Senior Cost Manager - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend•Seattle, WA

2d•$140,000 - $165,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to drive cost management for a high-profile tech client’s data center construction portfolio. In this role, you will oversee cost planning and control across multiple projects, ensuring accurate budgets, forecasts, and reports throughout the lifecycle. You will provide strategic advice on procurement, manage change control, and assess financial impacts while collaborating with project teams to optimize value and efficiency. This client-facing position demands strong technical expertise, excellent communication skills, and the ability to present cost data and recommendations confidently to senior stakeholders. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, with three days per week in our Seattle office and remote flexibility for the remaining days

Requirements

Ability and willingness to work in our Seattle office 3 days per week.
Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
6–10+ years of progressive experience in cost management or a related discipline.
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.
Familiarity with MEP systems is valuable.
RICS accreditation or progress toward it is advantageous.
Consultancy experience is beneficial.

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.