Lead Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor, Life Sciences Construction

Sccsinternational; Hillsboro, Northern (OR, KY); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner Townsend in Hillsboro, Oregon, seeks a Lead Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to lead cost management on a major life sciences capital programme. You will manage cost control, forecasting, and reporting, coordinating with the general contractor and owner’s reps to ensure commercial success.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in construction-related field, at least eight years in cost management, and experience on life sciences or manufacturing projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering or related field.
• At least eight years in a cost management role in construction.
• Experience on life sciences, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, laboratory, manufacturing or industrial projects.
• RICS certification or equivalent accreditation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost management services for a major capital construction programme.
• Manage cost control and change management across the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate with the general contractor and owner's representatives and external stakeholders.
• Advise on contracting and procurement strategy.
• Support programme-level capital planning and reporting.
• Lead a cost management team, conduct performance reviews, set strategy and coach staff.
• Track margin and fee forecasts for each commission; maintain business management systems; support audits; contribute to proposals.

Skills

Quantity surveying

Cost control

Change management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in construction management or related field

RICS certification

Job description

Lead Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor, Life Sciences Construction

Turner and Townsend

Employer Turner and Townsend Location Hillsboro, United States Contract Full time Level Not stated Salary USD 160,000 to 175,000 a year Closes Not stated

What the role covers

Turner and Townsend is recruiting a Lead Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor in Hillsboro, Oregon, released on its board on 8 September 2026, to lead cost management services on a major capital construction programme: a large life sciences and manufacturing development with its associated buildings, site infrastructure and support facilities.

The holder acts as a key client partner, manages the stakeholder relationships and is the first point of contact for reporting on the overall commercial status of the project.

The work covers:

• quantity surveying
• cost control and change management across the project lifecycle
• coordination with the general contractor
• the owner's representatives and external stakeholders
• advice on contracting and procurement strategy
• support to programme level capital planning and reporting

The role leads a cost management team, runs staff performance reviews, sets the team's strategy and coaches its people.

Internal responsibilities include:

• tracking margin and fee forecasts for each commission
• maintaining the firm's business management systems
• supporting audits
• contributing to proposals for new clients

The firm asks for a bachelor's degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering or a related construction field, at least eight years in a cost management role in the construction industry, and demonstrated experience on life sciences, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, laboratory, manufacturing or industrial projects. Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred, as is RICS certification or an equivalent accreditation.

The base salary range published for the role is 160,000 to 175,000 US dollars. The post is full time. No closing date is published.