Strategic Cost Leader for Life Sciences Construction

Turner & Townsend; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to serve as a key day-to-day client interface, ensuring client objectives are achieved through the delivery of high‑quality cost management services.

This role will support the delivery of major capital construction projects, including large-scale manufacturing and advanced technology facilities, from planning and design through construction and closeout.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related construction field.
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience within the construction industry.
• RICS accredited or working toward accreditation preferred.
• Experience leading cost management on medium to large construction projects of moderate to high complexity.
• Experience supporting large-scale manufacturing, life sciences, technology, industrial, or commercial construction projects is preferred.
• Strong understanding of procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a client-facing environment while managing multiple priorities and project stakeholders.

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 change control processes.
• Manage cost impact, contingency management, and commitment tracking logs.
• Prepare funding data presentations and coordinate value engineering sessions with stakeholders.
• Develop cost plans and estimates through the design phase, delivering updated cost plans at appropriate design milestones.
• Provide commercial input to design optioneering and value engineering exercises.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing and lead negotiations on behalf of the client to achieve fair and competitive contract pricing.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost controls, and change management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure that post-contract cost variances and change control processes are managed effectively.
• Ensure that cost auditing and valuation work is managed effectively and that a robust process for cost validation is in place.
• Carry out the production of monthly cost reports for presentation to the client.
• Ensure that final accounts are negotiated and agreed upon in a timely manner.
• Compile 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 in line with the conditions of appointment.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role and are to be adhered to where applicable.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related construction field.

7 years of relevant experience in construction

Job description

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to serve as a key day-to-day client interface, ensuring client objectives are achieved through the delivery of high‑quality cost management services.

This role will support the delivery of major capital construction projects, including large-scale manufacturing and advanced technology facilities, from planning and design through construction and closeout.