Cost Commercial Lead - Infrastructure

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.

We are seeking an experienced
Cost Commercial Lead
to join our dynamic team in Johannesburg. This role will focus on
transport and utilities projects
, which involve complex engineering and technical requirements, significant capital expenditure over extended periods. The ideal individual should have a strong background in cost management, commercial management, risk mitigation and execution-stage experience across heavy civils and infrastructure projects.

Experience with rail (perway, OHTE, signaling), aviation (runways, aprons, specialized services (AGL, navaids, BHS), ports (hard-standing, quay equipment) will be highly beneficial.

You will play a key role in working with the account lead to ensure accurate cost estimation, financial reporting, process efficiency and contractual compliance throughout the project lifecycle as well as management, growth and development of the project team.

• Prepare detailed cost estimates and Bills of Quantities (BoQ) for construction projects, including specialized systems common in transport projects
• Conduct value engineering exercises to identify cost savings proposals without compromising quality
• Develop multi-scenario forecasts to support client decision-making
• Provide accurate cost advice throughout the design and construction phases
• Manage tender processes, including preparation of prequalification, tender lists, tender documents and evaluation of bids
• Negotiate with contractors, subcontractors and suppliers to ensure competitive pricing and value for money
• Advise on procurement strategies to optimize supplier selection and contract terms

Contract Administration:

• Draft and review contracts in line with client standards, FIDIC, NEC and JBCC standards
• Oversee post-contract cost control:
  Interim valuations, progress payments, change orders, and final accounts
• Manage contractual claims (e.g., variations, EOTs) with quantum assessments and entitlement reviews
• Monitor cost variances against baselines, implementing corrective actions to maintain budget adherence
• Produce accurate monthly cost reports with variance analysis, cash flows and risk projections.
• Ensure audit-ready documentation for compliance and client audits
• Reconcile as-built costs against estimates, capturing lessons learned for internal knowledge base
• Forecast and maintain accurate Estimated final costs (EFC’s) for the projects
• Manage internal benchmarking and lesson learnt reports across the various projects
• Identify potential cost risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Advise on value engineering opportunities, especially for complex mechanical and electrical systems.
• Work closely with the account lead, client, project managers and project team to ensure financial objectives are met
• Management, growth and development of the internal project team
• Identify…