Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Commercial Real Estate

Turner & Townsend•San Francisco, CA

10d

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to lead cost management services across commercial real estate construction projects. The role serves as a key day-to-day client interface and ensures project objectives are achieved through proactive cost planning, commercial management, cost control, procurement support, and financial oversight throughout the project lifecycle. The successful candidate will bring extensive experience managing complex commercial real estate developments, including corporate workplace, office, mixed-use, retail, hospitality, tenant improvement, and redevelopment projects. The role calls for strong leadership and stakeholder management, the ability to guide project teams and influence decision-makers, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities independently while mentoring junior colleagues. The position also involves financial management of commissions and supporting consistent delivery of company methodologies and best practices. On-site presence and requirements may change depending on client needs. The base salary range is $130,000–$160,000 USD. Employees may also be eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package. Turner & Townsend promotes a healthy, productive, and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance and is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a construction-related field.
Minimum 5–7 years of relevant experience in a cost management role in the construction industry.
Experience leading cost management on medium- or large-sized construction projects of medium to high complexity.
Good knowledge of construction industry technical matters, including procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.
Excellent communication skills.

Nice To Haves

RICS accreditation or working toward it.
Construction consultancy experience.

Responsibilities

Estimate and negotiate change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
Provide estimates and cost planning, including producing and presenting the final cost plan.
Review and participate with the design services team and general contractor in developing cost estimates.
Reconcile changes and assist the general contractor in ensuring submitted data is accurate.
Communicate with or meet the general contractor and owner’s project manager to gather status information for cost estimate updates.
Prepare written comments on general contractor submissions, including executive summaries.
Coordinate sources of cost information for cost discussions, including suppliers, subcontractors, and quantities from architects and engineers.
Inform and drive engineering priorities based on cost impact.
Work proactively with minimal supervision to resolve scheduling issues.
Manage cost checks and carry out valuations on larger projects.
Complete timely and accurate cost checking and valuation processes.
Manage post-contract cost variances and change control processes effectively.
Manage cost impact, contingency, and commitment tracking logs.
Prepare funding data presentations and coordinate value-engineering sessions with stakeholders.
Develop cost plans and estimates through the design phase and deliver updated plans at appropriate design milestones.
Provide commercial input to design optioneering and value-engineering exercises.
Review contractor and subcontractor pricing and lead client-side negotiations to achieve fair contract prices.
Perform quantity surveying, cost control, and change management throughout the project lifecycle.
Ensure cost auditing and valuation work is managed effectively and that robust cost validation processes are in place.
Produce monthly cost reports for presentation to the client.
Negotiate and agree final accounts in a timely manner.
Compile built-cost estimate records for benchmarking.
Identify, coach, and mentor talent and celebrate others’ successes.
Demonstrate leadership and service delivery in line with the conditions of appointment.
Track commission margin levels and monthly fee and resource forecasts using internal software, and prepare financial reports.
Implement and maintain internal Business Management Systems, delivery methodologies, and tools to support consistent best-practice delivery.
Model and promote a one-business culture that balances the needs of people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
Adhere to applicable SOX control responsibilities.