Senior Cost Manager - Campus Construction Leader

Turner & Townsend; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend in Northern Virginia is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager/Quantity Surveyor to act as the key client interface on a major campus construction program. You will drive cost planning, governance, and stakeholder engagement across multiple projects.

The role requires excellent communication, strong commercial judgment, and the ability to lead cost management efforts independently within a collaborative team. On-site presence is expected at times.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in construction discipline.
• 5–7 years of cost management or quantity surveying experience.
• Experience leading cost management on medium to large projects.
• Construction consultancy experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of cost controls, change management, value management.
• RICS accreditation or progress toward certification preferred.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage cost plans and estimates through design and delivery phases.
• Prepare, present, and maintain the final cost plan aligned with program phasing.
• Review estimates with design teams and general contractors for validation.
• Compile built cost records for benchmarking and forecasting.
• Estimate, negotiate, and reconcile change orders throughout construction.
• Manage post‑contract cost variances, change control, and contingencies.
• Review pricing, validate scope and quantities, and lead negotiations for fair contract values.
• Ensure final accounts are negotiated and agreed in a timely manner.
• Produce monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and funding data presentations.
• Maintain commitment tracking logs and cost impact reporting across workstreams.
• Ensure cost validation with inputs from designers, contractors, and suppliers.
• Coordinate cost information across drawings, specs, schedules, and site data.
• Inform engineering and construction priorities based on cost/value considerations.
• Assist with design optioneering and VE workshops with stakeholders.
• Lead with minimal supervision to resolve cost- and schedule-related challenges.

Skills

Cost management

Quantity surveying

Stakeholder management

Client liaison

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management / related field

Job description

Turner & Townsend in Northern Virginia is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager/Quantity Surveyor to act as the key client interface on a major campus construction program. You will drive cost planning, governance, and stakeholder engagement across multiple projects.

The role requires excellent communication, strong commercial judgment, and the ability to lead cost management efforts independently within a collaborative team. On-site presence is expected at times.