Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend • Frederick, MD

3d • $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 supporting a campus in Frederick, Maryland. The role is primarily remote and open to candidates anywhere on the East Coast who can travel to the project site for key activities, with an expected onsite presence of approximately 3–4 days per month. Approved business travel and mileage expenses are reimbursed.

The position oversees cost management across project design and delivery, including cost planning, estimating, forecasting, procurement, commercial management, change control, cost risk, reporting, and financial controls. The successful candidate will work closely with clients, design and construction teams, project controls, and scheduling teams; provide executive-level updates; and help align engineering priorities with cost impacts. The role also includes mentoring junior team members and supporting company delivery and business management systems.

The 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. Turner & Townsend promotes a flexible working environment that respects work-life balance and is an equal opportunity employer.

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 events and periodic onsite 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 (EVM).
• 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 a high attention to detail.
• Proficiency with industry-standard cost management tools and software.
• Ability to work effectively remotely while maintaining strong engagement with onsite project teams and stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
• RICS accreditation or progress toward certification is advantageous.

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.
• Develop procurement strategies; review contractor and subcontractor pricing; validate scope; and conduct commercial negotiations.
• Manage final accounts and ensure timely agreement.
• Lead change control throughout the project lifecycle, including 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 (EVM) where applicable.
• Integrate cost with schedule and scope in coordination with project controls and scheduling teams.
• Inform engineering priorities based on cost impacts 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 and ensure client objectives and service expectations are met.
• Prepare and present executive-level updates, written comments on general contractor submissions, and cost estimate revisions.
• Adhere 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.
• Travel to the Frederick, Maryland, project site for major project activities and periodic onsite support, approximately 3–4 days per month minimum.

Benefits

• Eligible employees may receive bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package.
• Approved business travel expenses are reimbursed.
• Mileage reimbursement is provided.
• The company promotes a flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.

What This Job Offers

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