Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

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 looking for a Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to join our Chicago data center team and support a massive new data center construction project. The ideal candidate will be driven and promote our Turner & Townsend purpose and values.

The role will be based in the Chicago area and will support one of the largest construction programs in Michigan’s history, involving multiple large‑scale facilities and significant regional development activity. Monthly travel to the project site in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area is required.

This role will provide full‑lifecycle cost management across a major, multi‑building campus program, coordinating estimating, procurement, cost control, reporting, and final account closeout on a high‑value, complex construction portfolio.

Responsibilities:

• Advise the client on procurement and contracting strategies tailored to large‑scale data center construction.

• Manage vendor prequalification, evaluate bids and proposals, prepare bid leveling, and make final recommendations.

• Lead and participate in vendor interviews, support contract negotiation, and oversee the appointment process.

• Develop detailed construction cost estimates for large data center facilities, including structure, fit‑out, MEP, sitework, and associated costs.

• Review and refine estimates prepared by junior team members, ensuring accuracy and alignment with benchmark data.

• Present estimates, value engineering options, and risk assessments to the client.

• Engage with contractors and suppliers to validate cost inputs and challenge assumptions where needed.

• Establish and maintain the cost reporting schedule for the program.

• Prepare, review, and present cost reports, cash flow forecasts, and budget updates.

• Maintain and update the commercial risk register and support regular cost review meetings with the broader project team.

• Benchmark performance and costs against similar data center commissions.

• Review and assess contractor payment applications, collaborating closely with project managers to determine entitlement.

• Evaluate change order requests, negotiate cost impacts, and prepare recommendations for client approval.

• Use dispute avoidance and resolution procedures to support smooth financial administration and mitigate potential conflicts.

• Manage and monitor invoicing processes for accuracy and compliance.

• Lead the final accounting process, post‑contract audits, and financial closeout activities.

• Conduct post‑contract reviews with the client and prepare lessons‑learned documentation.

• Develop and refine procedures governing handover and closeout of major construction packages.

• Utilize key tools, including bid analysis sheets, change control forms, takeoff software, and cost‑estimating systems to support all cost management functions.

• 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 field related to construction.

• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant cost management experience in the construction industry.

• RICS accredited or working towards it is valuable.

• Experience supporting cost management on medium or large‑sized construction projects.

• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.

• Good knowledge of construction industry technical matters, such as different procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.

• Strong communication skills.

Additional Information

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

The salary range for this role is $100K-$130 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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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.