Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend • Arlington, VA

36d • Onsite

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to act as the key, day‑to‑day client interface on a major, multi‑phase campus construction program in Northern Virginia. The successful candidate will play a critical role in ensuring client objectives are achieved through robust cost planning, disciplined commercial management, and consistent stakeholder engagement across multiple projects progressing simultaneously. This is a highly visible, client‑facing position requiring excellent communication skills, sound commercial judgment, and the ability to operate independently while providing leadership within a collaborative, high‑performance environment. You will embed and promote the purpose, values, and vision of Turner & Townsend while delivering best‑in‑class cost management outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related construction discipline.
• Minimum 5–7 years’ experience in a cost management or quantity surveying role within the construction industry.
• Proven experience leading cost management on medium to large construction projects of moderate to high complexity, ideally within campus, multi‑building, or multi‑site programs.
• Construction consultancy experience strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of construction delivery, including procurement routes, cost controls, change management, value management, and value engineering.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Detail‑oriented, commercially astute, and capable of working independently within complex project teams.

Nice To Haves

• RICS accreditation or progress toward certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage cost plans and estimates through design and delivery phases, producing updated cost plans at defined design milestones.
• Prepare, present, and maintain the final cost plan, aligned with program phasing, site constraints, and infrastructure scope.
• Review and participate with design teams and general contractors in the development, validation, and reconciliation of estimates.
• Compile built cost records to support benchmarking, forecasting, and continuous program improvement.
• Estimate, negotiate, and reconcile change orders throughout the construction lifecycle, ensuring robust governance and documentation.
• Manage post‑contract cost variances, change control processes, and contingency allocations.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing, validate scope and quantities, and lead negotiations on behalf of the client to drive fair and defensible contract values.
• Ensure final accounts are negotiated and agreed in a timely and accurate manner.
• Carry out cost checks, valuations, and audits on larger and more complex projects, ensuring data accuracy and consistency.
• Produce monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and funding data presentations for client review.
• Maintain commitment tracking logs and manage cost impact reporting across multiple workstreams.
• Ensure robust cost validation processes are in place using inputs from designers, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and professional advisors.
• Coordinate cost information across all sources, including drawings, specifications, schedules, and site data.
• Inform and influence engineering and construction priorities based on cost and value considerations.
• Provide commercial input into design optioneering and value engineering exercises, coordinating and supporting VE workshops with stakeholders.
• Work proactively, with minimal supervision, to resolve cost‑ and schedule‑related challenges in a fast‑paced construction environment.
• Act as the primary interface for cost matters, communicating regularly with the client, project managers, and construction teams to gather status and align expectations.
• Prepare formal written commentary on contractor submissions, including executive‑level summaries.
• Identify, coach, and mentor team members, supporting professional development and celebrating success.
• Display excellence in leadership and service delivery on all commissions, aligned with conditions of appointment.
• Ensure compliance with internal Business Management Systems, delivery methodologies, and best‑practice controls.
• Track ongoing margin levels and manage monthly fee and resource forecasts using internal systems.
• Act as a role model for a one‑business culture, balancing outcomes for people, clients, stakeholders, and the wider community.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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