Senior Cost Manager & Quantity Surveyor – CRE Projects

Turner & Townsend; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to join our Chicago team and act as a key day-to-day client interface, delivering value-added cost management services. The role supports commercial real estate, data center, mission-critical, and other sectors, with leadership in cost planning and negotiation.

Ideal candidates have 5–7 years in cost management, strong communication, and experience on medium to high complexity projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering or related field.
• 5–7 years of cost management experience in the construction industry.
• RICS accreditation preferred or currently pursued.
• Experience leading cost management on medium to high complexity projects.
• Construction consultancy experience strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Knowledge of 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 data accuracy.
• Prepare funding data presentations and coordinate VE sessions with stakeholders.
• Develop cost plans and estimates through the design phase and update at milestones.
• Review contractor pricing and lead negotiations to drive fair contract prices.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Procurement knowledge

Value engineering know-how

Leadership in cost management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering or related field

RICS accreditation preferred

Job description

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to join our Chicago team and act as a key day-to-day client interface, delivering value-added cost management services. The role supports commercial real estate, data center, mission-critical, and other sectors, with leadership in cost planning and negotiation.

Ideal candidates have 5–7 years in cost management, strong communication, and experience on medium to high complexity projects.