Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Commercial Construction

Turner & Townsend • Detroit, MI

6h • Onsite

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to serve as the primary client contact, providing high-quality cost management services for large-scale construction programs in the Detroit metropolitan area. The role involves managing complex, multi-phase developments, including new constructions, phased expansions, and renovations of existing facilities within active sites. This requires strong commercial acumen and effective coordination among various stakeholders. Success in this position depends on excellent communication skills and comfort in client-facing interactions. The ideal candidate will be self-directed, motivated, and capable of working independently while also contributing to a high-performing team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering or field related to construction.
• Minimum 5-7 years of relevant experience working in a cost management role in the construction industry.
• Experience of leading cost management on medium or large sized construction projects of medium to high complexity.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
• Understanding of procurement strategies, cost planning, and change management principles.
• Excellent communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• RICS accredited or working towards it is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead estimating and negotiating change orders throughout the construction lifecycle, ensuring alignment between scope, budget, and contract terms.
• Provide comprehensive cost planning and estimating services, including the development, review, and presentation of detailed cost plans at key project milestones.
• Partner with design teams and general contractors to develop, validate, and refine cost estimates, ensuring accuracy and alignment with project objectives.
• Reconcile project changes and proactively review contractor data to ensure completeness, consistency, and commercial accuracy.
• Act as a key liaison with project stakeholders to gather updates, track progress, and support the preparation of cost reports and forecasts.
• Prepare clear written commentary and executive summaries on contractor submissions, highlighting risks, variances, and key decision points.
• Coordinate and consolidate cost inputs from subcontractors, suppliers, and design teams to support informed commercial decision-making.
• Track and manage cost impacts, including contingency utilization, change control processes, and cost variance analysis across multiple workstreams.
• Perform detailed cost checks and valuations on complex projects, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Support procurement activities by reviewing contractor and subcontractor pricing, evaluating bids, and leading commercial negotiations.
• Provide input into value engineering and design optimization initiatives to improve cost efficiency while maintaining project intent.
• Produce monthly cost reports, including budget updates, forecasts, and funding analyses for client presentation.
• Ensure cost auditing, validation, and final account closeout processes are executed effectively and in accordance with best practices.
• Maintain and contribute to benchmarking data and cost records to support future project planning and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and support junior team members, fostering development and ensuring consistency in service delivery.
• Manage financial performance across commissions, including fee forecasting, margin tracking, and adherence to internal systems and controls.
• 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: Senior