Senior Cost Manager – Quantity Surveyor, Life Sciences Construction

Turner & Townsend

. Support successful delivery of complex life sciences construction projects .

Posted 10/6/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in construction cost management, including estimating, negotiating, and managing costs throughout the project lifecycle. Proficient in stakeholder management and delivering value-added services in complex life sciences construction projects.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Construction Cost ManagementQuantity SurveyingCost EstimationStakeholder ManagementRICS Accreditation

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Cost ManagementChange ManagementCost ControlsValue EngineeringCost ReportingNegotiationCost Plan DevelopmentFinancial ReportingProcurement KnowledgeConstruction Project Management

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationIndependent WorkCollaborationCoaching and Mentoring

Tools & Technologies

Internal Business Management Systems

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Construction ManagementRICS Accreditation (Preferred)

Industry Keywords

Life Sciences ConstructionConstruction ConsultancyValue ManagementMedium to High Complexity ProjectsClient Interface

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Support successful delivery of complex life sciences construction projects
Act as the key day-to-day client interface
Deliver value-added cost management services across manufacturing, laboratory, R&D, and related capital projects
Estimate and negotiate change orders throughout the construction lifecycle
Produce and present final cost plans
Review and participate in cost estimate development with design services teams and general contractors
Reconcile changes and verify contractor data accuracy
Gather project status information and prepare cost estimate updates
Prepare written comments and executive summaries for contractor submissions
Coordinate cost information from owners, suppliers, subcontractors, and architects/engineers
Inform engineering priorities based on cost impact
Manage cost checks and valuations on larger projects
Manage post-contract cost variances and change control processes
Manage cost impact, contingency, and commitment tracking logs
Prepare funding data presentations and coordinate value engineering sessions
Develop cost plans and estimates through design milestones
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
Identify, coach, and mentor talent
Track commission margins, monthly fees, resource forecasts, and financial reports using internal software
Implement and maintain internal business management systems and delivery methodologies
Adhere to applicable SOX control responsibilities

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 construction cost management role
RICS accredited or working towards it preferred
Experience leading cost management on medium or large construction projects of medium to high complexity
Construction consultancy experience strongly preferred
Good knowledge of construction industry technical matters, including procurement routes, value management, and value engineering
Excellent communication skills
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary project teams
Client-facing stakeholder management experience

Benefits

Comp & perks

Employees can work remotely
Healthy, productive, and flexible working environment
Work-life balance support
Equal opportunity and inclusive workplace
Opportunity to affect change
Confidential handling of applicant information