Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend•Frederick, MD

19h•$140,000 - $160,000•Remote

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to serve as the primary client-facing cost management lead for a large-scale, mission-critical data center program. The role supports a major data center campus in Frederick, Maryland, and is open to candidates located anywhere on the East Coast who have data center cost management experience. The position is primarily remote, with required travel to the project site for key activities, approximately 3–4 days per month. Approved business travel and mileage are reimbursed. On-site requirements may change depending on client needs. The successful candidate will help ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget through robust commercial controls, cost planning, forecasting, procurement, change management, and stakeholder engagement. The role includes client interface and executive reporting, collaboration with project controls and scheduling teams, and mentoring junior team members. Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in a related field and 5–7+ years of cost management experience supporting mission-critical data center projects. The listed base salary range is $140,000–$160,000. Employees may also be eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation depends on experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field.
5–7+ years of cost management experience supporting mission-critical data center projects.
Strong expertise in cost planning, forecasting, change management, procurement, and project controls.
Ability to travel to the Frederick, Maryland project site for major project activities and periodic on-site support, approximately 3–4 days per month minimum.
Solid understanding of MEP systems, resilience considerations, and campus-scale infrastructure common to hyperscale developments.
Strong foundation in budgeting, financial reporting, cost control systems, and Earned Value Management.
Expertise in procurement strategies and commercial management of contractor and vendor contracts.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities and high attention to detail.
Proficiency with industry-standard cost management tools and software.
Ability to work effectively in a remote environment while maintaining strong engagement with on-site project teams and stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Construction consultancy experience.
RICS accreditation or progress toward certification.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain detailed cost plans and estimates through design and delivery, using industry benchmarks and technical documentation.
Produce and present monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and funding data to stakeholders.
Coordinate cost information from design teams, general contractors, subcontractors, and vendors for cost validation and auditing.
Compile built cost records for benchmarking and continuous improvement.
Lead procurement strategy development, contractor and subcontractor pricing reviews, scope validation, and commercial negotiations.
Manage final accounts and ensure timely agreement.
Own lifecycle change control by reviewing, estimating, negotiating, and reconciling change orders, and managing post-contract cost variances.
Support cost risk analysis, scenario planning, contingency management, and commitment tracking.
Maintain robust cost control systems, including Earned Value Management where applicable.
Integrate cost with schedule and scope in coordination with project controls and scheduling teams.
Inform engineering priorities based on cost impact and lead value engineering and cost optimization initiatives.
Monitor market trends, including escalation, labor availability, and material pricing, and provide timely insights.
Act as the primary client interface, ensuring objectives are met and service excellence is delivered.
Prepare and present executive-level updates, written comments on general contractor submissions, and cost estimate revisions.
Ensure adherence to internal Business Management Systems and company delivery methodologies.
Mentor and coach junior team members and foster a high-performance, one-business culture.
Manage financial performance, including margin tracking and monthly fee and resource forecasting.
Adhere to applicable SOX control responsibilities.