Senior Mechanical Cost Manager/Estimator

About the role: Turner & Townsend is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior MEP Cost Manager / Estimator to join our dynamic San Francisco team. This hybrid role is crucial for delivering multi-disciplined real estate cost solutions for a variety of commercial projects, with a particular emphasis on complex Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems. The ideal candidate will possess a robust estimating background and be adept at leveraging specialized MEP take-off software such as Tracer, EPIC, Accubid, and other industry-standard tools. This position demands an individual who can strategically manage costs from concept through closeout, ensuring projects are delivered on budget and to the highest standards. What you’ll do: The purpose of this position is to assume responsibility for individual multi-disciplined real estate cost solutions for clients, with direct or indirect accountability for cost delivery, specifically focusing on the intricate aspects of MEP systems. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Manage all facets of cost management (budget, schedule, procurement, quality & risk) for individual real estate projects or programs throughout planning, design, construction, occupancy, and closeout, with specialized oversight for complex MEP procurement and installations. Evaluate project scope and client needs to develop and present recommended budgets for necessary pre-bid and pre-construction cost estimating and cost planning services. Partner with the project team to source and oversee pre-bid and pre-construction services for project budget and cost plan development, providing expert input on MEP components. Produce concept-level estimates to aid feasibility studies and assist with business cases, leveraging a range of information from internal benchmarking to detailed market data and estimates taken from drawings and specifications. This includes detailed quantity take-offs for complex MEP systems using software like Tracer, EPIC, and Accubid. Issue recommendations for and manage the performance of specialized MEP Estimators to produce detailed costing. Support Project Managers and leasing teams to accurately estimate costs associated with leases, ensuring optimized landlord contributions/tenant improvement allowances on behalf of the client. Assist the Project Manager team in implementing all project procurement in accordance with corporate policies and guidelines and make strategic recommendations on procurement strategy. Lead the analysis of bid/tender responses for all trades, especially MEP, leveling all responses and organizing data into concise, thorough reports for client presentation, including recommendations for allowances, contingencies, and reserves. Create and manage a detailed cost plan, producing and maintaining regular, detailed cost reports for client presentation. Align the cost plan with the project master schedule and provide cost guidance to achieve cost goals within scope/schedule. Establish a strategy to manage cash flows and project accruals, reporting progress consistently with company policy and flexibly adapting to client needs/systems. Promote Value Engineering (VE) as a continuous process throughout the project duration, leading or supporting VE workshops and exercises. Proactively identify and implement ideas to optimize outcomes, track/report progress against cost savings, and enhance value. Reconcile all estimates and change orders, scrutinizing, analyzing, and performing due diligence on all change orders, particularly those impacting MEP systems. Lead reconciliation meetings with General Contractors, Subcontractors, Construction Managers, and third-party consultants. Update cost plans/reports accordingly and advise the project team on cost risk mitigation strategies to maintain cost compliance, escalating high‑risk cost issues to the project team and client. Assist the client and design team with life cycle costing of LEED/sustainability initiatives, especially as they relate to energy‑efficient MEP systems. Review all invoices against the cost plan, provide valuation services and sign‑off to the project team in collaboration with team members charged with validating completed work. Review and approve all requests to apply costs toward allowances, contingencies, and reserves, updating the cost plan accordingly. Support cost/budget aspects of project closeout, negotiating, agreeing upon, and settling final accounts and close‑out statements. Issue release of all withholdings/retainage and close all funding approvals in accounting systems. Capture detailed project costs for contribution to CBRE/Turner & Townsend cost benchmarking and estimating databases and tools, with a focus on MEP system data. Where applicable, provide tools, processes, and training to ensure consistent cost management services across projects, programs, or geographies. Proactively seek opportunities to improve service delivery and adjust as needed. Manage third‑party cost delivery resources/teams at both the project and regional levels, ensuring all procured services and deliverables are met and escalating issues as appropriate. Suggest and implement contractual adjustments and project/account‑specific performance‑management solutions. Analyze and benchmark union and non‑union labor markets for MEP systems, leveraging NECA and other industry productivity standards to inform location‑specific estimating assumptions. Ensure accurate application of labor burdens, including fringes, statutory costs, and contractor overheads, while validating competitiveness and consistency across estimates. What you’ll need: Bachelor's degree (BA/BS/BEng/BArch) from an accredited College or University in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering (Mechanical or Electrical preferred), or relevant experience. Minimum 5-7 years of related experience and/or training in construction cost estimating and cost management, with a significant portion focused on complex MEP systems. Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, and strong working knowledge of MS Project. Demonstrated expertise in MEP estimating and take‑off software, including Tracer, EPIC, Accubid (e.g., Accubid Classic, Accubid Anywhere, Estimation MEP), and other similar industry‑specific platforms. Ability to read and understand architectural, structural, and detailed MEP drawings and specifications. Knowledge of leases, contracts, and construction practices, specifically related to MEP installations, is preferred. RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) or CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building) accreditation preferred. Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret complex business and technical documents, including MEP schematics and specifications. Ability to respond effectively to sensitive issues and communicate technical information clearly to non‑technical stakeholders. Ability to write comprehensive reports, manuals, and articles using a distinctive style. Ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on complex topics to employees, clients, top management, and public groups. Ability to motivate and negotiate effectively with key employees, top management, and client groups to take desired action. Requires general knowledge of financial terms and principles. Ability to calculate complex figures and perform advanced financial/business analysis, including budget forecasting and reporting. Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret complex documents. Ability to solve advanced problems and deal with a variety of options in complex situations. Requires advanced analytical and quantitative skills. Safety: Adheres to all company and client safety policies and procedures. #J-18808-Ljbffr