Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

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 are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to serve as a key day‑to‑day client interface, ensuring objectives are met through the delivery of a high‑value cost management service on a major data center development in Columbia County, Pennsylvania.

This role requires a strong on‑site presence to support project delivery, and a per diem is available to support travel and accommodation needs.

The ideal candidate is a strong communicator, self‑driven, confident operating in a client‑facing environment, and capable of working independently while contributing to a collaborative team. You will provide leadership, direction, and consistent delivery aligned with Turner & Townsend’s purpose, values, and vision.

Responsibilities:

• Estimate and negotiate change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
• Provide estimating and cost planning, including producing and presenting final cost plans.
• Review and collaborate with design teams and general contractors in developing cost estimates.
• Reconcile cost changes and support general contractor data accuracy.
• Gather project status updates to prepare cost estimate revisions.
• Prepare written commentary on contractor submissions, including executive summaries.
• Coordinate all sources of cost data, including suppliers, subcontractors, and design teams.
• Advise on engineering priorities based on cost impact.
• Work proactively with minimal supervision to resolve scheduling‑related issues.
• Manage cost checks and valuations on large projects, ensuring timely and accurate reporting.
• Participate in post‑contract cost variance analysis and change control processes.
• Maintain cost impact logs, contingency management, and commitment tracking.
• Prepare funding presentations and coordinate value‑engineering sessions.
• Develop cost plans and estimates at design milestones.
• Provide commercial input for design optioneering and value engineering exercises.
• Review contractor/subcontractor pricing and lead negotiations to achieve fair contract values.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost control, and change management throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure robust cost auditing, valuation, and cost validation processes.
• Produce monthly cost reports for client presentation.
• Ensure timely negotiation and agreement of final accounts.
• Compile built‑cost records for benchmarking purposes.
• Identify, coach, and mentor team members.
• Demonstrate excellence in leadership and service delivery in line with commission requirements.
• Manage financial performance using internal tools for margin tracking and forecasting.
• Implement internal business management systems and delivery methodologies for consistent best‑practice execution.
• Promote a one‑business culture focused on balanced outcomes for people, clients, and stakeholders.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

 

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or related construction field.
• 5–7+ years of cost management experience within the construction industry.
• RICS accreditation (or working toward accreditation) preferred.
• Experience leading cost management on medium to large, complex construction projects.
• Strong construction consultancy experience is highly preferred.
• Solid understanding of construction procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.
• Excellent communication skills.

Additional Information

*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.

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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.