Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend • Richmond, VA

11h • Onsite

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Senior Quantity Surveyor to act as the key day‑to‑day client interface on a major mission‑critical data center program. These projects demand strong commercial leadership, disciplined cost control, and the capability to support complex infrastructure and site‑development works throughout construction. The ideal candidate is confident in a client‑facing environment, self‑motivated, and comfortable working both independently and as part of an integrated team. In this senior role, you will focus on cost control, change management, valuations, and commercial governance during the construction phase, providing clear direction and oversight as projects move through delivery. You will operate as a trusted advisor to the client, working closely with contractors, consultants, and internal teams across complex infrastructure, site‑development, and multi‑phase campus environments. The role requires setting the standard for best‑practice commercial management while consistently representing Turner & Townsend’s purpose, values, and vision.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 6+ years of post‑contract cost management or quantity surveying experience, with a strong construction delivery track record.
• Proven experience leading commercial management on medium to large, complex construction projects, preferably within mission‑critical, data center, industrial, or infrastructure environments.
• Strong background in construction consultancy or client‑side cost management roles.
• Deep understanding of construction contracts, valuation procedures, change control, and final account negotiation.
• Knowledge of procurement strategies, value management, and cost assurance during construction.
• Confident communicator with strong client‑facing presence and the ability to lead commercial discussions at senior levels.

Nice To Haves

• RICS accreditation or active progress toward chartership preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead all construction and post‑contract cost management activities across large, complex data center and infrastructure projects.
• Act as the primary commercial point of contact for the client during construction delivery.
• Establish and maintain robust commercial governance, cost control, and change‑management processes.
• Lead the evaluation, negotiation, and agreement of change orders throughout construction.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing to ensure entitlement, accuracy, and value for money.
• Manage interim valuations, payment recommendations, and cost certifications with accuracy and timeliness.
• Oversee contingency drawdown, commitment tracking, and cost‑to‑complete forecasting.
• Maintain detailed cost reports, cash flow forecasts, and commercial dashboards for multi‑building or multi‑phase campuses.
• Monitor cost variances, analyze trends, and proactively identify commercial risks and opportunities.
• Support value engineering and cost optimization initiatives during construction, without compromising program or quality.
• Prepare funding data, executive cost summaries, and commercial briefings for senior client stakeholders.
• Administer contracts from a cost and commercial perspective, supporting correct interpretation and application of contractual mechanisms.
• Lead final account negotiations and ensure timely, fair, and defensible commercial close‑out.
• Compile final cost data and built‑cost benchmarks to support future phases or portfolio planning.
• Work closely with project management, design, and construction teams to resolve commercial and coordination issues typical of major campus developments.
• Mentor and coach junior cost managers and quantity surveyors, fostering technical excellence and professional growth.
• Contribute to lessons‑learned sessions, handover documentation, and internal best‑practice development.
• Utilize internal systems to manage commission financials, margin performance, resource forecasting, and reporting.
• Apply Turner & Townsend’s delivery methodologies and Business Management Systems consistently.
• Act as a role model for collaboration, integrity, and client service.
• 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