Senior Cost Manager & Quantity Surveyor — Industrial Construction

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Elizabethtown (KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is seeking a Senior Cost Manager to lead cost management on a major manufacturing construction program. This client-facing role covers estimating, cost planning, forecasting, change management, and commercial controls across the project lifecycle.

Ideal candidates will have 5–7 years in cost management within industrial, manufacturing, or complex construction settings. On-site presence is required, with opportunities to drive value through cost optimization and robust reporting.

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 leading cost management on medium or large-sized industrial, manufacturing, automotive, or other complex construction projects.

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 or 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.

Skills

Estimating

Cost management

Quantity surveying

Negotiation

Leadership

Project controls

Cost planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in construction management

RICS accredited or working towards it

Job description

Turner & Townsend is seeking a Senior Cost Manager to lead cost management on a major manufacturing construction program. This client-facing role covers estimating, cost planning, forecasting, change management, and commercial controls across the project lifecycle.

Ideal candidates will have 5–7 years in cost management within industrial, manufacturing, or complex construction settings. On-site presence is required, with opportunities to drive value through cost optimization and robust reporting.