Senior Cost Manager - Life Sciences Construction

Turnertownsend; Wilson (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager/Quantity Surveyor to act as a key client interface on a major pharma manufacturing expansion. You will deliver cost management across planning, design, construction and closeout, leading cost checks and variance control while collaborating with design teams and contractors.

The role emphasizes leadership, proactive cost data integrity, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced project environment with strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related construction field.
• Minimum 5–7 years of relevant cost management experience in construction.
• RICS accreditation (or actively working toward).
• Experience leading cost management for medium to large-scale projects of moderate to high complexity.
• Experience leading cost management on industrial/pharma/manufacturing/capital projects is strongly preferred.
• Excellent client-facing communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Estimating and negotiating change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
• Provide estimate and cost planning services, including producing and presenting final cost plans.
• 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 cost data is accurate.
• Communicate and meet with the general contractor, owner, and project manager to gather status information and prepare cost estimate updates.
• Prepare written comments on contractor submissions, including executive summaries.
• Coordinate all sources of cost information for cost discussions, including suppliers, subcontractors, NPA data, quantities, and A/E information.
• Inform and drive engineering priorities based on cost impacts.
• Work proactively with minimal supervision to resolve project and scheduling issues.
• Manage cost checks and carry out valuations on larger projects while ensuring timely and accurate cost validation.
• Participate effectively in post-contract cost variance management and change control processes.
• Manage cost impact assessments, contingency management, and commitment tracking logs.
• Prepare funding presentations and coordinate value engineering sessions with stakeholders.
• Develop cost plans and estimates throughout the design phase, providing updates at key design milestones.
• Provide commercial input into design optioneering and value engineering exercises.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing and lead negotiations on behalf of the client to secure fair and competitive contract pricing.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost controls, and change management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure post-contract cost variances and change control processes are managed effectively.
• Ensure robust cost auditing, valuation, and validation processes are maintained.
• Produce and present monthly cost reports to the client.
• Negotiate and finalize project accounts in a timely manner.
• Compile and maintain built-cost benchmarking data.
• Identify, coach, and mentor talent while celebrating the success of others.
• Demonstrate excellence in leadership and service delivery in line with project and client expectations.
• Utilize internal systems to manage commission financial performance, including fee forecasts, resource forecasting, and reporting.
• Implement and maintain Turner & Townsend business management systems, methodologies, and tools to ensure consistent delivery for clients.
• Be a role model who promotes a one-business culture that balances positive outcomes for our people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
• SOX control responsibilities may form part of this role and must be adhered to where applicable.

Skills

Client-facing leadership

Cost management

Change management

Negotiation

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or related field

Job description

Turner & Townsend are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to serve as a key day-to-day client interface, ensuring client objectives are achieved through the delivery of value-added cost management services. This role will support a major pharmaceutical and consumer health manufacturing expansion program involving the redevelopment and expansion of a large-scale manufacturing campus. The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering cost management services across the full project lifecycle, from planning and design through construction and closeout. To be successful in this role, you must have excellent communication skills and be comfortable operating in a client-facing environment. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, driven, and capable of working independently while collaborating effectively as part of a team. In this significant position, you will provide leadership and direction while promoting the purpose, values, and vision of Turner & Townsend.

Responsibilities

• Estimating and negotiating change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
• Provide estimate and cost planning services, including producing and presenting final cost plans.
• 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 cost data is accurate.
• Communicate and meet with the general contractor, owner, and project manager to gather status information and prepare cost estimate updates.
• Prepare written comments on contractor submissions, including executive summaries.
• Coordinate all sources of cost information for cost discussions, including suppliers, subcontractors, NPA data, quantities, and A/E information.
• Inform and drive engineering priorities based on cost impacts.
• Work proactively with minimal supervision to resolve project and scheduling issues.
• Manage cost checks and carry out valuations on larger projects while ensuring timely and accurate cost validation.
• Participate effectively in post-contract cost variance management and change control processes.
• Manage cost impact assessments, contingency management, and commitment tracking logs.
• Prepare funding presentations and coordinate value engineering sessions with stakeholders.
• Develop cost plans and estimates throughout the design phase, providing updates at key design milestones.
• Provide commercial input into design optioneering and value engineering exercises.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing and lead negotiations on behalf of the client to secure fair and competitive contract pricing.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost controls, and change management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure post-contract cost variances and change control processes are managed effectively.
• Ensure robust cost auditing, valuation, and validation processes are maintained.
• Produce and present monthly cost reports to the client.
• Negotiate and finalize project accounts in a timely manner.
• Compile and maintain built-cost benchmarking data.
• Identify, coach, and mentor talent while celebrating the success of others.
• Demonstrate excellence in leadership and service delivery in line with project and client expectations.
• Utilize internal systems to manage commission financial performance, including fee forecasts, resource forecasting, and reporting.
• Implement and maintain Turner & Townsend business management systems, methodologies, and tools to ensure consistent delivery for clients.
• Be a role model who promotes a one-business culture that balances positive outcomes for our people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
• SOX control responsibilities may form part of this role and must be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related construction field.
• Minimum 5-7 years of relevant experience in a cost management role within the construction industry.
• RICS accredited or actively working toward accreditation preferred.
• Experience leading cost management services on medium to large-scale construction projects of moderate to high complexity.
• Experience leading cost management services on large-scale industrial, pharmaceutical, life sciences, manufacturing, or consumer products capital projects is strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting greenfield, brownfield, expansion, or facility modernization programs is highly desirable.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of construction industry technical matters, including procurement strategies, value management, and value engineering.
• Demonstrated experience managing project budgets, cost controls, change management, and commercial negotiations.
• Excellent client-facing, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced project environment and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

*On-site pre