Head of Cost Management

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way.  

Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong.  Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. Our mission is to be the preeminent construction cost consultancy globally combining data, insights, and deep local expertise.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Lead our cost advisory and cost management services in ANZ.  This strategic role combines client relationship development, team leadership, and innovative service delivery.

You will establish our footprint across ANZ by delivering best-in-class cost management solutions while balancing global standards with necessary local adaptations. Working directly with the Head of Cost Advisory (APAC), you will integrate local strategies within our broader global strategy.

This position requires leadership skills and deep understanding of ANZ unique construction landscape to drive growth in this key market, independently as well as with JLL’s business development network.

Your direct report will be ANZ Managing Director (PDS) Mr Alan McKay, who you will work with to meet the agreed PDS annual budget.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Strategy

• Together with the Head of Cost Advisory (APAC) and Managing Director (ANZ), establish and execute the national strategy for cost advisory services in ANZ, aligned with APAC objectives.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and technical direction to the ANZ based cost management team.
• Develop and reinforce JLL’s positioning in the market as a trusted Cost Management leader.

Client & Business Development

• Lead client engagement efforts, ensuring strong and enduring relationships with developers, investors, corporates, and public sectors.
• Drive business growth – secure new business, cross-sell services leveraging JLL’s extensive network, and support major bids and pursuits (including proposals, fee calculation and presentations)
• Represent JLL in key industry forums, strategic partner meetings, and client presentations.

Project Delivery & Technical Oversight

• Establish a new advisory capability across ANZ, aligned to APAC standards and long-term plan.
• Oversee all Cost Management deliverables from feasibility through to final account, including procurement support, value engineering, risk management and data collection.
• Assure high-quality output and compliance with JLL’s global best practices and regional standards.
• Responsible for team’s quality project delivery ensuring the Client’s requirements are met, within specified timelines and budget.
• Resource planning to ensure the efficient utilization of staff.
• Utilise offshore cost management services to maximise productivity & profitability.
• Provide guidance on local market conditions, escalation trends, and benchmarking data to inform client decisions.

Team Management & Talent Development

• Build, retain, and develop a high-performing team of cost consultants capable of executing services across ANZ.
• Leveraging JLL’s career development platform and resources, champion training, professional development, and career progression aligned with JLL/RICS career pathways.
• Drive staff suggestions and feedback on current practices for continuous improvement.
• Ensure staff are appropriately trained and mentored.
• Foster a collaborative, enjoyable and inclusive team environment.

Financial Management 

• Support the Head of Business and Finance with advising agreed revenue and invoice schedule for onward reporting.
• Lead formalization of professional services agreement with client where needed.
• Lead resource management, recruitment and work scope deployment.
• Work with the team to track the key performance indicators to ensure quality of services.
• Lead growth across the ANZ business over time.

Market Intelligence & Innovation

• Monitor industry trends, construction cost inflation, supply chain risks, and economic indicators.
• Adopt digital platforms forming part of JLL’s significant roadmap elevating necessary digital tools and data analytics to enhance efficiency, quality of services and data for best client outcomes.
• Support JLL’s research team with local market intel, best practices and thought leadership marketing efforts.
• Conducts trend analysis of the construction cost market and performs cost benchmarking analysis to provide various data for regular report publications.

Marketing

• Together with the overarching marketing strategy, support efforts for steering the local context.
• Review currently marketing, submission & presentation toolkit and recommend key localised amendments.

Digital Leadership

• JLL use a range of technology platforms to deliver its projects. A willingness and aptitude to work in and leverage the available technologies will be expected.
• Review and suggest improvements for the existing digital platforms for JLL’s onward planning.
• Integrating cost management platform with available and developing AI capability.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

Market Segment Target

• Data Centres: how to scale? Recruit network? Technical expertise
• Education: Government programme
• I&L: Manufacturing, Automated facilities, Labs 
• AEI: Asset enhancement investment, business case development
• Tax & insurance: internal JLL Valuations support
• OneJLL: Namely, Valuations, Capital Markets, Leasing, Asset Management

Essential

• Proven leadership track record, in cost management.
• Extensive experience in the ANZ construction market, with strong networks among developers, contractors, and consultants.
• Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying or similar.
• Chartered status (e.g., MRICS) highly preferred.
• Strong communicator.
• Highly collaborative, proactive and with a focus to problem solving.

Preferred

• Experience across multiple asset classes (e.g. data centres, corporate real estate, industrial/logistics, life sciences, hospitality).
• Familiarity with different forms of contract and procurement in their local markets.
• Exposure to regional projects and/or experience working in a global organization.

Location:

On-site –Melbourne, VIC

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements.  We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!

At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you're pursuing.

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Jones Lang LaSalle (“JLL”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.  If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process –  you may email us at [email protected]. This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for JLL.