MEP Cost Manager

About JLL

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way. Our people 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 talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers, and find a place where they belong. Whether you have deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades, or technology, or you are looking to apply your experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.

About the role

We are looking for an MEP cost manager to provide independent, rate-based MEP cost assurance for the client from tender through to final account, backed by strong systems knowledge and current UAE and GCC market insight.

Key responsibilities

Pre-contract

• Take off and structure MEP bills of quantities (BOQs) for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, firefighting, fire alarm and VESDA, and BMS and ELV systems against drawings and specifications.
• Build up and benchmark MEP rates from first principles, including labour, materials, plant, productivity, preliminaries, overheads, and profit.
• Obtain and validate supplier and subcontractor quotations against current UAE and GCC market pricing, lead times, and trends.
• Analyse tender returns for scope gaps, front-loading, unbalanced rates, and unrealistic productivity assumptions.
• Review vendor recommendation reports for technical compliance, price comparisons, and award rationale.
• Advise the MEP design team on the cost impact of design development and value engineering options.Post-contract
• Assess interim payment applications, including measured progress, stored materials, and contract invoicing requirements.
• Evaluate variations and claims for entitlement and quantum using validated rate build-ups.
• Manage provisional sums and procurement flows, tracking buy-out, drawdown, and savings.
• Prepare cost reports, forecasts, and cost-to-complete assessments for the client.

Requirements

• Degree in quantity surveying, construction management, or building services engineering; MRICS preferred.
• At least eight years of experience in MEP quantity surveying, including at least five years in the GCC, on large, complex projects such as venues, data centres, healthcare facilities, or airports.
• Proven ability to build, deconstruct, and defend MEP rates and productivity.
• Sound knowledge of major MEP systems, specialist equipment, drawings, and specifications.
• Current knowledge of the UAE and GCC MEP supply chain and pricing trends.
• Experience with measurement software such as CostX, and advanced Excel skills.
• Located in Abu Dhabi or willing to relocate there.

Location

On-site — Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all the requirements. We are 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 analyse your application for relevant skills, experience, and qualifications to generate insights into how your profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role.

Privacy and equal opportunity

Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services. We take our responsibility to protect the personal information provided to us seriously. Generally, we collect personal information to process your application as part of JLL’s recruitment process. We endeavour to keep your personal information secure with an appropriate level of security and retain it only as long as needed for legitimate business or legal reasons. We will then delete it safely and securely.

JLL is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.