What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Cost / Quantity Surveyor 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 to drive cost management activities for a major hyperscale data center development. This program involves large-scale land development and new-build campuses designed to support advanced, AI-ready infrastructure with high-density compute environments, renewable energy integration, and robust connectivity solutions.
As a Senior Cost Manager, you will oversee the full lifecycle of cost management for these complex, multi-billion-dollar projects, from early-stage budgeting and feasibility studies through final account closeout. You will develop and present detailed cost plans, manage change orders, and provide strategic advice on procurement and risk mitigation. This role requires expertise in cost planning, forecasting, and value engineering, along with the ability to collaborate across design, construction, and energy infrastructure teams to ensure alignment between scope, budget, and schedule.
Responsibilities
- Lead full project control cost management activities on large-scale hyperscale data center construction projects, from GMP / bid review through to final account closeout.
- 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.
- Prepare and deliver executive-level cost reports, forecasts, and presentations to clients and senior stakeholders.
- Manage contingency tracking, commitments, and cost impacts across multiple packages or phases.
- Drive value engineering and design optimization initiatives to identify cost-saving opportunities.
- Maintain benchmarking data, historical cost records, and lessons learned for continuous improvement.
- Contribute to the enhancement of internal cost management tools, templates, and processes.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, vendors, and internal teams.
- Collaborate closely with project managers, architects, engineers, and general contractors to ensure cost control and efficient project execution.
- Participate in risk workshops and proactively identify financial risks, developing mitigation strategies.
- 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., hyperscale data centers, energy infrastructure, 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 and complex building services is beneficial.
- Ability to manage multiple phases and packages concurrently in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong understanding of construction contracts, change management processes, and risk allocation.
- Experience with value engineering and design optimization techniques.
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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