Senior Construction Cost Manager - Benchmarking Lead
About The Position
Turner & Townsend are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager to act as the key day-to-day client interface, ensuring client objectives are met through the delivery of a value-added cost management service. In this role, you will serve as a senior commercial authority across large-scale infrastructure or real estate portfolios, combining hands-on project delivery with leadership of internal benchmarking and cost intelligence initiatives. You will orchestrate remote delivery teams, leveraging global program data to establish cost baselines, mitigate risk, and inform strategic decision-making. To be successful in this role, you must have strong communication skills and be comfortable operating in a client-facing environment. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, driven, and capable of working independently while contributing to a high-performing team. You will play a key role in embedding and promoting the purpose, values, and vision of Turner & Townsend.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Cost Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum 5–7 years of experience in cost management or quantity surveying, ideally within a consultancy or large capital program environment.
- Proven experience delivering cost management services on medium to large, complex construction projects.
- Demonstrated ability to develop cost models, analyze project data, and contribute to benchmarking or cost intelligence initiatives.
- Strong knowledge of construction industry practices, including procurement routes, value engineering, and commercial management.
- Proficiency with digital cost management tools (e.g., CostX or similar platforms).
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
Nice To Haves
- Experience leading or coordinating remote or distributed project teams is preferred.
- RICS accreditation (or working toward it) or equivalent professional certification is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Act as the primary client interface, delivering clear, executive-level cost reporting, variance analysis, and strategic commercial guidance.
- Lead cost planning, estimating, and financial governance across the full project lifecycle, including preparing and presenting detailed cost plans, forecasts, and cash flow projections.
- Oversee project cost control processes, including managing change orders, valuations, contractor applications, and final account negotiations with a defensible, auditable approach.
- Review contractor and subcontractor pricing, lead commercial negotiations, and ensure accuracy and alignment of project cost data.
- Participate in design development, providing commercial input into design optioneering, value engineering, and engineering prioritization based on cost impact.
- Coordinate and consolidate cost information from multiple sources, including contractors, consultants, and suppliers, to support informed decision-making.
- Manage post-contract cost variances, change control processes, and contingency tracking to ensure effective project delivery.
- Prepare monthly cost reports, funding updates, and executive summaries for client presentation.
- Lead and contribute to the development of Turner & Townsend’s internal benchmarking strategy, including compiling built cost data and establishing consistent cost baselines across programs.
- Track market trends (labor, materials, and economic conditions) and apply insights to forecasting and risk mitigation.
- Drive the use of digital cost management and benchmarking tools to standardize data, improve reporting, and enhance delivery efficiency.
- Oversee remote delivery teams, ensuring consistent execution of best practices, governance standards, and company methodologies.
- Mentor and support junior team members, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of internal business management systems and delivery frameworks.
- Support financial management activities, including fee tracking, resource forecasting, and margin reporting.
- SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.
Benefits
- bonuses
- comprehensive benefits package
- healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
