Cost Manager (Pre-contract)

Turner & Townsend; Dubai; On-site; AED 360,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend in Dubai is seeking a detail-oriented Cost Manager (Pre-contract) to lead pre-contract cost management on assigned UAE projects. You will develop cost strategies, estimate budgets, and provide data-driven recommendations to keep projects within scope and budget.

The role requires a 4+ year track record in pre-contract cost management, UAE market experience, and strong proficiency with CostX and cost engineering tools. Excellent English communication is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying or related field.
• MRICS membership is advantageous.
• Minimum 4 years of pre-contract cost management experience in UAE.

Responsibilities

• Manage pre-contract cost management for projects, including cost planning, estimating, budgeting and tender docs using standard methods.
• Conduct risk assessments, develop contingencies, and analyze costs to identify savings opportunities.
• Prepare regular cost reports, highlight deviations, and recommend corrective actions; validate cost data.
• Provide expert cost advice and support using CostX for accurate analysis.
• Collaborate with clients, design teams and stakeholders to align on costs and strategies.
• Ensure compliance with regulations, industry standards and client specs.
• Support UAE-specific cost benchmarks development.

Skills

Cost management

Pre-contract

Data analysis

Communication

CostX

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying

Tools

CostX

MS Excel

Project management tools

Job description

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.

Job Description

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Cost Manager (Pre-contract) to join our growing team in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In this role, you will be instrumental in managing project costs during the pre-contract phase, ensuring that our projects are delivered within scope, on time, and within budget whilst maintaining the highest quality standards. You will work collaboratively with clients, stakeholders, and internal teams to develop comprehensive cost strategies and provide transparent, data-driven recommendations that drive project success.

• Manage pre-contract cost management responsibilities for assigned projects, including cost planning, estimating, budget development, and tender documentation preparation using industry-standard methods of measurement (NRM, POMI, CESMM)
• Conduct thorough risk assessments, develop appropriate contingency budgets, and analyse project costs to identify cost-saving opportunities and value engineering initiatives
• Prepare regular, transparent reports on project costs, highlighting deviations from budget and recommending corrective actions; review and validate cost data for accuracy and compliance with industry standards
• Provide expert advice and support on cost-effective solutions, utilising measurement software such as CostX to enhance accuracy and efficiency in cost analysis
• Collaborate effectively with clients, design teams, and other stakeholders to ensure clear communication and alignment on project costs and cost strategies
• Ensure all cost management activities comply with regulatory requirements, industry best practices, and client specifications
• Support the development and refinement of cost benchmarks relevant to the UAE market

Qualifications

**Education:**

• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying or related field
• Professional membership (e.g., MRICS) is advantageous

**Experience:**

• Minimum 4 years of progressive experience in cost management, with strong focus on pre-contract activities
• Proven track record managing project costs independently and delivering accurate estimates
• UAE market experience is required

**Technical Skills:**

• Proficiency in cost planning, estimating, and tender documentation preparation using NRM, POMI, and CESMM methods of measurement
• Proficiency with CostX measurement software is required
• Strong ability to analyse complex cost data and financial information
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and project management tools

**Core Competencies:**

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with meticulous attention to detail
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Ability to work independently whilst collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams
• Demonstrated expertise in risk assessment, value engineering, and cost optimisation
• Capability to present cost strategies and detailed reports to clients and senior stakeholders
• Sound knowledge of construction industry standards, compliance requirements, and regulatory frameworks

Additional Information

Core Behavioral Skills:

The successful candidates will possess the following characteristics:

• Strong numeracy and analytical skills with the ability to investigate and interrogate data
• Shows initiative and can work independently on assigned tasks
• Be a team player.The team support each and work together where requirements can be simultaneous and conflicting.The ability to work with the team, agree the priorities and manage time pressures are key.
• Have good interpersonal skills with ability to communicate well with all levels within the organization
• Must be comfortable with working in a fast-moving, dynamic environment
• Month end closing must adhere to group reporting deadlines and therefore it’s time challenging and pressurized period

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