What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Cost Manager - Data Center Construction 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 Senior Cost Manager or Senior Quantity Surveyor to lead cost management on major, mission-critical data center developments in the Madison County, MS area. These projects represent some of the largest capital investments in the area’s history, involving multi-site campuses, advanced sustainability measures, and significant infrastructure upgrades to support next-generation technology.
As a senior member of our team, you will provide strategic leadership and expert guidance throughout the project lifecycle. You’ll work closely with clients, contractors, and internal teams to ensure delivery on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.
Responsibilities:
- Lead cost management strategy across large-scale, multi-phase data center construction projects.
- Manage full lifecycle cost activities from early-stage budgeting through final account closeout.
- Develop and present detailed cost plans, estimates, and budgets aligned with project scope and client objectives.
- Oversee cost control processes, monitor actuals vs. forecasts, identify variances, and implement corrective actions.
- Review and negotiate change orders, ensuring proper documentation and cost validation.
- Provide strategic advice on procurement strategies, bid analysis, and contractor negotiations for complex, high-value packages.
- Prepare and deliver executive-level cost reports, forecasts, and presentations to senior stakeholders.
- Manage contingency tracking, commitments, and cost impacts across multiple packages or phases.
- Drive value engineering and design optimization initiatives, including sustainability measures such as water reuse and renewable energy integration.
- Ensure compliance with internal financial systems, client-specific requirements, and regulatory controls.
- Maintain benchmarking data, historical cost records, and lessons learned for continuous improvement.
- Mentor and support junior cost management staff, fostering professional development.
- Contribute to the enhancement of internal cost management tools, templates, and processes.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, vendors, and internal teams.
- 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 related field.
- 6–10 years of experience in cost management or project controls, with increasing responsibility.
- Proven experience managing large-scale, mission-critical construction projects (e.g., data centers, high-tech, industrial).
- Expertise in cost planning, budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control systems.
- Strong knowledge of procurement strategies and commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.
- RICS accreditation or working toward it is advantageous.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
- Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
- Proficiency in industry-standard tools and software for cost management.
- Familiarity with MEP systems is beneficial.
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/
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:
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.