Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend • Oklahoma City, OK

5d

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to serve as the day-to-day client interface on a large-scale data center construction program. The role delivers cost management services across multiple projects and delivery phases, ensuring client objectives are met. It requires confident communication in a client-facing environment with multiple stakeholders, and the ability to work independently and as part of an integrated project team. The successful candidate will provide leadership and direction while promoting Turner & Townsend’s purpose, values, and vision.

The position covers estimating, cost planning, cost control, quantity surveying, commercial administration, procurement support, change management, forecasting, valuations, and final accounts for complex data center projects. The work includes mission-critical systems and infrastructure, such as building, MEP, power, and cooling scopes. The role also involves reporting to clients and project leadership, coordinating cost information, advising on value and design decisions, and supporting project teams through design and post-contract phases.

The role includes financial management for commissions using internal software and business management systems, along with compliance with applicable SOX controls. On-site presence and requirements may change depending on client needs. Turner & Townsend describes its working environment as flexible and supportive of work-life balance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 5–7 years of relevant experience in cost management, quantity surveying, or commercial management within the construction industry.
• Experience leading cost management activities on medium- to large-scale construction projects of moderate to high complexity.
• Strong knowledge of construction industry technical matters, including procurement strategies, cost planning, value management, value engineering, and commercial risk management.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and client-facing skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of an integrated project team.

Nice To Haves

• RICS accreditation or progress toward chartership.
• Experience in mission-critical, data center, advanced technology, industrial, or infrastructure sectors.
• Experience supporting large-scale data center developments, including MEP-heavy scopes, electrical infrastructure, cooling systems, and mission-critical facilities.
• Construction consultancy experience.
• Experience working in fast-paced, multi-project program environments.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the day-to-day client interface and deliver cost management services across multiple projects and delivery phases.
• Estimate and negotiate change orders throughout the data center construction lifecycle, including mission-critical systems and infrastructure packages.
• Provide estimating and cost planning services, including producing and presenting final cost plans across project phases.
• Review and participate with design teams, trade partners, and general contractors in developing cost estimates for building, MEP, power, cooling, and supporting infrastructure systems.
• Reconcile changes and help contractors ensure cost and quantity data are accurate and aligned with program objectives.
• Meet and communicate with contractors, consultants, and client project teams to obtain status information and prepare cost estimate updates.
• Prepare written reviews and executive summaries of contractor submissions, estimates, and change requests.
• Coordinate cost information from suppliers, subcontractors, vendors, labor rates, equipment costs, and design consultant quantities.
• Inform and drive engineering and design priorities based on cost impact and value optimization opportunities.
• Proactively resolve commercial, procurement, and scheduling issues with minimal supervision.
• Manage cost checks and valuations on large-scale, complex data center projects, ensuring these processes are timely and accurate.
• Participate in post-contract cost management, commercial administration, and change control processes.
• Manage cost impact assessments, contingency management, risk allowances, and commitment tracking logs.
• Prepare funding and budget presentations and coordinate value engineering workshops with stakeholders.
• Develop cost plans and estimates through all design phases and deliver updated plans at key design and procurement milestones.
• Provide commercial input to design optioneering, constructability reviews, and value engineering exercises.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing and lead client-side negotiations to achieve fair and competitive contract pricing.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost controls, forecasting, and change management throughout the project lifecycle.
• Manage post-contract cost variances and change control across multiple workstreams and contracts.
• Manage cost auditing and valuation activities and maintain robust cost validation processes.
• Produce monthly cost reports, forecasts, and program-level reports for clients and project leadership teams.
• Negotiate and agree final accounts in a timely manner.
• Compile historical cost data and benchmarking information for data center facilities, mission-critical infrastructure, and related construction scopes.
• Identify, coach, and mentor talent, and support the development and success of others.
• Provide leadership and service delivery on commissions in line with the conditions of appointment.
• Use internal software to track commission margin performance, resource forecasts, fee projections, and financial reporting requirements.
• Implement and maintain internal Business Management Systems and delivery methodologies.
• Promote a one-business culture that balances the needs of people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
• Adhere to applicable SOX control responsibilities.

Benefits

• Flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.
• An inclusive workplace that provides employees an opportunity and voice to affect change.

What This Job Offers

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