Senior Cost Manager (Preconstruction) - Data Center Construction
About The Position
Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager to serve as a trusted advisor and key client interface, leading preconstruction cost management for a major mission-critical campus development. The role focuses on cost planning, benchmarking, design-phase cost management, procurement support, conceptual estimating, and value engineering across multiple concurrent projects. The successful candidate will work with clients, designers, contractors, and other stakeholders to provide commercial guidance throughout planning and design, support informed decision-making, drive cost certainty, and manage project budgets. The role also includes mentoring junior staff and supporting the company’s delivery methodologies and practices. On-site presence and requirements may change depending on client needs. The stated base salary range is $130,000–$160,000 USD; employees may also be eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
- At least 6 years of experience in estimating, preconstruction, cost management, quantity surveying, or commercial management.
- Demonstrated experience developing conceptual through detailed construction estimates for large-scale construction projects.
- Experience supporting projects through planning, design, procurement, and preconstruction phases.
- Strong understanding of cost planning, benchmarking, escalation analysis, estimating, and contingency management.
- Experience leading value engineering and design-phase cost optimization initiatives.
- Experience evaluating contractor budgets, GMPs, bids, and procurement strategies.
- Strong analytical and financial modeling skills, including advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, including presenting cost information to executive stakeholders and clients.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with mission-critical, data center, advanced technology, semiconductor, life sciences, or similarly complex construction projects.
- Experience working in a client-facing consulting environment.
- Professional certification such as MRICS, PQS, CCP, CEP, or similar.
Responsibilities
- Lead preconstruction and cost planning from concept through design development and procurement.
- Develop, maintain, and present detailed cost plans, estimates, and budgets at key design milestones.
- Review designs and provide cost feedback, identifying cost drivers, risks, opportunities, and optimization strategies.
- Support design teams with cost-informed decision-making throughout preconstruction.
- Prepare conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction document estimates.
- Perform cost analyses using historical benchmarking data and market intelligence.
- Coordinate and consolidate cost information from architects, engineers, contractors, suppliers, and specialty consultants.
- Lead value engineering and design optioneering exercises to maximize value while maintaining scope and quality objectives.
- Prepare funding requests, business case support documentation, and executive-level cost presentations.
- Review contractor budgets, GMPs, and procurement packages for accuracy and commercial alignment.
- Analyze market conditions, escalation trends, labor availability, and material pricing impacts.
- Establish and maintain cost benchmarks and cost databases for future project planning.
- Manage contingency planning and cost risk assessments throughout project development.
- Support procurement strategy development and contractor selection processes.
- Review contractor and subcontractor pricing proposals and support commercial negotiations on behalf of the client.
- Prepare and deliver cost reports, estimate reconciliations, and executive summaries for client leadership.
- Partner with project stakeholders to keep scope, schedule, and budget aligned throughout preconstruction.
- Mentor junior cost management staff and contribute to team development and knowledge sharing.
- Support implementation of Turner & Townsend delivery methodologies, tools, and best practices.
- Adhere to applicable SOX control responsibilities.
Benefits
- Employees may be eligible for bonuses.
- Comprehensive benefits package.
- Flexible working environment that supports work-life balance.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
