Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to serve as the day-to-day client interface on a major, mission-critical hyperscale data center construction project. The role delivers cost management services to meet client objectives and provides leadership and direction while promoting Turner & Townsend’s purpose, values, and vision. The successful candidate will be comfortable in a client-facing role, communicate effectively, work independently and collaboratively, and resolve issues proactively with minimal supervision. The role is based in Chicago and requires regular travel to project sites in Minooka, Illinois, approximately 58 miles from downtown Chicago. Candidates should be comfortable commuting to support on-site project activities as needed. On-site presence and requirements may change depending on client needs. The position covers cost planning, estimating, quantity surveying, cost controls, change management, valuations, commercial advice, reporting, and final account negotiations across the project lifecycle. It also includes client and contractor engagement, financial management of commissions, implementation of company delivery systems, and coaching and mentoring colleagues. The base salary range is $135,000–$165,000 USD. Employees may also be eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package. Turner & Townsend describes its work environment as healthy, productive, flexible, and respectful of work-life balance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a construction-related field.
At least 5–7 years of relevant experience in a construction-industry cost management role.
Experience leading cost management on medium or large construction projects of medium to high complexity.
Good knowledge of construction-industry technical matters, including procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.
Excellent communication skills.
Comfort operating in a client-facing role and working independently as well as part of a team.
Comfort commuting to project sites in Minooka, Illinois, as needed.

Nice To Haves

RICS accreditation or working toward RICS accreditation.
Construction consultancy experience.
Experience supporting data center, mission-critical, industrial, or similar large-scale infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

Estimate and negotiate change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
Provide estimates and cost planning, including producing and presenting the final cost plan.
Review and participate with the design services team and general contractor in developing cost estimates.
Reconcile changes and help ensure the general contractor’s cost data is accurate.
Gather project status information from the general contractor and owner’s project manager to prepare cost estimate updates.
Prepare written comments on general contractor submissions, including executive summaries.
Coordinate cost information from sources including NPA, subcontractors, and A/Es for cost discussions.
Inform and drive engineering priorities based on cost impact.
Proactively resolve scheduling issues with minimal supervision.
Manage cost checks and valuations on larger projects and complete cost checking and valuation processes accurately and on time.
Manage post-contract cost variances and change control processes.
Manage cost impacts, contingencies, and commitment-tracking logs.
Prepare funding data presentations and coordinate value engineering sessions with stakeholders.
Develop cost plans and estimates during design and deliver updated plans at appropriate design milestones.
Provide commercial input to design optioneering and value engineering exercises.
Review contractor and subcontractor pricing and lead client-side negotiations to achieve fair contract prices.
Perform quantity surveying, cost controls, and change management throughout the project lifecycle.
Ensure cost auditing and valuation work is managed effectively and robust cost validation processes are in place.
Produce monthly cost reports for presentation to the client.
Negotiate and agree final accounts in a timely manner.
Compile built-cost estimate records for benchmarking.
Identify, coach, and mentor talent and celebrate others’ success.
Provide leadership and service delivery in accordance with commission appointment conditions.
Track commission margin levels and monthly fee and resource forecasts using internal software, and prepare financial reports.
Implement and maintain internal Business Management Systems, delivery methodologies, and tools to support consistent best-practice delivery.
Model a one-business culture that balances the needs of people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
Adhere to applicable SOX control responsibilities.