Senior Cost Manager (Cost Control)

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 Senior Cost Manager (Cost Control) to join our project finance team in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In this role, you will be responsible for establishing and maintaining comprehensive cost governance frameworks, managing project budgets, controlling expenditures, and ensuring financial objectives are achieved. You will play a critical role in budget development, cost forecasting, variance analysis, and providing strategic commercial recommendations to senior leadership and clients. The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional analytical capabilities, strong commercial acumen, and a commitment to driving cost discipline and financial transparency across all project phases.

Budget Development & Governance: Establish Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS) aligned with Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and contract pricing schedules. Develop, validate, and maintain baseline budgets, including contingencies, risk allowances, and escalation provisions. Set up budget change control procedures, approval thresholds, and audit trails. Ensure alignment with contract terms and funding approvals. Cost Control & Forecasting: Implement cost control procedures covering commitments, accruals, cost of work performed, and Forecast at Completion (FAC/EAC). Lead monthly Budget versus Actual (BvA) reviews and conduct root-cause variance analysis; drive corrective actions in collaboration with Project Managers. Maintain commitment ledgers for purchase orders and subcontracts, verifying progress and measurements with Quantity Surveyors and Planning teams. Prepare and update cash flow forecasts for both project-to-date and at-completion scenarios. Reporting & Analytics: Produce comprehensive monthly commercial reports including BvA analysis, Final Forecast Cost (FFC), EAC/FAC projections, cash flow curves, earned value metrics (CPI/SPI), risk exposure assessments, and change order impacts. Present financial health to internal leadership and clients, highlighting risks, opportunities, and recommended commercial decisions. Standardise dashboards and key performance indicators (KPIs) for consistency and comparability across reporting periods. Change & Claims Management: Lead commercial evaluation of variations, early warnings, and change orders. Quantify cost and time impacts in coordination with Quantity Surveyors and Planning; maintain change logs and contingency drawdowns. Support claims substantiation and negotiation, coordinating with Legal and Contracts teams. Risk, Compliance & Audit: Maintain the cost risk and opportunity register, translating identified risks into budget and contingency movements. Ensure compliance with governance frameworks, approval protocols, and documentation standards. Support internal and external audit activities and regulatory requirements. Stakeholder Management: Act as the central point of contact for budget and cost performance across Project Management Office (PMO), Finance, Quantity Surveying, Planning, and Client teams. Coach project teams in cost awareness and commercial discipline, fostering a culture of financial accountability and transparency.