Lead / Senior Cost Manager (Pre - Contract)

Turner & Townsend International Limited; Dubai; On-site; AED 360,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend International Limited seeks a Senior Cost Manager in Dubai to lead pre-contract cost management across multiple projects. You will advise on cost-effective solutions, perform risk assessments, and monitor contingency budgets to keep projects on track.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in cost management with a UAE market focus, MRICS/AIQS preferred, and strong client-facing communication. You will mentor juniors and collaborate with stakeholders to deliver value.

Qualifications

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Civil Engineering or related field.
• MRICS/AIQS or equivalent accreditation is highly preferred.
• 10+ years in cost management with a focus on pre-contract.
• Proven ability to lead and manage multiple projects independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in client-facing roles and stakeholder coordination.
• Understanding of local cost benchmarks and UAE market experience is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Lead pre-contract cost management responsibilities and provide advice on cost-effective solutions including value engineering.
• Conduct risk assessments and ensure contingency budgets are managed appropriately.
• Prepare regular reports on projects highlighting deviations from the budget.
• Review and analyze project costs including preliminaries, overheads and materials.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, client requirements and regulatory bodies.
• Mentor and train junior cost managers.
• Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to ensure project is managed effectively.

Skills

Cost planning

Estimating

Tender documentation

Communication skills

Client-facing

Stakeholder coordination

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

NRM/POMI/CESMM

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Civil Engineering

MRICS/AIQS accreditation (preferred)

Tools

CostX

Job description

Responsibilities

• Lead pre-contract cost management responsibilities Provide advice and support on cost-effective solutions including value engineering
• Conduct risk assessments and ensure contingency budgets are managed appropriately
• Prepare regular reports on projects highlighting any deviations from the budget
• Review and analyze project costs including Preliminaries Overheads and materials
• Ensure compliance with industry standards client requirements and regulatory bodies
• Mentor and train junior cost managers
• Collaborate with clients and other stakeholders to ensure the project is managed effectively

Qualifications

• Education: Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
• Professional accreditation (e.g., MRICS, AIQS, or equivalent) is highly preferred.
• Experience: 10+ years in cost management, with a strong focus on pre-contract.
• PProven ability to lead and manage multiple projects independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in client-facing roles and stakeholder coordination.
• Understanding of local cost benchmarks.
• UAE market experience is mandatory.

Technical Skills

• Technical Skills:PProficiency in cost planning, estimating, and tender documentation.
• Ability to present cost strategies and reports to clients and senior stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of various methods of measurement (e.g., NRM, POMI, CESMM).
• Skilled in measurement software such as CostX or similar.

Leadership

• Leadership:Ability to lead cost management activities across multiple projects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Capable of mentoring junior staff and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams.