Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to serve as the key day-to-day client interface on a major, mission-critical hyperscale data center construction project. The role delivers value-added cost management services and ensures client objectives are met. The successful candidate will provide leadership and direction while promoting Turner & Townsend’s purpose, values, and vision. Strong communication skills and comfort in a client-facing role are important; the candidate should be self-motivated, able to work independently, and effective as part of a team. The position is based in Chicago and requires regular travel to project sites in Minooka, Illinois, approximately 58 miles from downtown Chicago. Candidates should be comfortable commuting to support on-site activities as needed. On-site presence and requirements may change depending on client needs. The role covers cost planning and estimating, quantity surveying, commercial advice, cost controls, change management, valuations, cost reporting, and final account negotiations. It also includes financial management of commissions, use of internal business management systems and delivery methodologies, and coaching and mentoring colleagues. SOX control responsibilities may apply where relevant.

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-sized 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.
Comfort operating in a client-facing role and working independently as well as in a team.
Willingness and ability to commute to project sites in Minooka, Illinois, as needed.

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.
Provide estimates and cost planning, including producing and presenting the final cost plan.
Review and participate with the design services team and general contractor in developing cost estimates.
Reconcile changes and assist the general contractor in ensuring its data is accurate.
Communicate or meet with the general contractor and the owner’s project manager to gather status information for cost estimate updates.
Prepare written comments on general contractor submissions, including executive summaries.
Coordinate sources of cost information for cost discussions, including suppliers directly from NPA, subcontractors, and quantities from architects and engineers.
Inform and drive engineering priorities based on cost impact.
Work proactively with minimal supervision to resolve scheduling issues.
Manage cost checks and carry out valuations on larger projects.
Complete timely and accurate cost checking and valuation processes.
Manage post-contract cost variances and change control processes effectively.
Manage cost impact, contingency, and commitment-tracking logs.
Prepare funding data presentations and coordinate value-engineering sessions with stakeholders.
Develop cost plans and estimates through the design phase and deliver updated plans at appropriate design milestones.
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.
Perform quantity surveying, cost controls, and change management throughout the project lifecycle.
Ensure cost auditing and valuation work is managed effectively 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, helping colleagues realize their potential and celebrating their success.
Demonstrate leadership and service delivery on commissions in line with appointment conditions.
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 people, clients, stakeholders, and society.