Senior Cost Manager - Data Center Construction - job 1 of 8

Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries. 

Working with our clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, we transform together delivering outcomes that improve people’s lives. Working in partnership makes it possible to deliver the world’s most impactful projects and programmes as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success. 

Our capabilities include programme, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions. 

We are majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with our partners holding a significant minority interest. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide clients with the premier programme, project and cost management offering in markets around the world. 

Turner & Townsend is seeking a highly skilled Senior Cost Manager (or Quantity Surveyor) to lead cost management efforts on complex, mission-critical data center construction projects. This role is client-facing and central to ensuring financial success, cost efficiency, and alignment with strategic project goals.

You will oversee cost planning and control from concept design through final account, collaborating with internal teams, external partners, and clients to deliver high-value outcomes. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in estimating, procurement, and financial management, with a strong understanding of MEP systems and large-scale construction budgets.

This is a hybrid role with regular on-site visits required approximately 35 miles west of North Chicago.


Responsibilities: 

• Lead cost management across all project phases, ensuring alignment with scope, budget, and schedule.
• Develop and maintain detailed cost plans and estimates, leveraging industry benchmarks and technical documentation.
• Manage change control processes, including review and negotiation of change orders and post-contract cost variances.
• Collaborate with design teams, general contractors, and vendors to validate cost estimates and perform quantity surveying.
• Produce and present monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and financial updates to stakeholders.
• Oversee contractor and subcontractor pricing reviews, scope validation, and procurement strategy development.
• Drive continuous improvement in cost management practices, supporting standardization and best-in-class delivery.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to a high-performance, collaborative team culture.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial systems, regulatory requirements, and SOX controls where applicable.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, vendors, and project teams to support successful project delivery.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field.
• 5–7+ years of experience in cost management or project controls, ideally within large-scale, mission-critical environments (e.g., data centers, high-tech, industrial).
• Proven experience in construction consultancy is preferred.
• Strong background in budgeting, financial reporting, cost control systems, and Earned Value Management (EVM).
• Expertise in procurement strategies and commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.
• RICS accreditation or progress toward certification is advantageous.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in industry-standard cost management tools and software.

The salary range for this full-time role is $130K-$150K per year. Ranges are determined by role and level and represent a good faith effort to provide a fair and equitable salary. This range is a reflection of base salary only, not of a total compensation package.  Please note Turner & Townsend reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range, depending on candidate’s experience and qualifications.

*On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's needs*

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. 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. 

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com/

Turner & Townsend does not accept any speculative or unsolicited CV’s that have been sent to our internal recruitment team or hiring managers from agencies outside of our preferred supplier list or that have not followed due process. Any speculative or unsolicited CV’s will be treated as a direct application.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
 

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It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time. 

Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted through our website or to Turner & Townsend personal e-mail accounts, are considered property of Turner & Townsend and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorised Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Turner & Townsend, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by the Recruitment Team, to submit candidates for review.