Senior Cost Manager - MEP
Turner & TownsendJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
Turner & Townsend is seeking a Senior Cost Manager - MEP in Abu Dhabi to lead MEP cost management on projects from feasibility to post contract delivery. The role requires chartered status with RICS or equivalent and 8+ years in cost management. It includes cost planning, tendering and procurement, cost benchmarking, post contract cost reporting. You will manage pre contract work and post contract cost checks, monitor contractor performance, mentor junior team members, and interface with clients and consultants onsite. To apply, tailor your CV to highlight cost savings, leadership and stakeholder management, software proficiency, and your ability to deliver under tight deadlines in a fast paced environment.
Company Description
Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries.
Working with our clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, we transform together delivering outcomes that improve people’s lives. Working in partnership makes it possible to deliver the world’s most impactful projects and programmes as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success.
Our capabilities include programme, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions.
We are majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with our partners holding a significant minority interest. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide clients with the premier programme, project and cost management offering in markets around the world.
Please visit our website: www.turnerandtownsend.com
Job Description
We are seeking an experienced and analytically-minded Senior Cost Manager - MEP to join our dynamic team in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In this pivotal role, you will lead Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) cost management initiatives on complex real estate projects, working collaboratively with internal teams and external clients to deliver exceptional value. You will take ownership of MEP-specific cost deliverables throughout the entire project lifecycle—from pre-contract feasibility through post-contract delivery—whether as part of larger integrated real estate developments or leading dedicated MEP commissions. This is an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is committed to driving cost efficiency and project success.
Pre-Contract Responsibilities:
- Lead commission management activities, including feasibility studies, procurement reports, and comprehensive cost planning documentation; develop detailed cost estimates and value assessments to support project viability and investment decisions
- Manage tendering and procurement processes, including pre-qualification stages, whilst negotiating and finalizing accounts with contractors; conduct cost benchmarking and market analysis specific to MEP systems to inform procurement strategies
Post-Contract Responsibilities:
- Conduct detailed cost checks, valuations, and monthly post-contract cost reporting throughout all project phases; manage cost variances and implement effective change control processes to maintain budget integrity
- Monitor contractor performance and supply chain delivery against agreed cost and programme parameters; collaborate on value engineering initiatives to identify cost optimization opportunities without compromising quality or timelines
General Responsibilities:
- Interface professionally with clients and consulting teams at all project stages, fostering collaborative relationships and demonstrating transparency and accountability; lead and mentor junior cost management team members, supporting their technical development
Qualifications
- Chartered professional status (RICS or equivalent recognized qualification)
- Minimum 8+ years of progressive cost management experience, with substantial focus on MEP projects
- Demonstrated expertise in MEP systems, supply chain management, and contractor interface coordination
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects and clients simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail
- Strong proficiency in cost planning, estimating, tendering, and procurement processes
- Excellent stakeholder management and client-facing communication skills
- Advanced proficiency with cost management software and Microsoft Office suite
- Ability to work autonomously, take initiative, and deliver results under tight deadlines
- Highly organized with strong prioritization and time management capabilities
- Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to delegate effectively and develop team members
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate complex cost scenarios
- Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution abilities
- Ability to work effectively under pressure while maintaining composure and resilience
- Confident, professional demeanor with a collaborative and inclusive approach to teamwork
- Risk management awareness and proactive approach to identifying and mitigating cost-related challenges
Additional Information
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It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time.
Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted through our website or to Turner & Townsend personal e-mail accounts, are considered property of Turner & Townsend and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorised Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Turner & Townsend, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by the Recruitment Team, to submit candidates for review.
Join our social media conversations for more information about Turner & Townsend and our exciting future projects:
It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time.
Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted through our website or to Turner & Townsend personal e-mail accounts, are considered property of Turner & Townsend and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorised Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Turner & Townsend, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by the Recruitment Team, to submit candidates for review.