About the Role
Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Estimator/Cost Manager to serve as the primary client interface on large, mission-critical construction programs. This role ensures client objectives are met by delivering disciplined, value-added commercial and cost management services for complex, schedule-driven projects. The ideal candidate is client-facing, organized, and capable of independent work while collaborating within integrated teams. Responsibilities include providing commercial leadership during design and construction for complex campus-scale facilities with significant infrastructure, MEP, and EV charging systems. The role promotes Turner & Townsend's values and best-practice commercial governance throughout the project lifecycle.
Responsibilities
- Act as the primary day-to-day commercial interface with the client during design and construction.
- Provide cost planning, estimating, and forecasting services, including producing and presenting cost plans at key design and construction milestones.
- Establish and maintain robust cost control, change management, and commercial governance processes.
- Estimate, review, negotiate, and manage change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
- Review contractor and subcontractor pricing for accuracy, entitlement, and value for money, leading negotiations on behalf of the client where required.
- Manage contingency, commitment tracking, cost-to-complete forecasting, and cost variance analysis.
- Perform post-contract quantity surveying, cost control, valuations, and payment certification.
- Carry out accurate interim valuations, cost checks, and commercial audits on medium to large construction projects.
- Review and provide written commentary on contractor submissions, including executive summaries.
- Administer cost and commercial aspects of contracts, supporting correct application of contractual mechanisms.
- Ensure final accounts are negotiated, agreed, and closed out in a timely and defensible manner.
- Compile built-cost data and benchmarking records to support future phases and portfolio planning.
- Collaborate with owners, project managers, design teams, and contractors to support cost development and design progression.
- Inform and influence engineering and design priorities by assessing and communicating cost, risk, and schedule impacts.
- Coordinate all sources of cost data, including GC submissions, subcontractor pricing, supplier inputs, direct procurement, and quantities from A/Es.
- Participate in value engineering and design optioneering exercises, supporting cost optimization without compromising performance or schedule.
- Prepare funding data, executive cost presentations, and reporting materials for stakeholder review.
- Support commercial management of infrastructure-intensive and operationally critical systems, including electrical distribution, utility upgrades, MEP-heavy building systems, site works, civil packages, phased construction, and EV charging/fleet-support infrastructure.
- Manage cost and change implications associated with phased delivery, fast-track construction, and evolving operational requirements.
- Produce accurate monthly cost reports, forecasts, and commercial dashboards for client presentation.
- Utilize internal systems to manage commission financial performance, margins, and resource forecasting.
- Implement and maintain Turner & Townsend Business Management Systems and delivery methodologies.
- Identify, coach, and mentor junior staff, supporting professional development and technical excellence.
- Act as a role model for collaboration, integrity, and consistent service delivery.
- Adhere to SOX control responsibilities where applicable.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related construction discipline.
- 5–7+ years of relevant experience in a cost management or quantity surveying role within the construction industry.
- Proven experience delivering cost management services on medium to large, complex construction projects, ideally within mission-critical, industrial, infrastructure, or campus-scale environments.
- Background in construction consultancy or client-side cost management strongly preferred.
- Strong knowledge of construction contracts, procurement routes, valuations, change control, and final account processes.
- Experience supporting MEP-intensive works, infrastructure packages, and utility-driven construction scope.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with confidence engaging senior stakeholders.
Skills
- Cost planning
- Estimating
- Forecasting
- Cost control
- Change management
- Commercial governance
- Negotiation
- Quantity surveying
- Valuations
- Payment certification
- Commercial audits
- Contract administration
- Final account negotiation
- Data analysis
- Benchmarking
- Value engineering
- Risk assessment
- Reporting
- Client relations
- Team collaboration
- Mentoring
Location
- Remote
- SF Bay Area (preferred for local engagement)
Work Type
- Remote
- Full-time
Experience Level
- Senior
- 5-7+ years
Education Level
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related construction discipline.
- RICS accreditation or progress toward chartership preferred.
Salary/Compensations
- $140K-$165K
Benefits
- Bonuses
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Healthy, productive and flexible working environment
- Respects work-life balance
About the Company
- Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries.
- Works with clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources.
- Transforms and delivers outcomes that improve people’s lives.
- Partnerships enable delivery of impactful projects and programs.
- Capabilities include program, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions.
- Majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc.
- Works with CBRE to provide premier program, project and cost management offering globally.
Equal Opportunity
- Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer.
- Celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
- Actively encourages applications from all sectors of the community.
- All information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
