Senior Cost Manager – Commercial Real Estate Construction

Turner & Townsend

Senior Cost Manager leading cost management services for commercial real estate construction projects. Ensuring alignment with client objectives and delivering value-added cost management throughout project lifecycles.

Posted 7/30/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $130,000 - $150,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in cost management, quantity surveying, and financial oversight for commercial real estate projects, with a strong focus on budget management, cost forecasting, and stakeholder communication.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Cost ManagementQuantity SurveyingBudget ManagementChange ManagementStakeholder Communication

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Cost EstimatingCost PlanningCost ControlFinancial ReportingValue EngineeringProcurement StrategiesChange Order NegotiationCost Variance AnalysisQuantity Take-offsProject Financial Management

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationStakeholder ManagementLeadershipMentoringClient-Facing Skills

Tools & Technologies

Internal Business Management SystemsCost Tracking Software

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Construction ManagementRICS Accreditation

Industry Keywords

Commercial Real EstateConstruction ConsultancyCost AuditingFinancial OversightCapital Projects

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Estimating and negotiating change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
Provide estimating, cost planning, and budget management services, including producing and presenting final cost plans.
Review and participate with design teams, contractors, and project stakeholders in the development and validation of cost estimates.
Support cost management delivery across a range of commercial real estate asset classes, including office, retail, industrial, mixed-use, multifamily, hospitality, and other development projects.
Reconcile changes and assist project teams to ensure cost and budget data is accurate and aligned with project objectives.
Communicate and meet with owners, developers, project managers, consultants, and contractors to gather project status information and prepare cost estimate updates.
Prepare written comments and analyses of contractor submissions, including executive summaries, budget reviews, and commercial recommendations.
Coordinate all sources of cost information for cost discussions, including contractor pricing, subcontractor bids, consultant estimates, market benchmarks, and quantity take-offs.
Inform and drive engineering and design priorities based on cost impact and project budget objectives.
Work proactively with minimal supervision to resolve cost and scheduling issues.
Manage cost checks and carry out valuations on larger projects, ensuring timely and accurate cost validation processes.
Participate effectively in post-contract cost management, change control, and cost variance management processes.
Manage cost impact assessments, contingency management, commitment tracking logs, and forecast reporting.
Prepare funding data presentations and coordinate value engineering (VE) sessions with key stakeholders.
Develop cost plans and estimates throughout the design phase, delivering updated cost plans at key project milestones.
Provide commercial input to design optioneering and value engineering exercises.
Review contractor and subcontractor pricing and lead negotiations on behalf of clients to achieve 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.
Participate in project due diligence activities, cost audits, budget reviews, draw reviews, and ongoing financial monitoring of construction projects.
Support the review of project budgets, cost-to-complete forecasts, contingency utilization, and funding requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
Ensure cost auditing and valuation work is managed effectively and that robust validation and reporting processes are in place.
Carry out the production of monthly cost reports, including budget performance, cost variance analysis, contingency tracking, and forecasted final costs.
Ensure final accounts are negotiated and agreed upon in a timely manner.
Compile built-cost and benchmarking records for future cost planning and market analysis.
Identify, coach, and mentor talent to realize their potential and celebrate the success of others.
Display excellence in leadership and service delivery on commissions in line with the conditions of appointment.
Utilize internal software to track ongoing margin levels, monthly fee/resource forecasts, and financial performance for each commission.
Implement and maintain internal Business Management Systems and company delivery methodologies to ensure consistent delivery of best practices for clients and the business.
Be a role model who drives a one-business culture that achieves great outcomes by striking the right balance for our people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role and must be adhered to where applicable.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Real Estate, or a related construction field
Minimum 5-7 years of relevant experience working in a cost management, quantity surveying, or construction cost control role
RICS accredited or working toward accreditation is preferred
Experience leading cost management services on medium to large-scale commercial real estate and construction projects of moderate to high complexity
Experience supporting owner-side project delivery, capital projects, project monitoring, construction lending support, cost verification, draw reviews, or financial oversight functions is a plus
Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred
Good knowledge of construction industry technical matters, including procurement strategies, value management, value engineering, budgeting, and cost controls
Strong understanding of project financial management, change management, cost forecasting, and reporting processes
Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and client-facing skills.

Benefits

Comp & perks

bonuses
comprehensive benefits package
healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance