Senior Cost Manager (Pre-Contract)

Turner & Townsend; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend in the United Arab Emirates seeks an experienced Senior Cost Manager to lead pre-contract cost management for commercial real estate projects.

You will advise on cost-effective solutions, conduct risk assessments, prepare budget reports, mentor junior staff and collaborate with clients and stakeholders to deliver projects on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in cost management with a focus on pre-contract

Responsibilities

• Lead pre-contract cost management activities on commercial real estate projects

Skills

Cost planning

Cost estimating

Risk assessment

Stakeholder management

Mentoring

Education

Quantity Surveying degree

MRICS/AIQS preferred

Tools

CostX

Excel

ERP systems

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager to join our dynamic team The ideal candidate should have extensive pre-contract experience and a strong background in real estate sector with a focus on commercial real estate You will play a key role in ensuring our projects are delivered within scope on time and within budget while maintaining quality

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

Education

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

Experience: 10+ years in cost management, with a strong 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. UAE market experience is mandatory.

Technical Skills

Technical Skills: Proficiency 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.