Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend • Atlanta, GA

29d • Onsite

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to support hyperscale data center construction projects across the Atlanta metro area. This role offers the opportunity to play a key role on a large-scale, mission-critical data center program. You will be responsible for managing all cost-related aspects of projects from early-stage budgeting through final closeout. In this client-facing role, you will collaborate closely with design teams, contractors, and key stakeholders to ensure effective cost control, risk management, and value optimization across multiple project phases.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or related field.
• 6–10+ years of experience in cost management or project controls, with increasing responsibility.
• Proven experience managing large-scale, mission-critical construction projects (e.g., data centers, high-tech, industrial).
• Expertise in cost planning, budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control systems.
• Strong knowledge of procurement strategies and commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in industry-standard tools and software for cost management.
• Ability to manage multiple phases and packages concurrently in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts, change management processes, and risk allocation.
• Experience with value engineering and design optimization techniques.

Nice To Haves

• RICS accreditation or working toward it is advantageous.
• Familiarity with MEP systems and complex building services is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead full lifecycle cost management activities on large-scale hyperscale data center construction projects, from early-stage budgeting through final account closeout.
• Develop and present detailed cost plans, estimates, and budgets aligned with project scope and client objectives.
• Oversee cost control processes, monitor actuals vs. forecasts, identify variances, and implement corrective actions.
• Review and negotiate change orders, ensuring proper documentation and cost validation.
• Provide strategic advice on procurement strategies, bid analysis, and contractor negotiations.
• Prepare and deliver executive-level cost reports, forecasts, and presentations to clients and senior stakeholders.
• Manage contingency tracking, commitments, and cost impacts across multiple packages or phases.
• Drive value engineering and design optimization initiatives to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Maintain benchmarking data, historical cost records, and lessons learned for continuous improvement.
• Contribute to the enhancement of internal cost management tools, templates, and processes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, vendors, and internal teams.
• Collaborate closely with project managers, architects, engineers, and general contractors to ensure cost control and efficient project execution.
• Participate in risk workshops and proactively identify financial risks, developing mitigation strategies.
• Support preconstruction activities, feasibility studies, and early-stage cost modeling for future phases.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial systems, client-specific requirements, and regulatory controls.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Benefits

• We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.
• We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.

What This Job Offers

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