Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Construction

Turner & Townsend; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is hiring a Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor in San Francisco to lead cost management for complex construction projects. You will act as the client interface, deliver cost plans, and drive value through cost controls and rigorous change management.

The role requires 5–7 years in cost management within construction, strong communication, and SOX awareness. On-site presence is expected, with a base salary range of $140K–$170K USD and potential bonuses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management or related field.
• Minimum 5–7 years in a cost management role in construction.
• RICS accreditation or active path is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Estimate and negotiate change orders across the construction lifecycle.
• Prepare and present final cost plans and budgets.
• Lead cost planning, bid review, and procurement strategy.
• Monitor costs, manage financial risks, and maintain budget adherence.
• Provide value engineering input and commercial leadership on projects.

Skills

Cost management

Quantity surveying

Client liaison

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in construction management

Job description

Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Construction

• Full-time

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

Working with our clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, we transform together delivering outcomes that improve people’s lives. Working in partnership makes it possible to deliver the world’s most impactful projects and programmes as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success.

Our capabilities include programme, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions.

We are majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with our partners holding a significant minority interest. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide clients with the premier programme, project and cost management offering in markets around the world.

Turner & Townsend are looking for an experienced Senior Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to 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 in this role 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. In this significant position, you will be responsible for providing 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 of 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 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.
• Developing cost plans and estimates through the design phase, delivering updated cost plans at appropriate design milestones.
• Providing commercial input to design optioneering and input into value engineering exercises.
• Reviewing contractor and subcontractor pricing and leading negotiations on behalf of the client to drive fair contract prices.
• Performing quantity surveying, cost controls, and change management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensuring that post-contract cost variances and change control processes are managed effectively.
• Ensuring that cost auditing and valuation work is managed effectively and that a robust process for cost validation is in place.
• Carrying out the production of monthly cost reports for presentation to the client.
• Ensuring that final accounts are negotiated and agreed upon in a timely manner.
• Compiling built cost estimate records for benchmarking purposes.
• Identify, coach and mentor talent to realize their potential and celebrate the success of others.
• Display excellence in leadership and service delivery on commissions is 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.

Additional Program requirements

• Develop and maintain parametric and hybrid cost models to enable rapid estimating, benchmarking, and scenario analysis.
• Prepare detailed cost estimates and budgets across workplace construction projects, including new builds, remodels, and tenant improvements.
• Lead cost planning efforts, including bid review, procurement strategy, and cost analysis reporting.
• Monitor project costs, manage financial risks, and maintain budget adherence throughout the project lifecycle.
• Leverage historical data, market intelligence, and industry trends to enhance accuracy and scalability of cost outputs.
• Align cost plans with project schedules to manage cash flow, accruals, and forecasting.
• Ensure compliance with client financial policies, contract requirements, and SOX controls where applicable.
• Maintain financial documentation, manage change orders, and provide clear reporting on cost status and risks.
• Support the development of AI-enabled cost modeling tools, including automated estimating and scenario analysis.
• Contribute to scalable cost intelligence platforms integrating design, asset, and market data.
• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, standardization, and data-driven delivery.
• Collaborate with technical teams to translate cost management workflows into digital solutions.
• Partner with clients and project teams to align scope, cost, and delivery strategy.
• Provide value engineering and data-driven recommendations to support decision‑making.
• Communicate complex cost and risk insights to senior stakeholders with clarity and influence.
• Contribute to enterprise cost strategies, capital planning, and long‑range forecasting.
• Mentor team members and drive continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering or field related to construction.
• Minimum 5-7 years of relevant experience working in a cost management role in the construction industry.
• 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 $140K-$170K USD. This range reflects the company's good faith estimate of the base salary for this position at the time of the posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package.

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.

We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this, we promote 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.

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