Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend • Martinsburg, WV

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to serve as the primary day-to-day client interface for a large-scale hyperscale data center development in Berkeley County, West Virginia. The role is an on-site lead position based in West Virginia, with travel to Manassas, Virginia approximately 25% of the time, typically one week per month.

The project involves delivering multiple high-capacity data center facilities and associated mission-critical infrastructure. The successful candidate will provide commercial leadership and cost governance throughout the project lifecycle, delivering value-added cost management services to meet client objectives. The role requires a confident, client-facing professional who can work independently and collaborate closely with designers, engineers, contractors, suppliers, and the client’s project leadership team.

The Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor will lead cost planning, estimating, commercial management, change control, cost reporting, contractor pricing reviews and negotiations, value engineering, financial controls, post-contract reporting, final account negotiations, and project close-out. The role also includes client reporting and presentations, support for phased development and future expansion, team coaching and mentoring, fee forecasting and margin tracking, and implementation of internal business systems and delivery methodologies. SOX control responsibilities may apply where relevant.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 5–7+ years of relevant cost management experience within the construction industry.
• Proven experience leading cost management on medium- to large-scale, high-complexity projects.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage confidently with stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to be based on-site in West Virginia and travel to Manassas, Virginia approximately 25% of the time.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with data centers, mission-critical facilities, or major infrastructure.
• Construction consultancy background.
• Strong understanding of procurement strategies, value management, and value engineering.
• RICS accreditation or working toward chartership.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost planning, estimating, and commercial management for large-scale hyperscale data center facilities, including core and shell buildings, substations, site infrastructure, and supporting utilities.
• Develop, present, and maintain detailed cost plans and estimates at key design milestones.
• Manage change control, cost variances, and contingency strategy throughout the construction lifecycle.
• Evaluate cost impacts related to power infrastructure, energy capacity, and AI-ready design requirements, informing engineering priorities.
• Perform cost checks, valuations, commitment tracking, and reconciliation of contractor and subcontractor data.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing, lead negotiations, and pursue fair, commercially sound client outcomes.
• Estimate and negotiate change orders related to design development, authority requirements, and infrastructure upgrades.
• Participate in value engineering and commercial optioneering, balancing performance, sustainability, and cost certainty.
• Act as the primary client contact for cost and commercial matters.
• Coordinate with the design team, general contractor, and suppliers to gather status data and produce cost updates.
• Prepare commercial reports, including monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and funding presentations for senior stakeholders.
• Support value engineering workshops and funding approvals for phased development and future expansion.
• Ensure robust cost auditing, valuation, and financial control processes.
• Manage post-contract cost reporting, final account negotiations, and timely project close-out.
• Compile built cost data and benchmarking records for future hyperscale and data center developments.
• Provide leadership aligned with Turner & Townsend’s purpose, values, and vision.
• Coach and mentor team members, foster professional development, and celebrate success.
• Support financial management, including fee forecasting, margin tracking, and internal reporting.
• Implement and maintain internal business management systems and delivery methodologies.
• Model collaboration, service excellence, and a “one business” culture.
• Adhere to applicable SOX control responsibilities.

Benefits

• A healthy, productive, and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.
• An inclusive workplace where employees have the opportunity and voice to affect change.

What This Job Offers

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