Senior Cost Manager - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend•Atlanta, GA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to lead cost management for a large-scale, mission-critical construction program. This role requires expertise across the full project lifecycle, with a primary focus on cost control, change management, and financial reporting during construction to ensure successful delivery on time and within budget.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field.
6–10+ years of experience in cost management or project controls, with increasing responsibility.
Proven track record managing large-scale, mission-critical construction projects (e.g., data centers, high-tech, industrial).
Expertise in cost planning, budgeting, post-contract cost control, change management, and financial reporting.
Strong knowledge of procurement strategies and commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.
Excellent leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities with strong attention to detail.
Proficiency in industry-standard cost management tools and software.

Nice To Haves

RICS accreditation or progress toward it is advantageous.
Familiarity with MEP systems is beneficial.

Responsibilities

Lead cost management activities across the full project lifecycle, from early-stage budgeting and procurement support through post-contract cost control and final account closeout.
Develop and present detailed cost plans, estimates, and budgets aligned with project scope and client objectives.
Oversee cost control processes during construction, monitoring actual costs against forecasts, identifying variances, and implementing corrective actions to maintain budget integrity.
Review, validate, and negotiate change orders, ensuring proper documentation and compliance with contractual terms.
Manage contingency tracking, commitments, and cost impacts across multiple packages or phases.
Prepare and deliver detailed cost reports, forecasts, and executive-level presentations for clients and senior stakeholders.
Provide strategic advice on procurement strategies, bid analysis, and contractor negotiations.
Drive value engineering and design optimization initiatives to identify cost-saving opportunities during construction.
Ensure compliance with internal financial systems, client-specific requirements, and regulatory controls.
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.
SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.