Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend•Atlanta, GA

35d•Onsite

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking a highly skilled Senior Cost Manager or Quantity Surveyor to drive cost management for a large-scale, mission-critical data center program in the Atlanta, Georgia area, including next-generation facilities designed to support advanced AI and cloud infrastructure. This role is central to ensuring financial control, cost efficiency, and strategic alignment across multi-phase, high-investment projects. You will manage cost planning and control from concept through final account, working closely with internal teams, contractors, and stakeholders to deliver high-value outcomes. The ideal candidate has deep expertise in estimating, procurement, and financial management, with strong knowledge of MEP systems and experience handling complex construction budgets for multi-building campuses. To be successful in this role you must have great communication skills and be comfortable operating in a client-facing role.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field.
5–7+ years of experience in cost management or project controls, ideally within large-scale, mission-critical environments (e.g., data centers, high-tech, industrial).
Strong background in budgeting, financial reporting, cost control systems, and Earned Value Management (EVM).
Expertise in procurement strategies and commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
Proficiency in industry-standard cost management tools and software.

Nice To Haves

Proven experience in construction consultancy is preferred.
RICS accreditation or progress toward certification is advantageous.

Responsibilities

Oversee cost management across all project phases, ensuring alignment with scope, budget, and schedule for hyperscale and AI-driven data center programs.
Develop and maintain detailed cost plans and estimates, leveraging industry benchmarks and technical documentation.
Produce and present monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and financial updates to stakeholders.
Manage change control processes, including review and negotiation of change orders and post-contract cost variances.
Oversee contractor and subcontractor pricing reviews, scope validation, and procurement strategy development.
Collaborate with design teams, general contractors, and vendors to validate cost estimates and perform quantity surveying.
Support cost risk analysis and scenario planning for multi-phase programs.
Monitor market trends and provide insights on escalation, labor availability, and material pricing.
Assist in developing strategies for cost optimization and value engineering.
Coordinate with scheduling teams to align cost forecasts with project timelines.
Drive continuous improvement in cost management practices, supporting standardization and best-in-class delivery.
Mentor junior team members and contribute to a high-performance, collaborative team culture.
Ensure compliance with internal financial systems, regulatory requirements, and SOX controls where applicable.
Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, vendors, and project teams to support successful project delivery.
SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.