Senior Cost Manager - Healthcare Construction

Turner & Townsend; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is seeking a Senior Cost Manager for healthcare construction projects. You will act as the key day‑to‑day client interface, delivering value‑added cost management services and leading cost controls.

The role requires strong communication, leadership, and the ability to work independently or with teams. The base salary range for this role is $145K-$170K USD, with performance bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering or field related to construction.
• Minimum 6-7 years of relevant experience working in a cost management role in the construction industry.
• Proven experience managing cost controls and stakeholder coordination on large, complex healthcare projects.
• RICS accredited or working towards it is preferred.
• Experience of leading cost management on medium or large sized construction projects of medium to high complexity.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
• Good knowledge of construction industry technical matters, such as different procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.

Responsibilities

• Estimating and negotiating change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
• Provide estimate and cost planning to include producing and presenting the final cost plan.
• Review and participate with the design services team and general contractor in the development of cost estimates.
• Reconcile changes and assist the general contractor to ensure that their data is accurate.
• Communicate or meet with the general contractor and owner or project manager to gather status information to prepare a cost estimate update.
• Prepare written comments to the general contractor’s submissions, including the executive summary.
• Coordinate all sources of cost information for cost discussions and suppliers direct from NPA, subs, quantities from A/Es.
• Inform and drive engineering priorities based on cost impact.
• Work proactively with minimal supervision to resolve scheduling issues.
• Manage cost checks and carry out valuations on larger healthcare projects. Complete timely, accurate cost checking and valuation processes.
• Participate effectively with post-contract cost variances and the change of control processes.
• Manage Cost impact / contingency management and commitment tracking logs.
• Prepare funding data presentations and coordinate VE sessions with stakeholders.
• Develop cost plans, budgets, and estimates through the design phase, delivering updated cost plans at appropriate design milestones.
• Provide commercial input to design optioneering and value engineering exercises, identifying cost-effective solutions while maintaining quality and healthcare compliance requirements.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing and lead negotiations on behalf of the client to drive fair contract prices.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost controls, and change management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support procurement activities, including bid evaluations and contractor selection recommendations.
• Ensure that post-contract cost variances and change control processes are managed effectively.
• Ensure that cost auditing and valuation work is managed effectively and that a robust process for cost validation is in place.
• Carry out the production of monthly cost reports for presentation to the client, including cost status, risks, and areas of concern.
• Assist with the identification and mitigation of financial and contractual risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure that final accounts are negotiated and agreed upon in a timely manner.
• Compile built cost estimate records for benchmarking purposes.
• Ensure cost management activities comply with client requirements, industry standards, and healthcare construction regulations.
• Identify, coach and mentor talent to realize their potential and celebrate the success of others.
• Display excellence in leadership and service delivery on commissions in line with the conditions of appointment.
• Financial Management - Utilize internal software to track ongoing margin levels and monthly fee/resource forecasts for each commission and financial reports.
• Implement and maintain the use of internal Business Management Systems and company delivery methodologies and tools in the office to ensure consistent delivery of best practice for Clients and the company.
• Be a role model that drives a one business culture that achieves great outcomes by striking the right balance for our people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Skills

Communication

Client-facing

Leadership

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor’s degree in construction management or related field

RICS accreditation preferred

6-7 years cost management experience

Job description

Senior Cost Manager - Healthcare Construction

Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries.

Turner & Townsend is looking for an experienced Senior Cost Manager to join our team supporting healthcare projects. In this role, you will act as the key day‑to‑day client interface, ensuring that client objectives are met through the delivery of a value‑added cost management service.

To be successful you must have great communication skills and be comfortable operating in a client‑facing role. The ideal candidate will be self‑motivated, driven, and able to work independently as well as part of a team. You will provide leadership and direction, embedding and promoting the purpose, values, and vision of Turner & Townsend.

Responsibilities

• Estimating and negotiating change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
• Provide estimate and cost planning to include producing and presenting the final cost plan.
• Review and participate with the design services team and general contractor in the development of cost estimates.
• Reconcile changes and assist the general contractor to ensure that their data is accurate.
• Communicate or meet with the general contractor and owner or project manager to gather status information to prepare a cost estimate update.
• Prepare written comments to the general contractor’s submissions, including the executive summary.
• Coordinate all sources of cost information for cost discussions and suppliers direct from NPA, subs, quantities from A/Es.
• Inform and drive engineering priorities based on cost impact.
• Work proactively with minimal supervision to resolve scheduling issues.
• Manage cost checks and carry out valuations on larger healthcare projects. Complete timely, accurate cost checking and valuation processes.
• Participate effectively with post-contract cost variances and the change of control processes.
• Manage Cost impact / contingency management and commitment tracking logs.
• Prepare funding data presentations and coordinate VE sessions with stakeholders.
• Develop cost plans, budgets, and estimates through the design phase, delivering updated cost plans at appropriate design milestones.
• Provide commercial input to design optioneering and value engineering exercises, identifying cost-effective solutions while maintaining quality and healthcare compliance requirements.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing and lead negotiations on behalf of the client to drive fair contract prices.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost controls, and change management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support procurement activities, including bid evaluations and contractor selection recommendations.
• Ensure that post-contract cost variances and change control processes are managed effectively.
• Ensure that cost auditing and valuation work is managed effectively and that a robust process for cost validation is in place.
• Carry out the production of monthly cost reports for presentation to the client, including cost status, risks, and areas of concern.
• Assist with the identification and mitigation of financial and contractual risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure that final accounts are negotiated and agreed upon in a timely manner.
• Compile built cost estimate records for benchmarking purposes.
• Ensure cost management activities comply with client requirements, industry standards, and healthcare construction regulations.
• Identify, coach and mentor talent to realize their potential and celebrate the success of others.
• Display excellence in leadership and service delivery on commissions in line with the conditions of appointment.
• Financial Management - Utilize internal software to track ongoing margin levels and monthly fee/resource forecasts for each commission and financial reports.
• Implement and maintain the use of internal Business Management Systems and company delivery methodologies and tools in the office to ensure consistent delivery of best practice for Clients and the company.
• Be a role model that drives a one business culture that achieves great outcomes by striking the right balance for our people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering or field related to construction.
• Minimum 6-7 years of relevant experience working in a cost management role in the construction industry.
• Proven experience managing cost controls and stakeholder coordination on large, complex healthcare projects.
• RICS accredited or working towards it is preferred.
• Experience of leading cost management on medium or large sized construction projects of medium to high complexity.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
• Good knowledge of construction industry technical matters, such as different procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.

*On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client’s needs

The base salary range for this role is $145K-$170K USD. Final compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package.

We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change. We support a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.

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.