Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Industrial / Manufacturing Construction

Turnertownsend; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend in Charlotte is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to support industrial and manufacturing projects across the Southeast. You will lead cost planning, estimating, and commercial controls from planning through closeout, interfacing with clients and project teams.

The ideal candidate has 5–7 years in cost management, is client‑facing, and can lead cost studies, value engineering, and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, quantity surveying, engineering, cost management, or related field.
• Minimum 5–7 years of relevant experience in cost management, quantity surveying, estimating, or commercial management.
• Experience supporting industrial, manufacturing, or similar capital construction projects.
• RICS accreditation or progress toward accreditation preferred.
• Strong client-facing communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Estimating and negotiating change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
• Provide estimating, cost planning, and commercial management services for industrial and manufacturing projects.
• Produce and present cost plans throughout design and construction.
• Review and participate with design consultants, contractors, and project teams in the development of cost estimates.
• Reconcile scope and pricing changes and ensure contractor cost data is accurate and aligned with project requirements.
• Meet regularly with clients, contractors, and project stakeholders to prepare cost estimate updates and cost forecasts.
• Prepare written reviews of contractor submissions, including executive summaries and recommendations.

Skills

Cost management

Quantity surveying

Estimating

Commercial management

Client-facing communication

Leadership

Education

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

Job description

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to support the delivery of industrial and manufacturing construction projects throughout the Charlotte region and broader Southeast market. Acting as a key client interface, you will provide cost planning, quantity surveying, commercial management, estimating, and financial controls across major capital projects from planning through closeout.

The successful candidate will support projects including advanced manufacturing facilities, industrial plants, distribution centers, production facilities, and facility expansions. The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator who thrives in a client-facing environment, is self-motivated, and able to work both independently and collaboratively while delivering best-in-class cost management services and helping promote the purpose, values, and vision of Turner & Townsend.

Responsibilities:

• Estimating and negotiating change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
• Provide estimating, cost planning, and commercial management services for industrial and manufacturing projects.
• Produce and present cost plans throughout design and construction.
• Review and participate with design consultants, contractors, and project teams in the development of cost estimates.
• Reconcile scope and pricing changes and ensure contractor cost data is accurate and aligned with project requirements.
• Meet regularly with clients, contractors, and project stakeholders to prepare cost estimate updates and cost forecasts.
• Prepare written reviews of contractor submissions, including executive summaries and recommendations.
• Coordinate all sources of cost information including contractor pricing, subcontractor bids, material pricing, and consultant quantity information.
• Support procurement and bid evaluation processes for construction packages and major equipment procurements.
• Inform and drive engineering and design decisions based on cost impacts and value considerations.
• Manage cost checks and perform valuations on large and complex projects.
• Participate in post-contract cost control, forecasting, and change management processes.
• Manage cost impact assessments, contingency management, and commitment tracking logs.
• Prepare funding presentations and facilitate value engineering workshops with project stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain cost plans through all phases of design and construction.
• Provide commercial input into design optioneering and value engineering exercises.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing and negotiate fair and competitive contract values on behalf of clients.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost control, and change management activities throughout project delivery.
• Ensure robust cost validation, auditing, and governance processes are maintained.
• Produce monthly cost reports and executive-level presentations for client review.
• Ensure final accounts are negotiated and agreed in a timely manner.
• Compile historical cost data and benchmarking information for future projects.
• Support the delivery of multiple industrial and manufacturing projects simultaneously while maintaining consistency in reporting and commercial controls.
• Identify, coach, and mentor team members to support professional growth and development.
• Display excellence in leadership and service delivery in accordance with project and client requirements.
• Utilize internal software to manage project financial performance, fee forecasting, and resource planning.
• Implement and maintain Turner & Townsend delivery methodologies, systems, and best practices.
• Be a role model who promotes a one-business culture that delivers positive outcomes for clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role and must be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Cost Management, or a related construction discipline.
• Minimum 5-7 years of relevant experience in cost management, quantity surveying, estimating, or commercial management within the construction industry.
• Experience supporting industrial, manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, automotive, logistics, distribution, food & beverage, life sciences manufacturing, or similar capital construction projects.
• Experience leading cost management services on medium to large-scale projects of moderate to high complexity.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
• RICS accreditation or progress toward accreditation is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of construction estimating, procurement strategies, value engineering, and commercial management practices.
• Experience reviewing contractor pricing, negotiating change orders, and managing project forecasting and reporting.
• Experience supporting equipment-intensive projects, utility infrastructure, facility expansions, or manufacturing process installations is preferred.
• Excellent client-facing communication, stakeholder management, and p