Mechanical Cost Manager - Real Estate Construction

turnertownsend

Houston, Texas, United States · Houston · United States

Posted May 27, 2026

Full-time
Hybrid
Real estate
Mid-Senior Level

Job description

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 programs as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success. Our capabilities include program, 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 program, project and cost management offering in markets around the world. Job Description Turner & Townsend are looking for a Mechanical Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to join our team and support construction cost services for real estate projects in the Houston, Texas area. This role will have a strong focus on mechanical systems (HVAC, plumbing, and associated infrastructure) across commercial and large-scale developments. The ideal candidate will be driven and committed to promoting Turner & Townsend’s purpose and values while delivering high-quality cost management services. Responsibilities: Advise clients on project strategies, manage prequalification of vendors, assess proposals and bid leveling documents for mechanical trades, and lead bid interviews and contractor appointment processes. Manage estimating services across full project lifecycle with a focus on mechanical systems, including developing detailed cost estimates, reviewing junior team outputs, presenting to clients, and providing value engineering recommendations and risk assessments. Engage with mechanical subcontractors and vendors to review, validate, and challenge pricing, leveraging benchmark data and historical cost information. Establish and manage cost reporting processes, including preparing and presenting cost reports and forecasts, maintaining project budgets, and developing commercial risk registers with emphasis on mechanical scope. Lead cost control activities by reviewing payment applications, evaluating contractor entitlements, assessing change orders related to mechanical work, and supporting dispute avoidance and resolution. Manage and monitor the invoicing process to ensure accuracy and alignment with project progress. Benchmark project performance against comparable projects, with a focus on mechanical and MEP cost metrics. Oversee final accounting processes, including post-contract audits and financial closeout activities, ensuring accuracy of mechanical trade packages. Facilitate post-project reviews with clients to capture lessons learned and contribute to continuous improvement and internal knowledge sharing. Develop and implement procedures governing project handover, including commissioning and closeout of mechanical systems. Perform detailed cost management activities using bid analysis sheets, change control documentation, estimating software, and quantity take-off tools specific to mechanical scopes. SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, mechanical engineering, or a field related to construction. Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience working in a cost management role in the construction industry, with exposure to mechanical/MEP systems. RICS accredited or working towards it is valuable. Experience supporting cost management on medium or large sized commercial or real estate construction projects. Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred. Good knowledge of construction industry technical matters, including procurement routes, value management, and value engineering, with a strong understanding of mechanical systems (HVAC, piping, and equipment). Strong communication skills and ability to interface with clients, contractors, and mechanical trade partners Additional Information *On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's needs.* Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change. We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance. Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community. Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com/ Turner & Townsend does not accept any speculative or unsolicited CV’s that have been sent to our internal recruitment team or hiring managers from agencies outside of our preferred supplier list or that have not followed due process. Any speculative or unsolicited CV’s will be treated as a direct application. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. #LI-MB1 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.