Senior Cost Manager — Pharma & Life Sciences Construction

Turner & Townsend; Wilson (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to act as a key day-to-day client interface for a major pharmaceutical and consumer health manufacturing expansion program in the United States. You will deliver cost management services across the full project lifecycle, from planning through construction and closeout.

The role emphasizes leadership, independent work ethic, and collaboration with design teams, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure value and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5-7 years of cost management experience in the construction industry.
• RICS accreditation preferred or actively pursued.
• Experience leading cost management services on medium to large-scale projects of moderate to high complexity.
• Experience on industrial, pharmaceutical, life sciences, manufacturing or consumer products capital projects is highly preferred.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of 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, multidisciplinary team environment.

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 communication

Leadership

Cost management

Negotiation

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or related field

Job description

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to act as a key day-to-day client interface for a major pharmaceutical and consumer health manufacturing expansion program in the United States. You will deliver cost management services across the full project lifecycle, from planning through construction and closeout.

The role emphasizes leadership, independent work ethic, and collaboration with design teams, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure value and