Project Cost Manager Jobs in California
Project Cost Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in construction, infrastructure, defense, and technology development across Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. Large-scale employers such as Bechtel, Turner Construction, and AECOM maintain substantial California operations and consistently hire project cost managers at levels from associate to senior program lead. The most in-demand specialties are construction cost control, earned value management, and capital program forecasting. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find Project Cost Manager JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 8+ Project Cost Manager jobs








We are a diverse international organisation that values the different experiences and perspectives individuals bring. A business where everyone is treated with dignity, empathy and respect.
Job Title
Project Cost Accountant Manager
Location
Los Angeles
Reporting to
Louie Resurreccion
Company Background
Cain is an investment-management firm that shapes the value of places, brands and businesses through strategies spanning landmark developments, residential and hospitality, supply-chain infrastructure, and sports & entertainment.
Established by Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Goldstein in partnership with Eldridge Industries, the firm manages approximately $14.6 billion in assets under management. It operates from offices in London, New York, Miami, Los Angeles and Luxembourg, supported by a broad network of global partners. For more information please visit www.cainint.com.
Purpose of the role
One Beverly Hills is a $10B, 17.5-acre mixed-use development in Century City spanning two Aman-branded residential towers, a luxury hotel, a private members club, retail and dining, and the renovation of the Beverly Hilton, delivered through a multi-GC structure (Turner, Suffolk, Layton, PCL). As Project Cost Accountant, this role is the financial backbone of the program — auditing contract structures, managing buyout reconciliations, administering change orders, and ensuring field-level cost activity is accurately reflected in accounting systems. Working closely with Project Managers and Project Executives, the role keeps the project on budget, strengthens forecasting accuracy, and proactively mitigates financial risk across a phased, multi-contractor program of exceptional scale and complexity.
Responsibilities
Project Cost Auditing & Analysis:
- Lead forecasting, budget, and variance analysis for lender and executive reporting.
- Audit GMP, Lump Sum, and Cost-Plus contracts across multiple GCs and trade packages to flag scope gaps, pricing variances, and exposure.
- Own the buyout process end to end — tracking awarded scopes vs. budget, quantifying savings/overruns, and reporting status to leadership.
- Administer change order workflow from submission through approval and budget incorporation.
- Track contingency usage and drawdown trends; prepare cost-to-complete forecasts and budget-vs-actual analyses by phase.
System Integration & Data Integrity:
- Maintain real-time data integration across Procore, Textura, and MRI, ensuring consistency and audit-readiness across all cost records.
- Own accuracy of all project cost data (contracts, POs, change orders, payment applications) and resolve discrepancies with the corporate GL.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
- Partner with Project Managers/Executives on cost forecasts, financial risk, and mitigation strategies.
- Represent finance at site meetings, bid reviews, and owner/lender reporting meetings.
- Liaise with consultants, lenders, and compliance advisors to satisfy JPMorgan senior loan and VICI mezzanine financing reporting requirements.
- Support Estimating on phase closeouts (cost histories, buyout reconciliations, benchmarking) and help build a scalable project finance function.
Skills & Experience
Required:
- Minimum 5–7 years in project cost accounting/cost management on large-scale vertical construction or mixed-use development.
- Ability to audit GMP, Lump Sum, and Cost-Plus contracts, including buyout, change order, and contingency management.
- Hands-on with Procore cost modules, Textura, and a construction ERP (MRI, Sage, CMiC, or NetSuite).
- Working knowledge of construction loan administration, lender draw requests, and financing compliance.
- Advanced Excel (cost modelling, pivot tables, variance analysis) and strong communication skills with PMs, executives, and external stakeholders.
Preferred:
- Experience in a multi-GC program delivery environment with overlapping contractor scopes.
- Working knowledge of WIP accounting and percentage-of-completion revenue recognition.
- Prior experience on a luxury residential, hospitality, or mixed-use project valued over $500M.
- Background supporting structured/institutional construction financing reporting (mezzanine loan or equity partnership compliance).
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Accounting, Finance, or a closely related discipline.
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, citizenship, real or perceived disability or handicap, genetic predisposition, veteran status, and/or any other protected category in accordance with applicable federal, state or local laws.
To apply for this role, please email your CV and any relevant supporting documents to careers@cainint.com.
See All 8 Project Cost Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Cost Manager JobsProject Cost Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Project Cost Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Construction & Real Estate
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in project cost manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or a related technical field
- Certified Cost Professional (CCP) or Project Management Professional (PMP) credential preferred
- Three or more years of cost control or cost estimating experience on capital projects
- Proficiency with cost management software such as Primavera P6, SAP, or Oracle
- Experience preparing and analyzing cost reports, forecasts, and variance documentation
- Strong knowledge of earned value management principles and change management processes
Project Cost Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a project cost manager in California?
Most project cost managers in California enter through a bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, quantity surveying, or a related field. California does not require a state-issued license specific to cost management, but employers strongly favor candidates who hold the Certified Cost Professional (CCP) credential from AACE International or the Project Management Professional (PMP). Building experience on publicly funded infrastructure or private development projects across the state accelerates advancement.
How much do project cost managers make in California?
Project cost managers in California earn a median of about $120,910 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $69,180 for the lowest 10% to over $188,560 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire project cost managers in California?
California project cost manager roles are posted by Turner & Townsend Pty Limited, STV, and AECOM and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's concentration of large public infrastructure programs, defense contractors, and commercial development firms means hiring is spread across both established engineering firms and major owner organizations managing their own capital programs.
Which California cities have the most project cost manager jobs?
Los Angeles, San Diego, and Long Beach account for the largest share of project cost manager openings in California. Los Angeles anchors demand through large-scale commercial construction and public transit expansion, San Francisco draws roles tied to technology campus development and municipal infrastructure, and San Diego's defense and life sciences sectors support a consistent base of cost management hiring throughout the region.
Are there remote project cost manager jobs in California?
Yes, but they are limited. About 25% of project cost manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the fact that much of the work requires on-site presence for field verification, contractor coordination, and progress reviews. The portions of the role most commonly performed remotely are financial reporting, cost forecasting, and document control work that does not depend on daily site access.
How can I get hired as a project cost manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a cost engineer or project controls analyst role, which large California firms such as Bechtel, AECOM, and Jacobs recruit directly from construction management and engineering programs at California State University and UC campuses. Pursuing the AACE International Planning and Scheduling Professional or Earned Value Professional certificate while working in an adjacent role such as project coordinator, estimator, or scheduler strengthens a candidacy significantly before making the move into a dedicated cost management position.
Where can I find and apply to project cost manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to project cost manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, preferred region, and sector, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 8 Project Cost Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Cost Manager Jobs