Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend•Chicago, IL

30d

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries. Working with our clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, we transform together delivering outcomes that improve people’s lives. Working in partnership makes it possible to deliver the world’s most impactful projects and programs as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success. Our capabilities include program, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions. We are majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with our partners holding a significant minority interest. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide clients with the premier program, project and cost management offering in markets around the world. Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager or Quantity Surveyor to drive cost management for a large-scale, mission-critical data center program in the Chicago metropolitan area. These projects involve multi-phase construction of advanced facilities designed to expand cloud and AI infrastructure, with significant investment in MEP systems and high-performance environments. You will manage cost planning and control from concept through final account, working closely with internal teams, contractors, and stakeholders to deliver high-value outcomes. The ideal candidate has deep expertise in estimating, procurement, and financial management, with strong knowledge of MEP systems and experience handling complex construction budgets for multi-building campuses. To be successful in this role you must have great communication skills and be comfortable operating in a client-facing role.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field.
5–7+ years of experience in cost management or project controls, ideally within large-scale, mission-critical environments (e.g., data centers, high-tech, industrial).
Proven experience in construction consultancy is preferred.
Strong background in budgeting, financial reporting, cost control systems, and Earned Value Management (EVM).
Expertise in procurement strategies and commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
Proficiency in industry-standard cost management tools and software.

Nice To Haves

RICS accreditation or progress toward certification is advantageous.

Responsibilities

Lead cost management across all project phases, ensuring alignment with scope, budget, and schedule.
Develop and maintain detailed cost plans and estimates, leveraging industry benchmarks and technical documentation.
Produce and present monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and financial updates to stakeholders.
Manage change control processes, including review and negotiation of change orders and post-contract cost variances.
Oversee contractor and subcontractor pricing reviews, scope validation, and procurement strategy development.
Collaborate with design teams, general contractors, and vendors to validate cost estimates and perform quantity surveying.
Drive continuous improvement in cost management practices, supporting standardization and best-in-class delivery.
Support cost risk analysis and scenario planning for multi-phase programs.
Monitor market trends and provide insights on escalation, labor availability, and material pricing.
Develop strategies for cost optimization and value engineering.
Coordinate with scheduling teams to align cost forecasts with project timelines.
Track and report on cash flow forecasts and commitments to ensure financial accuracy.
Review and validate invoices against contract terms and approved budgets.
Maintain accurate cost databases and benchmarking information for future projects.
Mentor junior team members and contribute to a high-performance, collaborative team culture.
Ensure compliance with internal financial systems, regulatory requirements, and SOX controls where applicable.
Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, vendors, and project teams to support successful project delivery.