Senior Cost Manager - Life Sciences Construction

Turner & Townsend • Wilson, NC

5d

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 deliver value-added cost management services. The role supports a major pharmaceutical and consumer health manufacturing expansion program in Wilson, North Carolina, approximately 20 minutes south of Rocky Mount. The program involves redeveloping and expanding a large manufacturing campus with a substantial pipeline of ongoing and future capital projects. The position contributes to cost management across the full project lifecycle, from planning and design through construction and closeout. Mileage reimbursement and additional support may be available to candidates commuting from surrounding areas, depending on individual circumstances.

The successful candidate will provide leadership and direction, communicate effectively in a client-facing environment, work independently with minimal supervision, and collaborate with project teams and stakeholders. The role includes cost planning, estimating, cost controls, commercial negotiations, change management, reporting, and support for project delivery. The position also involves mentoring talent, maintaining Turner & Townsend systems and methodologies, and promoting the company’s purpose, values, and vision. On-site presence and requirements may change depending on client needs. SOX control responsibilities may form part of the role where applicable.

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 construction-industry cost management role.
• 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.
• Ability to work independently and proactively with minimal supervision.

Nice To Haves

• RICS-accredited or actively working toward RICS 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 help the general contractor maintain accurate cost data.
• Meet and communicate 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 cost information from suppliers, subcontractors, NPA data, quantities, and architect/engineer information for cost discussions.
• Inform and drive engineering priorities based on cost impacts.
• Work proactively with minimal supervision to resolve project and scheduling issues.
• Manage cost checks and 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 and update cost plans and estimates at key design milestones.
• Provide commercial input to design optioneering and value-engineering exercises.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing and lead client-side negotiations to secure fair and competitive contract pricing.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost controls, and change-management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Maintain effective post-contract cost variance and change-control processes.
• 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, and celebrate 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.
• Promote a one-business culture balancing positive outcomes for employees, clients, stakeholders, and society.
• Adhere to applicable SOX control responsibilities.

Benefits

• Flexible working environment that promotes a healthy and productive work-life balance.
• Mileage reimbursement and additional commuting support may be available based on individual circumstances.

What This Job Offers

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