Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Construction Management

Turner & Townsend; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is seeking a Senior Cost Manager/Quantity Surveyor for our Atlanta construction practice. The role requires leading cost and commercial management across the project lifecycle, from planning to closeout, in collaboration with design teams and contractors.

The ideal candidate will have 5–7 years of cost management experience in construction, a Bachelor's degree in a related field, and strong client-facing communication. RICS accreditation is preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience in cost management on construction projects.
• Strong ability to estimate, cost plans and change orders.
• Excellent client-facing communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Estimate and negotiate change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
• Produce and present final cost plans and cost information.
• Collaborate with design teams and contractors on cost estimates.
• Reconcile changes and ensure cost data accuracy across trades.
• Prepare cost updates and executive summaries for submissions.
• Coordinate cost information from multiple sources (contractors, suppliers, design teams).
• Drive cost impacts into engineering priorities and project decisions.
• Lead post‑contract cost variance analysis and change control processes.

Skills

Cost control

Budgeting

Negotiation

Scheduling

Client facing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

RICS accreditation (preferred)

Job description

Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Construction Management

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 programs as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success.

Our capabilities include program, 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 program, project and cost management offering in markets around the world.

Turner & Townsend are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to serve as a key client contact, delivering high-quality cost management services that support successful project outcomes.

Based in Atlanta, this role will be assigned to major construction projects within one of Turner & Townsend's key local sectors, including data centers, mission‑critical/high‑tech, commercial, healthcare, and infrastructure. The successful candidate will provide cost and commercial leadership throughout the project lifecycle, from planning and design through construction and closeout.

The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator who thrives in a client‑facing environment, works effectively both independently and within a team, and demonstrates the leadership, professionalism, and values that define Turner & Townsend.

Responsibilities

• Estimating and negotiating change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
• Providing estimate and cost planning services, including producing and presenting final cost plans.
• Reviewing and collaborating with design teams and general contractors in the development of cost estimates.
• Reconciling changes and assisting contractors to ensure cost data accuracy.
• Meeting with contractors, owners, and project managers to gather project status information and prepare cost estimate updates.
• Preparing written reviews and executive summaries for contractor submissions.
• Coordinating cost information from multiple sources, including contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and design teams.
• Informing and driving engineering priorities based on cost impacts.
• Working proactively with minimal supervision to resolve cost and scheduling issues.
• Managing cost checks and carrying out valuations on complex construction projects.
• Supporting post‑contract cost variance analysis and change control processes.
• Managing cost impact assessments, contingency management, and commitment tracking logs.
• Preparing funding presentations and coordinating value engineering sessions with project stakeholders.
• Developing cost plans and estimates throughout the design phase and delivering updates at key project milestones.
• Providing commercial input into design optioneering and value engineering exercises.
• Reviewing contractor and subcontractor pricing and leading negotiations on behalf of clients to achieve fair contract values.
• Performing quantity surveying, cost control, and change management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Managing post‑contract cost variances and change control processes effectively.
• Overseeing cost auditing and valuation activities and maintaining robust cost validation procedures.
• Producing monthly cost reports for client presentation and review.
• Negotiating and finalizing project accounts in a timely manner.
• Compiling completed project cost data for benchmarking and future estimating purposes.
• Identifying, coaching, and mentoring team members to support professional growth and development.
• Demonstrating excellence in leadership and service delivery in accordance with project and client requirements.
• Utilizing internal systems to monitor project financial performance, margin levels, fee forecasts, resource planning, and reporting.
• Implementing and maintaining internal business management systems, delivery methodologies, and best practices.
• Promoting a one‑business culture that achieves positive outcomes for people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role and are to 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 accreditation, or progress toward accreditation, is preferred.
• Experience leading cost management activities on medium to large‑scale construction projects of moderate to high complexity.
• Experience supporting projects within data centers, mission‑critical/high‑tech, commercial, healthcare, infrastructure, or other major capital construction sectors is preferred.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of construction industry technical matters, including procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.
• Excellent communication, client‑facing, and stakeholder management skills.

On‑site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's needs.

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.