Senior Cost Manger - Life Sciences Construction

Job Description

Turner & Townsend are looking for an experienced Senior Cost Manager to act as the key, day‑to‑day client interface, ensuring that client objectives are met through the delivery of a value‑added cost management service.

To be successful you must have great communication skills, be comfortable operating in a client‑facing role, and be self‑motivated, driven, and able to work independently as well as part of a team. In this significant position you will be responsible for providing leadership and direction, embedding, and promoting the purpose, values, and vision of Turner & Townsend.

• Estimating and negotiating change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
• Provide estimate and cost planning, including 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 data accuracy.
• Communicate or meet with the general contractor and owner project manager to gather status information and 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 directly from NPA, subs, and 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, completing 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 prices.
• 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 with a robust process for cost validation.
• Carry out the production of monthly cost reports for presentation to the client.
• Ensure final accounts are negotiated and agreed in a timely manner.
• Compile as‑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 appointment conditions.
• Track ongoing margin levels and month‑by‑month fee/resource forecasts using internal software.
• Implement and maintain internal business‑management systems and company delivery methodologies and tools in the office.
• Become a role model that drives a one‑business culture achieving great outcomes for people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
• Adhere to SOX control responsibilities as required.

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a field related to construction.
• Minimum 5‑7 years of relevant experience in a cost‑management role in the construction industry.
• RICS accreditation or working towards it is preferred.
• Experience leading cost management on medium or large‑sized construction projects of medium to high complexity.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
• Good knowledge of construction industry technical matters, such as procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.
• Excellent communication skills.

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

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