Senior Cost Manager – Quantity Surveyor, Edu & Gov Construction

Turner & Townsend

. Serve as the key day-to-day client interface for complex education and government capital projects .

Posted 10/23/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesSenior💰 $150,000 - $185,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in cost management for complex construction projects, including estimating, negotiating, and managing change orders. Proficient in delivering value-added services while ensuring compliance with budget governance and stakeholder requirements.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Cost ManagementQuantity SurveyingChange ManagementConstruction Consultancy ExperienceRICS Accreditation

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Cost EstimationCost AuditingCost ValidationCost ControlsValue EngineeringFinancial ReportingChange Order NegotiationProject Cost AnalysisBudget GovernanceProcurement Knowledge

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationLeadershipCollaborationProactive Work EthicMentoring

Tools & Technologies

Internal Business Management SystemsCost Management Software

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Construction ManagementRICS Accreditation or Working Towards It

Industry Keywords

Construction IndustryPublic Sector ProjectsCivic InfrastructureInstitutional ProjectsStakeholder Management

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as the key day-to-day client interface for complex education and government capital projects
Deliver value-added cost management services and achieve client objectives
Estimate and negotiate change orders throughout the construction lifecycle
Produce and present final cost plans and updated cost plans at design milestones
Review and participate in cost estimate development with design teams and general contractors
Reconcile changes and verify contractor cost data
Gather project status information and prepare cost estimate updates
Prepare written comments and executive summaries for contractor submissions
Coordinate cost information from NPA, subcontractors, suppliers, architects, and engineers
Inform engineering priorities based on cost impact
Manage cost checks, valuations, cost auditing, and cost validation processes
Manage post-contract cost variances, change control, contingencies, commitments, and tracking logs
Prepare funding data presentations and coordinate value engineering sessions
Provide commercial input to design optioneering and value engineering
Review contractor and subcontractor pricing and lead client-side negotiations
Perform quantity surveying, cost controls, and change management throughout the project lifecycle
Produce monthly cost reports for client presentation
Negotiate and agree final accounts
Compile built-cost estimate records for benchmarking
Coach and mentor talent
Ensure leadership and service delivery comply with appointment conditions
Track commission margins, fees, resource forecasts, and financial reports using internal software
Maintain internal business management systems, delivery methodologies, and tools
Promote Turner & Townsend’s one-business culture and values

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a construction-related field
Minimum 5–7 years of relevant experience in a cost management role in the construction industry
RICS accredited or working towards it preferred
Experience leading cost management on medium or large, medium- to high-complexity construction projects
Construction consultancy experience strongly preferred
Good knowledge of construction industry technical matters, including procurement routes, value management, and value engineering
Excellent communication skills
Experience delivering cost management services on education, civic, public sector, institutional, government, or large-scale community infrastructure projects
Strong understanding of project costs from planning and programming through design, procurement, construction, and closeout
Public sector client, funding requirement, budget governance, and stakeholder-driven decision-making experience highly preferred
Ability to work independently and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams
Ability to work proactively with minimal supervision
Willingness to comply with applicable SOX control responsibilities

Benefits

Comp & perks

Bonuses may be available
Comprehensive benefits package
Healthy, productive, and flexible working environment
Work-life balance support
Equal opportunity and inclusive workplace
Confidential handling of applicant information