Senior Cost Manager - Life Sciences Construction

Turner & Townsend•Raleigh, NC

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to serve as a key day-to-day client interface and ensure client objectives are achieved through value-added cost management services. The role supports a major pharmaceutical and consumer health manufacturing expansion program in Wilson, North Carolina, approximately 50 minutes east of Raleigh. The program involves redevelopment and expansion of a large-scale manufacturing campus with ongoing and future capital projects. The position provides cost management services throughout the full project lifecycle, from planning and design through construction and closeout. The successful candidate will work independently while collaborating with project teams and stakeholders, provide leadership and direction, and support the growth of a valued client relationship. The role includes cost planning, estimating, cost controls, change management, commercial negotiations, reporting, and client service. On-site presence and requirements may change depending on client needs. Mileage reimbursement and additional support may be available to candidates commuting from surrounding areas, based on individual circumstances.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related construction field.
  • Minimum 5–7 years of relevant experience in a cost-management role within the construction industry.
  • Experience leading cost-management services on medium- to large-scale construction projects of moderate to high complexity.
  • Strong understanding of construction-industry technical matters, including procurement strategies, value management, and value engineering.
  • Demonstrated experience managing project budgets, cost controls, change management, and commercial negotiations.
  • Excellent client-facing, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced project environment and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

Nice To Haves

  • RICS accredited or actively working toward accreditation.
  • Experience leading cost-management services on large-scale industrial, pharmaceutical, life sciences, manufacturing, or consumer-products capital projects.
  • Experience supporting greenfield, brownfield, expansion, or facility-modernization programs.
  • Construction consultancy experience.

Responsibilities

  • Estimate and negotiate change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
  • Provide estimating and cost-planning services, including producing and presenting final cost plans.
  • Review and participate with the design services team and general contractor in developing cost estimates.
  • Reconcile changes and assist the general contractor in ensuring cost data is accurate.
  • Communicate and meet with the general contractor, owner, and project manager to gather status information and prepare cost-estimate updates.
  • Prepare written comments on contractor submissions, including executive summaries.
  • Coordinate sources of cost information for cost discussions, including suppliers, subcontractors, NPA data, quantities, and A/E information.
  • Inform and drive engineering priorities based on cost impacts.
  • Work proactively with minimal supervision to resolve project and scheduling issues.
  • Manage cost checks and carry out valuations on larger projects, ensuring timely and accurate cost validation.
  • Participate in post-contract cost variance management and change-control processes.
  • Manage cost-impact assessments, contingency management, and commitment-tracking logs.
  • Prepare funding presentations and coordinate value-engineering sessions with stakeholders.
  • Develop cost plans and estimates throughout the design phase and provide updates at key design milestones.
  • Provide commercial input into design optioneering and value-engineering exercises.
  • Review contractor and subcontractor pricing and lead negotiations on behalf of the client to secure fair and competitive contract pricing.
  • Perform quantity surveying, cost controls, and change-management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Ensure post-contract cost variances and change-control processes are managed effectively.
  • Maintain robust cost-auditing, valuation, and validation processes.
  • Produce and present monthly cost reports to the client.
  • Negotiate and finalize project accounts in a timely manner.
  • Compile and maintain built-cost benchmarking data.
  • Identify, coach, and mentor talent while celebrating others’ success.
  • Demonstrate leadership and service delivery in line with project and client expectations.
  • Use internal systems to manage commission financial performance, including fee forecasts, resource forecasting, and reporting.
  • Implement and maintain Turner & Townsend business-management systems, methodologies, and tools for consistent client delivery.
  • Promote a one-business culture that balances positive outcomes for people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
  • Adhere to applicable SOX control responsibilities.

Benefits

  • Healthy, productive, and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.
  • Mileage reimbursement and additional support may be available for candidates commuting from surrounding areas, based on individual circumstances.
© 2026 Teal Labs, Inc
Privacy PolicyTerms of Service