Senior Cost Manager - Data Center Construction - job 1 of 6

From the inception of a project through to completion and beyond, Turner & Townsend help to deliver the outcomes that matter through transformational projects covering the full spectrum of consultancy, project delivery and post-project operations.  

With offices located globally, you're never far away from our services. With over 22,000 specialists in more than 60 countries, we blend local knowledge with global insight to tackle challenges of any scale.    

Our team is dynamic, innovative and client-focused, supported by an inclusive and fun company culture. Our clients value our proactive approach, depth of expertise, integrity and the quality we deliver. As a result, our people get to enjoy working on some of the most exciting projects in the world. 

Turner & Townsend is seeking a skilled Senior Cost Manager or Quantity Surveyor to lead cost management on complex, mission-critical data center projects. You’ll serve as the primary client contact, ensuring financial success and alignment with project goals.

You’ll oversee cost planning from concept through final account, collaborating with internal teams and external partners to drive value and efficiency. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in estimating, procurement, and financial management, with the ability to interpret technical documentation and manage large-scale budgets. Experience with MEP systems and strong commercial negotiation skills are highly valued.

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


Responsibilities: 

• Lead cost management efforts, provide detailed estimating and cost planning, and ensure alignment with project scope and budget.
• Review and negotiate change orders, manage post-contract cost variances, and ensure effective change control processes.
• Collaborate with design teams and general contractors to develop and validate cost estimates; perform quantity surveying and cost validation.
• Produce monthly cost reports, prepare and present cost updates and executive summaries, and analyze project costs and changes.
• Lead contractor and subcontractor pricing reviews and negotiations; review and approve scopes of work; manage procurement strategies.
• Develop and maintain best practices for cost-effective solutions; support standardization and continuous improvement of estimating and cost management processes.
• Mentor junior team members, contribute to a high-performance culture, and demonstrate leadership in service delivery.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial systems and regulatory requirements.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including clients, vendors, and project teams.
• 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 relevant experience in cost-focused project controls or cost management.
• Experience with large-scale, mission-critical construction projects (e.g., data centers, high-tech, industrial).
• Construction consultancy experience is preferred.:
• Strong background in cost management, budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control systems.
• Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM) principles.
• Experience with procurement strategies and commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.
• RICS accreditation or working toward it is advantageous.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and negotiation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in industry-standard tools and software for cost management.

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.