Senior Construction Cost Manager - Benchmarking Lead

About the role

Turner & Townsend are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager to act as the key day-to-day client interface, ensuring client objectives are met through the delivery of a value-added cost management service. In this role, you will serve as a senior commercial authority across large-scale infrastructure or real estate portfolios, combining hands-on project delivery with leadership of internal benchmarking and cost intelligence initiatives. You will orchestrate remote delivery teams, leveraging global program data to establish cost baselines, mitigate risk, and inform strategic decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary client interface, delivering clear, executive-level cost reporting, variance analysis, and strategic commercial guidance.
• Lead cost planning, estimating, and financial governance across the full project lifecycle, including preparing and presenting detailed cost plans, forecasts, and cash flow projections.
• Oversee project cost control processes, including managing change orders, valuations, contractor applications, and final account negotiations with a defensible, auditable approach.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing, lead commercial negotiations, and ensure accuracy and alignment of project cost data.
• Participate in design development, providing commercial input into design optioneering, value engineering, and engineering prioritization based on cost impact.
• Cook up and consolidate cost information from multiple sources, including contractors, consultants, and suppliers, to support informed decision-making.
• Manage post-contract cost variances, change control processes, and contingency tracking to ensure effective project delivery.
• Prepare monthly cost reports, funding updates, and executive summaries for client presentation.
• Lead and contribute to the development of Turner & Townsend’s internal benchmarking strategy, including compiling built cost data and establishing consistent cost baselines across programs.
• Track market trends (labor, materials, and economic conditions) and apply insights to forecasting and risk mitigation.
• Drive the use of digital cost management and benchmarking tools to standardize data, improve reporting, and enhance delivery efficiency.
• Oversee remote delivery teams, ensuring consistent execution of best practices, governance standards, and company methodologies.
• Mentor and support junior team members, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of internal business management systems and delivery frameworks.
• Support financial management activities, including fee tracking, resource forecasting, and margin reporting.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Cost Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in cost management or quantity surveying, ideally within a consultancy or large capital program environment.
• Proven experience delivering cost management services on medium to large, complex construction projects.
• Demonstrated ability to develop cost models, analyze project data, and contribute to benchmarking or cost intelligence initiatives.
• Experience leading or coordinating remote or distributed project teams is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of construction industry practices, including procurement routes, value engineering, and commercial management.
• Proficiency with digital cost management tools (e.g., CostX or similar platforms).
• RICS accreditation (or working toward it) or equivalent professional certification is preferred.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.

Additional Information

The salary range for this role is $140,000-$170,000 (depending on location). This range reflects the company's good faith estimate of the base salary for this position at the time of the posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package.

*On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's needs.

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.

We want our people to succeed both in 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 and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com/ and https://www.heery.com/.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Join our social media conversations for more information about Turner & Townsend and our exciting future projects: