Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

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 programs as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success. 

Our capabilities include program, 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 program, project and cost management offering in markets around the world.

Job Description

Turner & Townsend is seeking a Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to lead commercial strategy and cost governance for a large, multi‑phase data center development program in the Chicago, IL area. 

As a senior leader, you will act as a trusted advisor to key stakeholders, steering cost planning, procurement strategy, risk management, and value engineering to ensure the program is delivered with commercial rigor and consistent governance.

Travel or Relocation

• For candidates traveling from farther away, the client will cover necessary travel costs.
• Relocation assistance is available for those interested in moving closer to the project location.

Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership for cost management across a multi‑phase data center program, ensuring governance, compliance, and alignment with organizational standards.
• Develop and implement cost strategies, frameworks, and reporting structures for multi‑billion‑dollar budgets, including early‑stage budgeting, detailed cost planning, procurement strategy, and risk mitigation.
• Serve as the primary client interface, maintaining strong communication with stakeholders and consultants throughout all project stages.
• Advise senior stakeholders on commercial strategy, procurement models, and contract negotiations for complex construction packages.
• Oversee full lifecycle cost management, including quantity surveying, cost controls, change management, and contingency tracking.
• Lead executive‑level reporting, presenting cost performance, forecasts, and risk assessments.
• Drive value engineering and design optimization initiatives to identify cost‑saving opportunities.
• Mentor and develop cost management teams, supporting capability growth and succession planning.
• Contribute to improvements in internal cost management tools, templates, and processes.
• Manage financial performance, including margin tracking, fee/resource forecasting, and compliance with Business Management Systems (BMS).
• Support preconstruction activities, feasibility studies, and early‑stage cost modeling for future phases.
• Build strong relationships with clients, contractors, and vendors, identifying opportunities for business growth and cross‑selling.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

 

• Able to work on‑site in the Coal City, IL area with hybrid flexibility; travel, or relocation support available.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 5-7+ years of cost management or project controls experience.
• Proven experience managing large‑scale, mission‑critical, or industrial construction programs.
• Expertise in cost planning, budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control systems at a program level.
• Strong knowledge of procurement strategies, commercial management, and construction contracts, including risk and change management.
• RICS accreditation or similar professional certification strongly preferred.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and negotiation skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Advanced analytical skills with strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency in industry‑standard cost management tools and software.
• Ability to manage multiple phases and packages concurrently in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience with value engineering and design optimization methodologies.

Additional Information

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

The base salary range for this role is $135K-$160K USD. This range reflects the company's good faith estimate of the base salary for this position at the time of the posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, skills,

qualifications

, and internal equity. In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package.

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.

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