Senior Construction Cost Manager - Benchmarking Lead

Turner & Townsend are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager
to act as the key day-to-day client interface, ensuring client objectives are met through the delivery of a value-added cost management service.

In this role, you will serve as a senior commercial authority across large-scale infrastructure or real estate portfolios, combining hands-on project delivery with leadership of internal benchmarking and cost intelligence initiatives. You will orchestrate remote delivery teams, leveraging global program data to establish cost baselines, mitigate risk, and inform strategic decision-making.

To be successful in this role, you must have strong communication skills and be comfortable operating in a client-facing environment. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, driven, and capable of working independently while contributing to a high-performing team. You will play a key role in embedding and promoting the purpose, values, and vision of Turner & Townsend.


Responsibilities:

• 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.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where
• applicable.

• 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.
   

"The salary range for this role is 140,000-170,000 (depending on location). This range reflects the company's good faith estimate of the base salary for this position at the time of the posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package."

*On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's needs.

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.

We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com/ and https://www.heery.com/

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time. 

Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted through our website or to Turner & Townsend personal e-mail accounts, are considered property of Turner & Townsend and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorised Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Turner & Townsend, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by the Recruitment Team, to submit candidates for review.