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Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionCompany 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 / Quantity Surveyor to serve as the key, day‑to‑day client interface on a major, multi‑phase data center construction program. The role is pivotal in ensuring the program is delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards, with strong emphasis on governance, commercial rigor, and stakeholder engagement.

The ideal candidate is comfortable operating in a client‑facing environment, communicates clearly, and can work both independently and collaboratively. In this senior role, you will provide leadership and direction while embedding and promoting the purpose, values, and vision of Turner & Townsend.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain detailed cost plans and estimates through design and delivery phases.
  • Produce and present monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and funding data.
  • Coordinate cost information from designers, contractors, subcontractors, and vendors for robust validation.
  • Compile built‑cost records for benchmarking and continuous improvement.
  • Lead procurement strategy, pricing reviews, scope validation, and commercial negotiations.
  • Manage final accounts and ensure timely agreement.
  • Lead full change‑management workflow: identification, evaluation, pricing, negotiation, approval tracking, and reconciliation.
  • Ensure change events are accurately costed, reviewed, and aligned with contractual requirements.
  • Maintain rigorous cost‑control systems, monitoring commitments, forecasts, and variances.
  • Support contingency management, cost risk analysis, and scenario planning.
  • Integrate cost, schedule, and scope coordination with project controls teams.
  • Lead and inform value engineering (VE) and cost‑optimization efforts.
  • Monitor market conditions and provide commercial insights to stakeholders.
  • Serve as the primary client interface to ensure objectives are understood and met.
  • Prepare executive‑level cost updates and commentary on contractor submissions.
  • Ensure compliance with internal Business Management Systems and project governance.
  • Mentor and coach junior team members; contribute to a high‑performance team culture.
  • Maintain strong financial management, including margin tracking and resource forecasting.
  • SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which must be adhered to where applicable

Qualifications

 

  • Regular onsite presence is required.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or related field.
  • 5–7+ years of cost management or project controls experience on medium‑ to large‑scale construction programs.
  • Mission‑critical, industrial, or large campus‑scale experience .
  • Consultancy experience strongly .
  • Strong understanding of civil, structural, and MEP construction.
  • Advanced knowledge of budgeting, financial reporting, cost‑control systems, and Earned Value Management (EVM).
  • Proven experience managing full change‑management processes on major construction programs.
  • Strong cost‑focused project controls background, including forecasting and variance analysis.
  • Ability to interpret schedules and assess cost impacts across phases and trades.
  • Expertise in procurement strategy and commercial contract management.
  • RICS accreditation (or progress toward certification) is advantageous.
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder‑management skills.
  • Strong analytical abilities and attention to detail.
  • Proficiency with industry‑standard cost management tools and Microsoft Office.

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 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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It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a 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.