Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Construction Management

Turner & Townsend • Chicago, IL

3d

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to join its Chicago team and deliver cost management services on complex construction projects and programs. The team supports commercial real estate, corporate occupier, data center, mission-critical, and other public- and private-sector developments. The role manages relationships with internal and external stakeholders and supports effective cost management throughout the project lifecycle, contributing to successful project outcomes through cost control, commercial insight, and client partnership.

The role covers procurement and vendor selection, estimating, cost reporting and forecasting, cost control, invoicing, final accounting, post-contract audits, account closeouts, project handover procedures, and post-contract reviews. Work includes preparing and using bid analysis sheets, change control forms, cost estimating software, and take-off software. SOX control responsibilities may also apply where relevant. On-site presence and requirements may change depending on client needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a field related to construction.
• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience in a cost management role in the construction industry.
• Experience supporting cost management on medium- or large-sized construction projects.
• Good knowledge of construction-industry technical matters, including procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.
• Strong communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• RICS-accredited or working toward RICS accreditation.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on procurement strategies; manage vendor prequalification; assess proposals, bids, and bid-leveling documents; make final recommendations; attend and chair bid interviews; and manage the appointment process.
• Manage project estimating services, including developing estimates for construction, fees, direct work, and other costs; review junior team members’ estimates; present estimates to clients; provide value engineering recommendations and risk assessments; meet vendors to review, validate, and challenge costs; and use benchmark data to review estimates.
• Manage cost reporting by establishing reporting schedules, reviewing and presenting cost reports and forecasts, reviewing project budgets and spend forecasts with clients, maintaining commercial risk registers, and hosting periodic meetings with project teams and vendors.
• Manage cost control, including reviewing payment application assessments prepared by junior team members, liaising with project managers on contractor entitlements, reviewing vendor change-order requests and recommending action to clients, and using dispute prevention, management, and resolution procedures for payment requisitions, change orders, and contractual disputes.
• Manage and monitor the invoicing process.
• Benchmark performance against other successful commissions.
• Manage final accounting, post-contract audits, and account closeouts.
• Conduct post-contract client reviews, document lessons learned, and apply lessons to create a training manual.
• Develop procedures governing project handover.
• Use and prepare bid analysis sheets, change control forms, cost estimating software, and take-off software to perform role duties.
• Adhere to applicable SOX control responsibilities.

Benefits

• Employees may be eligible for bonuses.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Flexible working environment that supports work-life balance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level