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. 

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to support a major data center development program in the Milwaukee metro area. This role will act as a key day‑to‑day client interface on a large, multi‑building hyperscale campus.The program includes significant phased development, substantial construction volume, and coordination across design teams, contractors, and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

The successful candidate will be confident interacting directly with clients, project partners, and contractors, and will be comfortable working both independently and as part of a broader delivery team. This position requires strong leadership, solid technical capability, and a commitment to delivering high‑quality cost management services aligned with Turner & Townsend’s standards and values.

• Estimating and negotiating change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
• Provide estimate and cost planning, including producing and presenting final cost plans.
• Review and participate with design teams and general contractors in developing cost estimates.
• Reconcile changes and support the general contractor to ensure accurate cost data.
• Communicate with the contractor and client PM to gather updates and produce revised cost estimates.
• Prepare written commentary on contractor submissions, including executive summaries.
• Coordinate cost information from design teams, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Provide guidance to help inform engineering priorities based on cost impacts.
• Work proactively with minimal supervision to resolve scheduling and coordination issues.
• Manage cost checks and valuations on large‑scale projects; ensure timely, accurate validation.
• Participate in post‑contract cost variance reviews and change control processes.
• Oversee contingency usage, cost impacts, and commitment tracking.
• Prepare funding data and support value engineering sessions with stakeholders.
• Develop cost plans and estimates through all design phases, with updates at key milestones.
• Provide commercial guidance for design optioneering and value engineering exercises.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing; lead client‑side commercial negotiations.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost control, and change management duties throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure post‑contract cost variances, audits, and valuations are managed effectively.
• Produce monthly cost reports for client presentation.
• Ensure timely negotiation and agreement of final accounts.
• Compile built cost data for benchmarking.
• Mentor and develop team members; support strong delivery culture.
• Track fees, margins, and forecasts in internal systems; support financial management for commissions.
• Implement Turner & Townsend methodologies and delivery tools across the team.
• Act as a role model for a one‑business culture and high‑quality service delivery.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5–7 years' relevant experience in construction cost management.
• Experience supporting large, complex, multi‑building construction programs, preferably campus‑style developments.
• Experience working on fast‑paced projects with phased delivery and multiple stakeholder groups.
• Strong understanding of cost drivers and commercial frameworks commonly associated with ground‑up mega‑scale construction.
• RICS accreditation (or working toward it) preferred.
• Experience leading cost management on medium to large construction projects of moderate to high complexity.
• Construction consultancy experience strongly preferred.
• Solid understanding of procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.
• Excellent communication skills.

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

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.