Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend•Chicago, IL

12h•$130,000 - $160,000

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 / Quantity Surveyor to join our Chicago data center team and serve as the key day‑to‑day client interface on a major data center construction program. The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator, self‑motivated, and confident operating in a client‑facing leadership role while promoting Turner & Townsend’s purpose, values, and vision. The role will be based in the Chicago area and will support one of the largest construction programs in Michigan’s history, involving multiple large‑scale facilities and significant regional development activity. Monthly travel to the project site in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area is required. In this senior role, you will provide full lifecycle cost leadership, including estimating, procurement support, change management, cost control, reporting, and final account closeout ensuring that client objectives are achieved through high‑quality, value‑added cost management services.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a related construction field.
Minimum 5–7 years of relevant experience in a construction cost management role.
Good knowledge of construction industry technical matters, including procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.
Excellent communication skills and confidence in client‑facing settings.

Nice To Haves

RICS accredited or working towards accreditation is preferred.
Proven experience leading cost management on medium or large‑sized construction projects of medium to high complexity.
Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide estimate and cost planning, including producing and presenting the final cost plan.
Review and participate with the design services team and general contractor in the development of cost estimates.
Develop cost plans and estimates through the design phase, delivering updates at appropriate design milestones.
Provide commercial input to design optioneering and contribute to value engineering exercises.
Coordinate sources of cost information for cost discussions (e.g., direct supplier inputs, subcontractor quotes, and A/E quantities).
Prepare written comments on contractor submissions, including executive summaries.
Review contractor and subcontractor pricing and lead negotiations on behalf of the client to achieve fair contract prices.
Inform and help prioritize engineering decisions based on cost impact.
Compile built cost estimate records for benchmarking purposes.
Estimate and negotiate change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
Reconcile changes and assist the general contractor to ensure cost data accuracy.
Manage cost checks and carry out valuations on larger projects, ensuring timely and accurate processes.
Participate effectively in post‑contract cost variance analysis and change control processes.
Manage cost impact, contingency management, and commitment tracking logs.
Work proactively with minimal supervision to resolve scheduling issues that influence cost.
Carry out the production of monthly cost reports for presentation to the client.
Ensure cost auditing and valuation work is managed effectively with robust validation processes.
Prepare funding data presentations and coordinate VE sessions with stakeholders.
Ensure final accounts are negotiated and agreed in a timely manner.
Display excellence in leadership and service delivery on commissions in line with the conditions of appointment.
Identify, coach, and mentor talent to realize their potential and celebrate the success of others.
Be a role model who drives a “one business” culture balancing outcomes for people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
Financial Management: utilize internal software to track margin levels, monthly fee/resource forecasts, and financial reports.
Implement and maintain internal Business Management Systems and company delivery methodologies/tools to ensure consistent best‑practice delivery.
SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.