Senior Cost Estimator - Construction Management

Turner & Townsend; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A global consultancy firm in Los Angeles seeks a Senior Cost Estimator experienced in cost management across construction stages. The ideal candidate has a degree in Engineering or related field and strong client-facing skills. Responsibilities include estimating costs, producing reports, and leading cost management teams. Salary range is $130,000 - $160,000 per year.

Qualifications

• Experience with cost management and estimating across all construction stages.
• Demonstrated experience as a Cost Manager on real-estate projects.
• Proficient in industry estimating databases like RS Means.

Responsibilities

• Provide estimate and cost planning, including final cost plan.
• Estimate at conceptual, programming and detailed levels.
• Manage cost checks and perform valuations on larger projects.
• Produce monthly cost reports and present them to clients.
• Provide leadership to cost management commissions.

Skills

Cost management

Estimating

Communication skills

Client-facing roles

Leadership

Negotiation skills

Education

College degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Excel

CostX

Bluebeam

Job description

Turner & Townsend are looking for an experienced Senior Cost Estimator to join our growing Los Angeles team.

From the inception of a project through to completion and beyond, we help to deliver the outcomes that matter through transformational programs covering the full spectrum of consultancy, project delivery and post‑project operations. With offices worldwide, we make a difference to projects across the real estate, infrastructure and natural resources sectors.

Job Description

The Senior Cost Estimator should have experience with cost management and estimating across all construction stages, ideally for real‑estate projects within the commercial, hospitality, interiors and retail sectors. To be successful you must have consulting experience, great communication skills and be comfortable operating in a client‑facing role.

Responsibilities

• Provide estimate and cost planning, including producing and presenting the final cost plan.
• Estimate at conceptual, programming and detailed levels.
• Assist in providing feasibility studies and applying parametric benchmark cost data.
• Provide benchmarking studies, analyse cost data and present findings in reports.
• Undertake cost assurance of third‑party estimates, report writing and presentation.
• Perform all aspects of procurement, including pre‑qualification, bid list production, bid analysis, bid reporting and compilation of contractual documents.
• Participate effectively in post‑contract cost variance and change control processes.
• Manage cost checks and perform valuations on larger projects, ensuring timely and accurate cost checking and valuation processes.
• Produce monthly cost reports and present them to clients.
• Provide input into value engineering and options analysis.
• Maintain liaison with clients and other consultants at all project stages.
• Provide leadership to cost management commissions, ensuring delivery of all accountabilities.
• Identify opportunities to develop new business with existing clients and report such opportunities to the appropriate line manager, utilising the marketing database.
• Identify improvements for cost estimating and cost management procedures, templates and products, and refer ideas to the appropriate line manager.
• Provide leadership and training to estimating, direct‑reports as necessary and appropriate.
• Demonstrate proficiency in estimating formats, including Uniformat and CSI Masterformat.

Qualifications

• Technical Requirements: Competency using Excel, Word, PowerPoint, CostX, Bluebeam.
• Proficient in use of industry estimating databases and other estimating data sources, e.g., RS Means, Trade Services, Richardsons.
• Educational and Professional Qualifications: College degree in Engineering, Construction Management with a technical focus, Quantity Surveyor, or related technical field.
• Demonstrated experience as a Cost Manager on real‑estate (commercial, hospitality, interiors, and retail) projects.
• Exemplary communication skills – both written and oral.
• Self‑starter, goal/results‑oriented leader and team player.
• Demonstrated negotiation skills.

Additional Information

Salary range: $130,000 – $160,000 per year. This range reflects base salary only and is subject to adjustment based on experience and qualifications.

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.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

It is strictly against policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with us will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time.