Senior Cost Manager - Commercial Real Estate

Turner & Townsend • Wide Ruins, AZ

2d

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager to join its Commercial Real Estate team. The role serves as a key day-to-day client interface, delivering value-added cost management services across a diverse portfolio of construction projects and ensuring client objectives are achieved. The position requires strong communication and stakeholder management skills, comfort in a client-facing environment, self-motivation, independence, and effective collaboration with multidisciplinary project teams. It also provides leadership and direction while promoting Turner & Townsend’s purpose, values, and vision and delivering service throughout the project lifecycle.

The Senior Cost Manager leads cost estimating, cost planning, quantity surveying, cost control, valuations, change management, and commercial activities from design through construction and final account. The role includes client reporting and presentations, contractor and supplier coordination and negotiations, cost validation, financial management of commissions, and coaching and mentoring colleagues. On-site presence and requirements may change according to client needs. SOX control responsibilities may apply where relevant.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a construction-related field.
• At least 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 towards it.
• Construction consultancy experience.

Responsibilities

• Estimate and negotiate change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
• Prepare and present estimates and cost plans, including final cost plans and updates at appropriate design milestones.
• Review and contribute to cost estimates developed with design services teams and general contractors.
• Reconcile changes and assist general contractors in ensuring cost data is accurate.
• Gather project status information from general contractors and the owner or project manager to prepare cost estimate updates.
• Prepare written comments on general contractor submissions, including executive summaries.
• Coordinate cost information from NPA, subcontractors, suppliers, and architect/engineers for cost discussions.
• Inform and drive engineering priorities based on cost impact.
• Proactively resolve scheduling issues with minimal supervision.
• Manage cost checks and valuations on larger projects, ensuring timely and accurate processes.
• Manage post-contract cost variances and change control processes.
• Manage cost impacts, contingency, and commitment tracking logs.
• Prepare funding data presentations and coordinate value engineering sessions with stakeholders.
• 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.
• Manage cost auditing, valuation work, and cost validation processes.
• Produce monthly cost reports for presentation to clients.
• Negotiate and agree final accounts in a timely manner.
• Compile built cost estimate records for benchmarking.
• Identify, coach, and mentor talent and celebrate others’ success.
• Provide leadership and service delivery on commissions in accordance 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.
• Promote a one-business culture and balance the needs of employees, clients, stakeholders, and society.
• Adhere to applicable SOX control responsibilities.

Benefits

• Flexible working environment that supports work-life balance.
• Inclusive workplace that celebrates diversity and encourages applications from all sectors of the community.

What This Job Offers

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