Cost Commercial Lead - Infrastructure Full-Time

Turner & Townsend; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend in Johannesburg seeks an experienced Cost Commercial Lead to manage cost estimation, commercial controls, and procurement for major transport and utilities projects. The role emphasizes risk mitigation, contract compliance, and Value Engineering, with leadership responsibilities across project teams.

You will drive cost control, support tendering, and ensure financial objectives are met through accurate reporting and stakeholder collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Quantity Surveying or Civil Engineering.
• Professional Quantity Surveyor (PrQS) with SACQSP registration.
• 10+ years in quantity surveying within construction (building, civil, or infrastructure).
• Experience with transport projects is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates and BoQ for construction projects.
• Conduct value engineering to identify cost savings proposals.
• Develop multi-scenario forecasts to support client decision-making.
• Provide accurate cost advice throughout design and construction phases.
• Manage tender processes, including prequalification, tender lists, tender documents and evaluation of bids.
• Negotiate with contractors, subcontractors and suppliers for competitive pricing.
• Draft and review contracts per client standards (FIDIC/NEC/JBCC).
• Monitor cost variances against baselines and ensure budget adherence.

Skills

Cost management

Commercial management

Negotiation

Communication

Leadership

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Quantity Surveying or Civil Engineering

Tools

Dimension X (DIMX)

CostX

WinQS

Microsoft Excel

Job description

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

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

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Cost Commercial Lead to join our dynamic team in Johannesburg. This role will focus on transport and utilities projects, which involve complex engineering and technical requirements, significant capital expenditure over extended periods. The ideal individual should have a strong background in cost management, commercial management, risk mitigation and execution-stage experience across heavy civils and infrastructure projects.

Experience with rail (perway, OHTE, signaling), aviation (runways, aprons, specialized services (AGL, navaids, BHS), ports (hard-standing, quay equipment) will be highly beneficial.

You will play a key role in working with the account lead to ensure accurate cost estimation, financial reporting, process efficiency and contractual compliance throughout the project lifecycle as well as management, growth and development of the project team.

• Prepare detailed cost estimates and Bills of Quantities (BoQ) for construction projects, including specialized systems common in transport projects
• Conduct value engineering exercises to identify cost savings proposals without compromising quality
• Develop multi-scenario forecasts to support client decision-making
• Provide accurate cost advice throughout the design and construction phases
• Manage tender processes, including preparation of prequalification, tender lists, tender documents and evaluation of bids
• Negotiate with contractors, subcontractors and suppliers to ensure competitive pricing and value for money
• Advise on procurement strategies to optimize supplier selection and contract terms

Contract Administration:

• Draft and review contracts in line with client standards, FIDIC, NEC and JBCC standards
• Oversee post-contract cost control: Interim valuations, progress payments, change orders, and final accounts
• Manage contractual claims (e.g., variations, EOTs) with quantum assessments and entitlement reviews
• Monitor cost variances against baselines, implementing corrective actions to maintain budget adherence
• Produce accurate monthly cost reports with variance analysis, cash flows and risk projections.
• Ensure audit-ready documentation for compliance and client audits
• Reconcile as-built costs against estimates, capturing lessons learned for internal knowledge base
• Forecast and maintain accurate Estimated final costs (EFC’s) for the projects
• Manage internal benchmarking and lesson learnt reports across the various projects
• Identify potential cost risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Advise on value engineering opportunities, especially for complex mechanical and electrical systems.
• Work closely with the account lead, client, project managers and project team to ensure financial objectives are met
• Management, growth and development of the internal project team
• Identify cross-selling opportunities and contribute to bids for new commissions and continuous appointment
• Drive process improvements to enhance consultancy efficiency (e.g., standardized templates and processes).
• Manage internal project financials, e.g. project and contract setup, forecasting, invoice generation and issuance to clients

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Quantity Surveying or Civil Engineering

Professional Registration (Mandatory):

• Professional Quantity Surveyor (PrQS) with the SACQSP.

Experience

• Minimum 10+ years in quantity surveying within the construction industry (building, civil, or infrastructure projects).
• Experience with transport projects will be advantageous but is not essential.

Technical Skills:

• Proficient in Dimension X (DIMX), CostX, WinQS, and Microsoft Excel for measurement and cost management.
• Strong understanding of commercial management, construction contracts and procurement processes.

Soft Skills:

• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with the account lead, project team and client.
• Manage multiple projects and teams simultaneously.

Additional Information

Our people share our Purpose and Values. Turner & Townsend provides a great place to work, where everyone can make change happen and influence a better world.

We champion our people to succeed in both work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive, and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

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