Senior Cost / Quantity Surveyor Manager – Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend•Dallas, TX

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager to drive cost management activities for a major hyperscale data center development. This program involves large-scale land development and new-build campuses designed to support advanced, AI-ready infrastructure with high-density compute environments, renewable energy integration, and robust connectivity solutions. As a Senior Cost Manager, you will oversee the full lifecycle of cost management for these complex, multi-billion-dollar projects, from early-stage budgeting and feasibility studies through final account closeout. You will develop and present detailed cost plans, manage change orders, and provide strategic advice on procurement and risk mitigation. This role requires expertise in cost planning, forecasting, and value engineering, along with the ability to collaborate across design, construction, and energy infrastructure teams to ensure alignment between scope, budget, and schedule.

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., hyperscale data centers, energy infrastructure, 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.
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.
Ability to manage multiple phases and packages concurrently in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Lead full project control cost management activities on large-scale hyperscale data center construction projects, from GMP / bid review through to final account closeout.
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.
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.
SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.