Mechanical Cost Manager - Real Estate Construction

Turner & Townsend • Houston, TX

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking a Mechanical Cost Manager or Quantity Surveyor to join their team and provide construction cost services for real estate projects in the Houston, Texas area. This role will focus on mechanical systems (HVAC, plumbing, and associated infrastructure) within commercial and large-scale developments. The successful candidate will be driven, committed to Turner & Townsend's purpose and values, and dedicated to delivering high-quality cost management services.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, mechanical engineering, or a field related to construction.
• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience working in a cost management role in the construction industry, with exposure to mechanical/MEP systems.
• Experience supporting cost management on medium or large sized commercial or real estate construction projects.
• Good knowledge of construction industry technical matters, including procurement routes, value management, and value engineering, with a strong understanding of mechanical systems (HVAC, piping, and equipment).
• Strong communication skills and ability to interface with clients, contractors, and mechanical trade partners.

Nice To Haves

• RICS accredited or working towards it is valuable.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on project strategies, manage prequalification of vendors, assess proposals and bid leveling documents for mechanical trades, and lead bid interviews and contractor appointment processes.
• Manage estimating services across the full project lifecycle with a focus on mechanical systems, including developing detailed cost estimates, reviewing junior team outputs, presenting to clients, and providing value engineering recommendations and risk assessments.
• Engage with mechanical subcontractors and vendors to review, validate, and challenge pricing, leveraging benchmark data and historical cost information.
• Establish and manage cost reporting processes, including preparing and presenting cost reports and forecasts, maintaining project budgets, and developing commercial risk registers with emphasis on mechanical scope.
• Lead cost control activities by reviewing payment applications, evaluating contractor entitlements, assessing change orders related to mechanical work, and supporting dispute avoidance and resolution.
• Manage and monitor the invoicing process to ensure accuracy and alignment with project progress.
• Benchmark project performance against comparable projects, with a focus on mechanical and MEP cost metrics.
• Oversee final accounting processes, including post-contract audits and financial closeout activities, ensuring accuracy of mechanical trade packages.
• Facilitate post-project reviews with clients to capture lessons learned and contribute to continuous improvement and internal knowledge sharing.
• Develop and implement procedures governing project handover, including commissioning and closeout of mechanical systems.
• Perform detailed cost management activities using bid analysis sheets, change control documentation, estimating software, and quantity take-off tools specific to mechanical scopes.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Benefits

• A great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.
• Support for success in work and life.
• Promotion of a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.

What This Job Offers

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