Lead Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend • Seattle, WA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries, working across real estate, infrastructure, energy, and natural resources to deliver impactful projects. Their capabilities include program, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero, and digital solutions. Majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., they collaborate to provide premier program, project, and cost management services. Turner & Townsend is seeking a Lead Cost Manager to oversee cost management for a large-scale, mission-critical data center construction program. This leadership role demands advanced technical expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to guide teams and influence stakeholders in a fast-paced environment. The company is open to considering strong Senior Cost Managers or Associate Director-level professionals. The Lead Cost Manager will be responsible for cost management throughout the full project lifecycle, ensuring budget adherence, quality, and compliance. This involves leading client engagements, mentoring team members, and promoting best practices in cost planning and control. The position offers a hybrid work arrangement, requiring three days per week in the Phoenix office with remote flexibility for the remaining days.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• 8–12+ years of progressive experience in cost management or a related discipline, including leadership responsibilities.
• Expertise in cost planning, budgeting, financial reporting, and change management.
• Strong knowledge of procurement strategies and commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.
• Proficiency in industry-standard cost management tools and software.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities with meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams and adapt to evolving priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Experience managing large-scale, mission-critical projects (data centers, high-tech, industrial) is advantageous but not required.
• Experience with MEP systems is desirable.
• RICS accreditation or progress toward it is advantageous.
• Consultancy experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost management activities throughout the project lifecycle, including early-stage budgeting, estimating, cost control, and change management through to final account closeout.
• Develop and present detailed cost plans, budgets, and estimates aligned with project scope and objectives.
• Prepare and deliver accurate monthly cost reports, forecasts, and executive-level presentations.
• Maintain benchmarking data, historical cost records, and lessons learned for continuous improvement.
• Review design development and contractor pricing, providing commercial input and leading negotiations to ensure fair and competitive contract pricing.
• Provide strategic advice on procurement strategies, bid analysis, and contract administration.
• Oversee contingency tracking, commitment logs, and cost impact reporting across multiple packages or phases.
• Drive value engineering and design optimization initiatives to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Coordinate with project controls and scheduling teams to align cost forecasts with progress updates.
• Mentor and coach junior team members, fostering professional development and best practices.
• Contribute to the enhancement of internal cost management tools, templates, and processes.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial systems, client-specific requirements, and regulatory controls.
• 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.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees