Lead Cost Manager

Role Overview

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the cost management team and act as the primary client contact.
• Develop cost planning, estimating, cost control, quantity surveying, change control, and contract administration strategies.
• Monitor budgets and financial performance and prepare forecasts, margin reports, and cost analyses.
• Coordinate with contractors, owner representatives, and external stakeholders.
• Develop strategic plans, risk mitigation strategies, business management systems, and performance indicators.
• Advise on contracting, procurement strategy, and capital planning.
• Support business development, proposals, fee submissions, and RFP responses.
• Maintain compliance with internal controls, audit requirements, and applicable SOX responsibilities.

Experience and Qualifications

• At least 10 years of progressive cost consultancy and quantity surveying experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.
• MRICS qualification or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Substantial UAE or GCC experience on complex and high-value capital projects.
• Expertise in pre-contract and post-contract cost management across the project lifecycle.

Technical Capabilities

• Cost planning, estimating, benchmarking, and value engineering.
• Procurement and tendering strategy, cost reporting, and commercial management.
• Variation and change management, claims, and final account negotiations.
• Financial management, budget forecasting, margin analysis, risk management, and contingency planning.
• Business management systems, project controls methodologies, and delivery frameworks.
• Proposal preparation, fee submissions, RFP responses, and business development.

Leadership and Personal Attributes

• Leadership and people-management skills with the ability to coach, delegate, and support professional development.
• Strong client-facing, presentation, written, verbal communication, and influencing skills.
• Proactive, accountable, client-focused, adaptable, and commercially sound approach.
• Ability to manage challenging stakeholders, multiple priorities, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Strategic thinking, problem-solving ability, resilience, and commitment to inclusive leadership.

About Turner & Townsend