What are the responsibilities and job description for the Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction (Heavy Civil) position at Turner & Townsend?
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 is seeking an experienced Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to support cost management for large-scale, mission-critical data center construction programs with a strong emphasis on heavy civil works. These projects involve next-generation facilities for innovative technology infrastructure, requiring robust foundations, site development, and complex utility installations alongside sustainable construction practices.
You will manage cost planning and control from concept through final account, working closely with internal teams, contractors, and stakeholders to deliver accurate budgets and value-driven outcomes. This role demands expertise in estimating, procurement, and financial management, with proven ability to manage complex budgets for multi-building campuses and heavy civil scopes.
Responsibilities
- Support cost management across all project phases, ensuring alignment with scope, budget, and schedule.
- Develop and maintain detailed cost plans and estimates, including heavy civil components such as earthworks, foundations, and utility infrastructure.
- Produce and present monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and financial updates to stakeholders.
- Manage change control processes, including review and negotiation of change orders and post-contract cost variances.
- Oversee contractor and subcontractor pricing reviews, scope validation, and procurement strategy development.
- Collaborate with design teams, general contractors, and vendors to validate cost estimates and perform quantity surveying.
- Drive continuous improvement in cost management practices, supporting standardization and best-in-class delivery.
- Support cost risk analysis and scenario planning for multi-phase programs.
- Monitor market trends and provide insights on escalation, labor availability, and material pricing.
- Develop strategies for cost optimization and value engineering.
- Coordinate with scheduling teams to align cost forecasts with project timelines.
- Track and report on cash flow forecasts and commitments to ensure financial accuracy.
- Review and validate invoices against contract terms and approved budgets.
- Maintain accurate cost databases and benchmarking information for future projects.
- Mentor junior team members and contribute to a high-performance, collaborative team culture.
- Ensure compliance with internal financial systems, regulatory requirements, and SOX controls where applicable.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, vendors, and project teams to support successful project delivery.
- SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field.
- Heavy civil experience ideally from a contractor or general contractor background (earthworks, utilities, structural foundations).
- Well-rounded experience in cost management or project controls within large-scale, mission-critical environments (e.g., data centers, high-tech, industrial).
- Proven track record in construction consultancy is preferred.
- Strong background in budgeting, financial reporting, cost control systems, and Earned Value Management (EVM).
- Expertise in procurement strategies and commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.
- RICS accreditation or progress toward certification is advantageous.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
- Proficiency in industry-standard cost management tools and software.
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/ and https://www.heery.com/
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
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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.