Senior Cost Manager - Healthcare Construction

Turner & Townsend • Durham, NC

53d • Onsite

About The Position

Turner & Townsend are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager to act as the key day-to-day client interface, ensuring delivery of value-added cost management services across complex healthcare and life sciences construction projects. This role requires strong client-facing communication, leadership, and the ability to operate independently while supporting team success.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, quantity surveying, engineering, or related field.
• 5–7+ years of experience in construction cost management, preferably within healthcare or life sciences sectors.
• Experience supporting medium to large-scale, complex construction projects.
• Consultancy experience preferred.
• Knowledge of procurement routes, value management, and value engineering principles.
• Strong communication and client-facing skills.

Nice To Haves

• RICS accreditation (or working towards) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary client interface, ensuring cost management objectives are achieved across healthcare, academic, and biopharma construction projects.
• Prepare and deliver cost estimates and detailed cost plans throughout design and construction phases, aligned with project scope and milestones.
• Support cost planning on large-scale projects including clinical facilities, specialty treatment centers, and life sciences manufacturing environments.
• Review and collaborate with design teams and contractors to develop accurate cost estimates and validate pricing assumptions.
• Lead change order management, including estimating, negotiation, reconciliation, and tracking of cost impacts throughout the project lifecycle.
• Produce monthly cost reports, including executive summaries, cost forecasts, and variance analysis for stakeholders.
• Coordinate all sources of cost information including contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and design teams to ensure accurate cost reporting.
• Provide commercial input into design development, value engineering, and optioneering to optimize cost efficiency.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost controls, and cost auditing to ensure financial accuracy and adherence to budgets.
• Maintain cost control systems, including contingency tracking, commitment logs, and benchmarking data for future analysis.
• Participate in post-contract cost management, including change control processes and final account negotiations.
• Support resolution of cost and scheduling issues through proactive risk identification and data-driven recommendations.
• Lead cost validation processes and ensure robust governance around cost reporting and financial controls.
• Prepare funding analysis and support value engineering sessions with project stakeholders.
• Deliver cost management services across projects with high technical complexity, including MEP-intensive and regulated environments.
• Mentor and support junior team members, fostering professional development and high-performance delivery.
• Ensure consistent application of company systems, methodologies, and financial tracking tools across projects.
• Demonstrate leadership aligned with company values, driving strong outcomes for clients, stakeholders, and project teams.

Benefits

• A great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.
• Support for work-life balance through a healthy, productive and flexible working environment.

What This Job Offers

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