Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor – Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to support a large-scale, multi-phase hyperscale data center program. The role can be based in the Chicago, Illinois area and requires travel to the project site near St. Louis, Missouri, approximately once per month for two to three days. The successful candidate will serve as a key day-to-day client interface and lead delivery of high-value cost management services across a complex, multi-phase data center development. The role covers cost planning, procurement strategy, change management, and commercial governance, maintaining consistency, accuracy, and rigor across multiple workstreams and packages. The position calls for a confident, proactive, client-facing professional who can work independently and collaboratively with a high-performing project team. The role also includes producing cost reports, forecasts, cash flows, and variance analyses; managing cost validation and change control; supporting procurement and contract administration; and coordinating funding data and executive-level updates. The Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor will mentor junior team members, contribute to continuous improvement, and support account growth through stakeholder relationships. SOX control responsibilities may apply. The base salary range is $140,000–$160,000 USD. Employees may also be eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package. The company promotes a flexible working environment that supports work-life balance. On-site presence and requirements may change based on client needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field.
At least 6–7 years of cost management or project controls experience, including leading cost deliverables on medium-to-large, complex projects.
Ability to travel monthly to the St. Louis, Missouri area for a two- to three-day trip.
Knowledge of procurement, commercial management, contracts, change, and risk.
Demonstrated expertise in estimating, cost planning, budgeting, reporting, and cost control systems.
Excellent client-facing communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders.
Strong analytical skills and high attention to detail.
Proficiency with industry-standard cost tools.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree.
Data center or mission-critical/industrial project experience.
Consultancy experience.
RICS accreditation or working toward it.

Responsibilities

Serve as the day-to-day client interface and ensure client objectives are met through cost management.
Lead scope delivery for assigned phases and packages, coordinating with designers, GC/CM, and trade partners.
Prepare and present written and verbal updates, executive summaries, and recommendations.
Develop estimates and cost plans through design and present updates at each design milestone.
Review and reconcile estimates with the GC/CM and design team, validating quantities and scope alignment.
Provide commercial input to design optioneering and value engineering, and inform engineering priorities based on cost and constructability.
Support procurement strategy and contract administration, including review of contractor and subcontractor pricing.
Lead or assist price negotiations to achieve fair and competitive contract values.
Provide independent cost and market inputs using internal benchmarks and supplier intelligence.
Manage change orders from evaluation and negotiation through tracking and approval.
Maintain commitment tracking, contingency management, trend analysis, and risk registers.
Ensure robust cost validation, auditing, and change control throughout delivery.
Produce monthly cost reports, forecasts, cash flows, and variance analyses in a timely manner.
Coordinate funding data, develop executive-level summaries, and facilitate value engineering and risk sessions.
Implement and maintain Turner & Townsend Business Management Systems and delivery tools, and comply with SOX controls where applicable.
Mentor and coach junior team members and model Turner & Townsend purpose, values, and service excellence.
Contribute to improvements in internal tools, templates, benchmarks, and best practices.
Support account growth and cross-selling through strong stakeholder relationships.