Senior Cost Control Manager - Life Sciences Construction

Turner & Townsend • Wilson, NC

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Control Manager to support a major pharmaceutical and consumer health manufacturing expansion program in Wilson, North Carolina, approximately 50 minutes east of Raleigh. The role supports a large-scale manufacturing campus expansion with ongoing and future capital projects, and is responsible for cost forecasting, reporting, change management, budget oversight, and cost control across multiple projects and workstreams throughout the construction lifecycle.

This is a client-facing leadership position requiring strong communication skills, commercial acumen, and effective collaboration with project teams, contractors, and senior stakeholders. The successful candidate will bring post-contract cost controls experience in a major capital project environment, with expertise in forecasting, change management, commitment tracking, accruals, budgeting, and executive reporting. Experience in life sciences, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, industrial, or other complex construction programs is highly desirable. Mileage reimbursement and additional support may be available to candidates commuting from surrounding areas, depending on individual circumstances.

The role may include SOX control responsibilities, which must be followed where applicable. On-site presence and requirements may change based on client needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Finance, Project Controls, Cost Management, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5–7 years of experience in construction cost controls, project controls, cost management, or commercial management.
• Experience supporting large-scale life sciences, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, industrial, or other complex capital projects.
• Strong experience with cost forecasting, budget management, change management, commitment tracking, accruals, cash flow forecasting, and cost reporting.
• Ability to analyze project financial performance, identify trends and risks, and provide recommendations to project leadership.
• Working knowledge of estimating, cost planning, and estimate validation, including review of contractor estimates and change order pricing.
• Proficiency with project controls and reporting tools such as EcoSys, Prism, Unifier, SAP, Power BI, Procore, Primavera P6, or similar platforms.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts, procurement strategies, and commercial management practices.
• Excellent client-facing communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.

Nice To Haves

• Construction consultancy experience.
• Professional certifications such as CCP, PSP, PMP, CEP, or MRICS.
• Experience supporting greenfield, brownfield, expansion, retrofit, or facility modernization projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead project cost control activities across a portfolio of construction projects within a major manufacturing capital program.
• Develop, implement, and maintain project cost control procedures, systems, and reporting processes.
• Monitor and manage project budgets, commitments, expenditures, accruals, forecasts, and cash flow.
• Prepare and maintain detailed cost reports, dashboards, and executive-level presentations for project leadership and client stakeholders.
• Lead monthly forecasting cycles, including Estimate at Completion (EAC), Estimate to Complete (ETC), contingency forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Track and report cost performance against approved budgets, identifying risks, trends, and opportunities.
• Manage commitment and change control logs, ensuring commercial transactions are accurately recorded, reviewed, and approved.
• Review contractor payment applications, invoices, forecasts, and supporting documentation for accuracy and compliance.
• Analyze cost impacts associated with potential changes, scope growth, schedule impacts, and construction risks.
• Coordinate with project management, project controls, scheduling, procurement, engineering, and construction teams to align project financial information.
• Maintain project cost breakdown structures (CBS), funding allocations, and cost coding structures.
• Support contingency management, including risk reviews and drawdown recommendations.
• Develop and maintain cost benchmarking and historical cost performance data.
• Prepare and present monthly cost reports to project leadership and client executives.
• Identify cost trends and provide proactive recommendations to support project decision-making.
• Participate in value engineering and cost optimization initiatives during project execution.
• Support review and validation of contractor estimates, change orders, and commercial proposals.
• Assist with budget development and estimate reviews during planning and design phases as needed.
• Ensure accurate project closeout reporting, final account reconciliation, and lessons learned documentation.
• Mentor junior cost management and project controls professionals.
• Implement and maintain Turner & Townsend methodologies, tools, and business management systems.
• Adhere to applicable SOX control responsibilities.

Benefits

• A healthy, productive, and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.
• Mileage reimbursement and additional commuting support may be available based on individual circumstances.

What This Job Offers

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