Senior Construction Cost Manager – Quantity Surveyor

Turner & Townsend

Senior Cost Manager at Turner & Townsend serving as primary client interface for cost management services. Leading project cost planning, governance, and contributing to benchmarking initiatives.

Posted 6/11/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Act as the primary client interface, delivering clear, executive-level cost reporting, variance analysis, and strategic commercial guidance.
Lead cost planning, estimating, and financial governance across the full project lifecycle, including preparing and presenting detailed cost plans, forecasts, and cash flow projections.
Oversee project cost control processes, including managing change orders, valuations, contractor applications, and final account negotiations with a defensible, auditable approach.
Review contractor and subcontractor pricing, lead commercial negotiations, and ensure accuracy and alignment of project cost data.
Participate in design development, providing commercial input into design optioneering, value engineering, and engineering prioritization based on cost impact.
Coordinate and consolidate cost information from multiple sources, including contractors, consultants, and suppliers, to support informed decision-making.
Manage post-contract cost variances, change control processes, and contingency tracking to ensure effective project delivery.
Prepare monthly cost reports, funding updates, and executive summaries for client presentation.
Lead and contribute to the development of Turner & Townsend’s internal benchmarking strategy, including compiling built cost data and establishing consistent cost baselines across programs.
Track market trends (labor, materials, and economic conditions) and apply insights to forecasting and risk mitigation.
Drive the use of digital cost management and benchmarking tools to standardize data, improve reporting, and enhance delivery efficiency.
Oversee remote delivery teams, ensuring consistent execution of best practices, governance standards, and company methodologies.
Mentor and support junior team members, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.
Contribute to the development and implementation of internal business management systems and delivery frameworks.
Support financial management activities, including fee tracking, resource forecasting, and margin reporting.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Cost Engineering, or a related field.
Minimum 5–7 years of experience in cost management or quantity surveying, ideally within a consultancy or large capital program environment.
Proven experience delivering cost management services on medium to large, complex construction projects.
Demonstrated ability to develop cost models, analyze project data, and contribute to benchmarking or cost intelligence initiatives.
Experience leading or coordinating remote or distributed project teams is preferred.
Strong knowledge of construction industry practices, including procurement routes, value engineering, and commercial management.
Proficiency with digital cost management tools (e.g., CostX or similar platforms).
RICS accreditation (or working toward it) or equivalent professional certification is preferred.
Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Flexible working arrangements
Professional development opportunities

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

cost managementcost planningestimatingfinancial governancevariance analysiscost modelingbenchmarkingvalue engineeringchange controlcash flow projections

Soft Skills

communicationstakeholder managementleadershipmentoringcollaborationstrategic guidanceorganizational skillsnegotiationteam coordinationdecision-making

Certifications

Bachelor’s degree in Construction ManagementBachelor’s degree in Quantity SurveyingBachelor’s degree in Cost EngineeringRICS accreditationequivalent professional certification