Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries.
Working with our clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, we transform together delivering outcomes that improve people’s lives. Working in partnership makes it possible to deliver the world’s most impactful projects and programmes as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success.
Our capabilities include programme, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions.
We are majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with our partners holding a significant minority interest. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide clients with the premier programme, project and cost management offering in markets around the world.
Please visit our website: www.turnerandtownsend.com
Job DescriptionRole Overview
We are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager to lead the commercial and cost management function for major advanced manufacturing projects, including semiconductor, electronics, pharmaceutical, battery, and other high-tech industrial facilities.
This role will take ownership of either the Civil, Structural & Architectural (CSA) or Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing (MEP) scope, providing strategic commercial leadership from project inception through procurement, construction, commissioning, and close-out. You will act as a trusted advisor to clients while ensuring robust cost control, risk management, and financial governance throughout the project lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
Cost Planning & Commercial Strategy
- Lead the development of project budgets, feasibility estimates, cost plans, and cost models across all project phases.
- Establish cost benchmarks and provide strategic commercial advice to support investment decisions.
- Review design development to ensure alignment with budget objectives and project requirements.
- Lead value engineering and cost optimisation initiatives without compromising functionality, quality, or operational performance.
Procurement & Tender Management
- Develop and implement procurement strategies for major CSA or MEP trade packages.
- Lead tendering activities including pre-qualification, tender analysis, commercial evaluation, and contract award recommendations.
- Conduct contractor and vendor negotiations to secure optimal commercial outcomes.
- Manage procurement risks and support package buyout strategies.
Post-Contract Cost Management
- Lead the management of variations, change orders, compensation events, and contractor claims.
- Review and approve contractor valuations, progress claims, and payment certifications.
- Monitor project cost performance against approved budgets and forecasts.
- Lead final account negotiations and commercial close-out activities.
Cost Reporting & Financial Control
- Prepare and present monthly cost reports, financial forecasts, and cash flow analyses.
- Identify cost trends, opportunities, and commercial risks, providing mitigation strategies where required.
- Ensure compliance with project controls, governance procedures, and financial reporting standards.
- Maintain accurate cost records and commercial documentation.
Stakeholder & Client Management
- Serve as the key commercial interface between clients, consultants, contractors, and project teams.
- Present commercial updates and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
- Support project leadership teams in commercial decision-making and risk management.
- Build and maintain strong client relationships through proactive service delivery.
Risk Management & Governance
- Identify, assess, and manage commercial and contractual risks throughout project delivery.
- Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, company standards, and project governance requirements.
- Support dispute avoidance and resolution strategies where necessary.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and lessons learned programmes.
Team Leadership & Mentoring
- Lead, mentor, and develop Cost Managers and Assistant Cost Managers.
- Review team deliverables to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance.
- Support resource planning and capability development within the cost management team.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on client satisfaction and project success.
- Bachelor's Degree in Quantity Surveying, Cost Management, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Professional accreditation such as MRICS, AIQS, CIQS, or equivalent is highly desirable.
- 10–15 years of experience in cost management, quantity surveying, or commercial management.
- Strong experience managing either CSA or MEP packages on major construction projects.
- Proven track record delivering advanced manufacturing, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, electronics, battery plant, industrial, or mission-critical facility projects.
- Previous experience within a cost consultancy or project management consultancy environment is highly preferred.
- Experience leading commercial teams and managing complex stakeholder environments.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking.
- Advanced knowledge of cost planning, procurement, contract administration, and change management.
- Excellent stakeholder management and client-facing skills.
- Strong analytical, financial modelling, and reporting capabilities.
- Ability to perform effectively in fast-paced, highly technical project environments.
- Proficiency in CostX, CostOS, Power BI, or equivalent cost management tools is advantageous.
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/
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