Cost Manager - Pre Contract

We're looking for a detail-oriented and analytical Cost Manager - Pre Contract to join our growing infrastructure team in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In this role, you will be instrumental in managing project costs during the pre-contract phase for large-scale infrastructure projects, ensuring that all projects are delivered within scope, on budget, and aligned with client expectations.

About Turner & Townsend

• Join our social media conversations for more information about Turner & Townsend and our exciting future projects: Twitter Instagram LinkedIn
• 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.
• www.turnerandtownsend.com

Responsibilities

• You will work collaboratively with clients, stakeholders, and internal teams to develop comprehensive cost strategies tailored to infrastructure complexities and provide transparent, data-driven recommendations that drive project success.
• Manage pre-contract cost management responsibilities for infrastructure projects, including cost planning, estimating, budget development, and tender documentation using industry-standard methods of measurement
• Conduct thorough cost analysis and risk assessments for infrastructure-specific elements, including
• Preliminaries, Overheads, material costs, and site-specific requirements; develop appropriate contingency budgets to mitigate project uncertainties
• Provide cost-effective solutions and value engineering recommendations to optimize infrastructure project budgets without compromising quality or compliance standards
• Prepare clear, comprehensive reports on infrastructure project costs, highlighting deviations from budget and recommending corrective actions; collaborate with clients, engineers, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure transparent communication throughout the pre-contract phase
• Utilize cost planning software and measurement tools (such as CostX) to enhance accuracy and efficiency in infrastructure cost modeling
• Analyze local cost benchmarks, market conditions, and infrastructure-specific cost drivers to inform cost strategies and ensure compliance with industry standards, client requirements, and regulatory guidelines

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related field

Professional accreditation (MRICS, AIQS, or equivalent) preferred

• 5–10 years in cost management with focus on pre-contract activities
• Proven track record managing project costs independently and collaboratively Client-facing experience with demonstrated stakeholder coordination abilities
• Familiarity with local cost benchmarks and market conditions in the UAE or similar regions
• Proficiency in cost planning, estimating, and tender documentation

Strong knowledge of methods of measurement

• Competency with cost measurement software (CostX or similar) Ability to analyse and present cost data, strategies, and reports to clients and senior stakeholders
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with meticulous attention to detail Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams
• Transparent and collaborative working style with a goal-oriented mindset

Understanding of value engineering principles, risk assessment, and contingency budget management

Join our social media conversations for more information about Turner & Townsend and our exciting future projects: Twitter Instagram LinkedIn 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.