Cost Manager – Life Sciences Construction

Turner & Townsend

. Advise clients on procurement strategies and manage vendor prequalification processes .

Posted 9/18/2026full-timeRemote • Raleigh • North Carolina • United StatesMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in cost management, quantity surveying, and estimating for construction projects, with a strong focus on procurement strategies, budget management, and risk assessment. Proficient in utilizing cost estimating software and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure project success.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Cost ManagementQuantity SurveyingConstruction EstimatingRICS AccreditationValue Engineering

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Cost EstimatingBudget ManagementChange Order EvaluationRisk AssessmentProposal AssessmentBid LevelingCost ReportingContract AdministrationCommercial ManagementProject Closeout

Soft Skills

Analytical SkillsOrganizational SkillsCommunication Skills

Tools & Technologies

Cost Estimating SoftwareTakeoff SoftwareBid Analysis ToolsChange Management Documentation

Certifications & Qualifications

RICS Accreditation

Industry Keywords

Construction ManagementProcurement StrategiesValue EngineeringCommercial Risk ManagementLife Sciences ConstructionPharmaceutical ConstructionHealthcare ConstructionAdvanced Manufacturing ConstructionIndustrial ConstructionConstruction Consultancy

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Advise clients on procurement strategies and manage vendor prequalification processes
Assess proposals, bids, and bid leveling documentation; make recommendations; attend bid interviews; and support contract awards
Manage estimating services throughout the project lifecycle
Develop construction estimates, review junior team members’ estimates, present estimates and cost plans to clients, perform benchmark analysis, and provide value engineering recommendations and risk assessments
Meet with contractors, consultants, and vendors to review, validate, and challenge project costs and commercial assumptions
Establish cost reporting schedules; prepare and present cost reports and forecasts; review budgets and spend forecasts; maintain commercial risk registers; and facilitate project cost reviews
Manage cost control processes, including payment application reviews, contractor entitlement assessments, change order evaluations, and commercial recommendations
Support contract administration and dispute avoidance
Manage and monitor project invoicing processes
Benchmark project performance against historical and comparable projects
Manage final account negotiations, post-contract audits, and project closeout activities
Conduct lessons learned reviews and support implementation of best practices
Develop procedures governing project handover and closeout activities
Utilize cost estimating software, takeoff software, bid analysis tools, and change management documentation
Collaborate with project managers, designers, contractors, vendors, and client stakeholders
Adhere to applicable SOX control responsibilities

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Architecture, or a related construction discipline
Minimum 3-5 years of experience in cost management, quantity surveying, estimating, or commercial management within the construction industry
Experience supporting medium to large-scale construction projects
Experience supporting life sciences, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, laboratory, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, industrial, or highly technical construction projects is preferred
RICS accreditation or progress toward accreditation is valued
Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred
Good understanding of construction procurement methods, value engineering, cost planning, and commercial management practices
Experience preparing estimates, managing budgets, reviewing change orders, and producing cost reports throughout the project lifecycle
Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary project teams

Benefits

Comp & perks

Employees can work remotely
Healthy, productive and flexible working environment
Work-life balance support
Equal opportunity and inclusive workplace
Confidential handling of information according to EEO guidelines