Senior Cost Manager - Commercial Real Estate Construction at Turner & Townsend — Philadelphia, PA
Full-timePhiladelphia, PAPosted 2026-08-19Apply on SmartRecruiters
Full job description
Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager to act as the key day-to-day client interface, ensuring project objectives are met through the delivery of value-added cost management services. This role will support a portfolio of complex life sciences, laboratory, research, and commercial construction projects within a large campus environment in Southern Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
To be successful in this role, you must have strong communication skills and be comfortable operating in a client-facing environment. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, driven, and able to work independently as well as part of a team while promoting the purpose, values, and vision of Turner & Townsend.
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 control processes.
- Manage cost impact / contingency management and commitment tracking logs.
- Prepare funding data presentations and coordinate VE 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 drive fair contract pricing.
- Perform quantity surveying, cost controls, and change management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
- Ensure post-contract cost variances and change control processes are managed effectively.
- Ensure cost auditing and valuation work is managed effectively and that a robust process for cost validation is in place.
- Produce monthly cost reports for presentation to the client.
- Ensure 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.
- Financial Management: Utilize internal software to track ongoing margin levels and monthly fee/resource forecasts for each commission and financial reports.
- Implement and maintain internal Business Management Systems and company delivery methodologies and tools to ensure consistent delivery of best practices 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.
- SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.
- Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a 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-scale construction projects of moderate to high complexity.
- Experience supporting life sciences, laboratory, research, healthcare, commercial, or other technically complex construction projects is preferred.
- Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
- Good knowledge of construction industry technical matters, including procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.
- Excellent communication skills.