Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend • Waukee, IA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to support commercial management, cost control, and estimating services on a large-scale, multi-phase mission-critical campus development. This role will involve close collaboration with clients, contractors, and design teams to oversee cost planning, change management, and commercial delivery across both pre- and post-contract phases. The ideal candidate will be confident operating in a client-facing environment, contributing to decision-making, and driving cost efficiency across all stages of the project lifecycle.

Requirements

• Minimum of 4+ years’ experience in a construction cost management role on medium to large, complex projects.
• Degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or related field.
• Experience on large-scale commercial, mission-critical, or infrastructure projects (data center experience highly desirable).
• Demonstrated experience operating in a client-facing environment with senior stakeholders.
• Strong proficiency in cost management tools, reporting systems, and Excel-based modeling.
• Experience supporting multi-phase or program-level developments is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of construction industry practices, including procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.

Nice To Haves

• RICS accreditation (or progress toward it) is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Estimating and negotiating change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
• Provide cost planning and estimating services, including producing and presenting final cost plans.
• Work with the design team and general contractor to develop and align cost estimates.
• Reconcile cost changes and validate contractor data for accuracy.
• Meet with the general contractor and owner’s project manager to track project status and update cost forecasts.
• Prepare written commentary on contractor submissions, including executive summaries.
• Coordinate all sources of cost information (contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, A/E teams).
• Inform and influence engineering and design decisions based on cost impacts.
• Proactively resolve scheduling and commercial issues with minimal supervision.
• Manage cost checks and perform valuations on large-scale projects.
• Lead post-contract cost variance and change control processes.
• Maintain contingency tracking, cost logs, and commitment tracking systems.
• Prepare funding data and support value engineering (VE) sessions with key stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with applicable internal controls (including SOX, where relevant).
• Develop cost plans and estimates throughout design phases.
• Deliver updated cost plans at key design milestones.
• Provide commercial input into design optioneering and value engineering exercises.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing.
• Lead commercial negotiations to achieve fair and competitive pricing.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost control, and change management activities.
• Manage cost variance and change control procedures effectively.
• Oversee cost auditing and valuation processes to ensure robust cost validation.
• Produce and present monthly cost reports to clients.
• Support timely negotiation and agreement of final accounts.
• Compile as-built cost data for benchmarking and historical tracking.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which must be adhered to where applicable.

Benefits

• A great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.
• Support a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level