Graduate Programme 2026 - Cost Management and Commercial Management - Edinburgh

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. Our capabilities include programme, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions.

Our 24-month Graduate Development Programme (GDP) provides you with a learning environment to help you become a well-rounded consultant and launch your career. From day one, you’ll dive into the heart of Turner & Townsend, building your internal networks and deepening your understanding of our industry and service area. This is your chance to develop industry knowledge that goes beyond textbooks and lectures.

As a part of our team, you’ll receive a structured development plan tailored to introduce you to the technical and commercial competencies that are the steppingstones to success at Turner & Townsend. A dedicated Graduate Development Manager will be your guide, providing support and ensuring you’re on the right track. Our learning approach goes beyond traditional 'on-the-job' training. You’ll benefit from a blend of technical and behavioural training, learning from both peers and experienced professionals. This comprehensive approach equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to excel.

Cost Management is a core discipline at Turner & Townsend, focused on delivering value for money across the lifecycle of a project. It involves managing costs from initial feasibility through to final delivery, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

What You’ll Do

As a graduate in this area, you’ll play a key role in helping clients make informed decisions and manage risk. The role offers a fast-paced environment where you can contribute to commercial success across a wide range of sectors, including:

• Infrastructure
• Central & Local Government
• Health & Education
• Energy and Natural Resources
• Commercial Development
• Data Centres
• Life Sciences
• Defence

You’ll also work with our HIVE applications and tools, which are part of our integrated service offering. Unique to Turner & Townsend, HIVE is a digital platform that supports our global business by using data and technology to improve cost efficiency and reduce carbon impact across projects.

Core Skills You’ll Develop

• Contract administration and management
• Cost control and performance management
• Cost modelling and benchmarking
• Estimating and measurement
• Core and technical skills in quantity surveying
• Value management and value engineering
• Stakeholder management
• Cost auditing and assurance
• Supply chain and market engagement
• Procurement and tendering
• Developing commercial strategies and programme setup
• Creating digital solutions to enhance performance
• Delivering projects using Turner & Townsend's bespoke digital tools
• Using our industry-leading Embodied Carbon Calculator

Professional Qualification

We’ll also fully support you through the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), helping you work toward becoming a professionally chartered surveyor.

What We Value in Our Graduates

• Passion: A genuine interest in the built environment and the construction industry, including both infrastructure and real estate.
• Client Focus: A strong desire to deliver excellent service and uphold our commitment to quality in everything you do.
• Sustainability Awareness: Conscious of environmental challenges and motivated to contribute to a more sustainable future in construction.
• Analytical Thinking: Able to approach problems logically and eager to develop your analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Data Fluency: Comfortable working with data and confident in presenting insights clearly and effectively.
• Drive: Motivated to contribute to the successful delivery of projects and programmes.
• Self-Awareness: Recognise your own development needs and are committed to learning and refining your technical and commercial skills.

What You’ll Gain

• Sector Exposure: The opportunity to broaden your knowledge across sectors such as real estate, infrastructure, advisory, defence, and energy and natural resources while developing the skills to provide commercial, strategic, and analytical advice to clients.
• Client and Team Engagement: The opportunity to work with your colleagues in a team environment, and with our clients, to drive positive social and environmental change, encourage innovation and create a sustainable energy future.
• Tailored Development: A personalised training plan designed to grow your skills and knowledge, with tools to help you track and advance your progress.
• Technical Training: Access to our Technical Training Academy, where you’ll deepen your professional expertise, sharpen your capabilities, and prepare for future challenges.
• Supportive Culture: A collaborative team environment that actively supports your development and helps you grow your career as a professional.
• Global Opportunity: The chance to join a high-performing, global professional services firm known for its resilience and adaptability in changing market conditions.
• Purpose-Driven Work: Opportunities to contribute to our commitments in sustainability, innovation, inclusivity, wellbeing, and community impact.

Additional Information

• Benefits: 25 Days annual leave, Buy and Sell annual leave, Corporate Gym Membership, Cycle scheme, Pension.
• Other Requirements: In some regional roles, the ability to drive may be necessary due to the location of client offices. To be considered for roles in the Defence arena, you will need to pass both a Baseline Personnel Security Standard check and UKSV SC clearance.