Open to opportunities

Sanaa Hussain

@sanaahussain

Message

Cost management and project controls director building savings, systems, and teams for owner-led delivery.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m eager to transition into a Director-level role with an Owner/Owner’s Rep on the West Coast, leading people and building/leading a cost management department for site development, new build, expansion, and renovation.

I’ve built a two-decade career as a consultant and Owner Representative, crafting, assessing, and overseeing construction project controls for recognizable global corporations. I’m known for translating process understanding “from inception to conclusion” into practical systems that keep deliverables on course.

Across my work, I develop and implement best practices to drive down operational, material, and labor costs while aligning projects to budgetary constraints. I’m also strong in cost-estimation methodologies and in resolving bottlenecks quickly, with clear attention to risk, value engineering, and change control.

Most recently, I oversaw cost management for twelve concurrent projects valued at approximately $1.3B across three states, while managing two junior staff. I helped consistently achieve cost savings ranging from 10% to 15%, supporting clients in adding additional scope through owner contingency at close-out, and I led office operations and business development with a $2M annual revenue goal.

Previously at WeWork, I managed all project costs and teams West of the Mississippi, led training for cost management professionals, and built a centralized cost budgeting database with a formal forecasting process. Earlier, I managed a GMP-focused bio-pharmaceutical program of 120 projects ($1.2B) and delivered a $100M office/lab facility, negotiating change orders and GMP/GMP-related contracts and producing weekly through quarterly cash-flow, forecast, and cost-accrual reporting.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Associate - Cost Management

Rider Levett Bucknall

Dec 2019 - Oct 2025 (5 years 10 months)

Oversaw cost management, contract review, cost estimating, scheduling, and funding management for twelve concurrent projects valued at about $1.3B across three states, while managing two junior staff. Drove cost savings of 10%–15% and led San Jose office operations/business development, including a $2M annual revenue goal, plus committee participation aligned to ISO 14001 and sustainability initia

Senior Cost Manager

WeWork

Dec 2018 - Dec 2019 (1 year)

Managed project costs, managers, and teams West of the Mississippi, and served as a subject matter expert in cost management. Led training and built/maintained a centralized cost budgeting database with formal forecasting, including GMP RFP bid solicitation, negotiations, and awards, and reviewed estimated vs. actual costs to improve estimating processes.

Cost Management Cost Estimation Budgeting Forecasting Training And Enablement Cost Databases GMP RFP Process Bid Leveling Negotiation Cost Estimating Process Improvement

Cost Manager

Faithful and Gould

Apr 2014 - Dec 2018 (4 years 8 months)

Managed a bio-pharmaceutical facilities program following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) across 120 projects valued at $1.2B, including delivery of a new 61KSF office/lab facility with a $100M value. Reviewed construction budgets, estimates, and schedules; negotiated change orders and Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contracts; maintained a cost savings log; and produced weekly/monthly/quarterly

Cost Management Cost Engineering GMP Construction Cost Estimating Scheduling Change Orders GMP Contracts Vendor Contract Management Cash Flow Forecasting Status Reporting Contract Negotiation

Project Controls Engineer

Currie and Brown

Jan 2012 - Apr 2014 (2 years 3 months)

Applied industry-recognized cost control practices and integrated systems to manage cost estimating and scheduling for multiple capital projects for a high-tech chip manufacturer. Supported project cost controls through ongoing estimating and scheduling management.

Project Control Cost Estimation Scheduling Cost Control Capital Project Management