Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend•Aurora, IL

12d•$135,000 - $165,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to act as the day-to-day client interface on a major, mission-critical hyperscale data center construction project. The role delivers value-added cost management services and requires strong communication, client-facing skills, self-motivation, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively. The successful candidate will provide leadership and direction while promoting Turner & Townsend’s purpose, values, and vision. The project site is approximately 25 miles west of Aurora, in Grundy County. The role has a hybrid schedule, with an expected on-site presence three days per week, subject to project phase and client requirements. On-site presence may change according to client needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a construction-related field.
At least 5–7 years of relevant experience in a construction-industry cost management role.
Experience leading cost management on medium or large construction projects of medium to high complexity.
Good knowledge of construction industry technical matters, including procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.
Excellent communication skills.
Ability to work in a client-facing role, independently with minimal supervision, and as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

RICS accreditation or working toward it.
Construction consultancy experience.
Prior experience supporting data center, mission-critical, industrial, or similar large-scale infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

Estimate and negotiate change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
Produce and present cost plans, estimates, and cost updates, including at appropriate design milestones.
Review and participate in developing cost estimates with the design services team and general contractor.
Reconcile changes and help ensure the general contractor’s cost data is accurate.
Gather status information from the general contractor and owner’s project manager to prepare cost estimate updates.
Prepare written comments on general contractor submissions, including executive summaries.
Coordinate cost information from NPA, subcontractors, suppliers, and A/Es for cost discussions.
Inform and drive engineering priorities based on cost impact.
Proactively resolve scheduling issues with minimal supervision.
Manage cost checks and valuations on larger projects, completing processes accurately and on time.
Manage post-contract cost variances and change control processes.
Manage cost impact, contingency, and commitment-tracking logs.
Prepare funding data presentations and coordinate value engineering sessions with stakeholders.
Provide commercial input to design optioneering and value engineering exercises.
Review contractor and subcontractor pricing and lead client-side negotiations to achieve fair contract prices.
Carry out quantity surveying, cost control, and change management throughout the project lifecycle.
Manage cost auditing and valuation work and maintain a robust cost-validation process.
Produce monthly cost reports for presentation to the client.
Negotiate and agree final accounts in a timely manner.
Compile built-cost estimate records for benchmarking.
Identify, coach, and mentor talent, and recognize others’ success.
Provide leadership and service delivery on commissions in accordance with the conditions of appointment.
Use internal software to track commission margin levels and monthly fee and resource forecasts, and prepare financial reports.
Implement and maintain internal Business Management Systems, delivery methodologies, and tools to support consistent best-practice delivery.
Model a one-business culture that balances the needs of employees, clients, stakeholders, and society.
Adhere to applicable SOX control responsibilities.