed cost discipline into program growth.

Key skills/competency

• Cost Management
• Program Management
• Financial Planning
• Budget Optimization
• Contract Negotiation
• Change Management
• Process Standardization
• Data Analysis
• Forecasting
• Stakeholder Communication