Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to serve as the primary day-to-day client interface for a large-scale, hyperscale data center development in Berkeley County, West Virginia.

This role requires a strong on-site lead who will be based in West Virginia and is open to traveling to Manassas, VA approximately 25% of the time (typically one week per month).

The project involves the delivery of multiple high-capacity data center facilities and associated mission-critical infrastructure. The selected candidate will provide commercial leadership and cost governance across the full project lifecycle, ensuring client objectives are met through a value-added cost management service. The role demands a confident, client-facing professional capable of working independently while collaborating closely with designers, engineers, contractors, and the client's project leadership team.

Responsibilities:

• Lead cost planning, estimating, and commercial management for large-scale hyperscale data center facilities, including core & shell buildings, substations, site infrastructure, and supporting utilities.
• Develop, present, and maintain detailed cost plans and estimates at key design milestones.
• Manage change control, cost variances, and contingency strategy throughout the construction lifecycle.
• Evaluate cost impacts related to power infrastructure, energy capacity, and AI-ready design requirements, informing engineering priorities accordingly.
• Perform cost checks, valuations, commitment tracking, and reconciliation of contractor and subcontractor data to ensure financial accuracy and transparency.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing, lead negotiations, and drive fair and commercially sound outcomes for the client.
• Estimate and negotiate change orders associated with design development, authority requirements, and infrastructure upgrades.
• Participate in value engineering and commercial optioneering exercises, balancing performance, sustainability, and cost certainty.
• Act as the primary point of contact for the client on all cost and commercial matters.
• Coordinate with the design team, general contractor, and suppliers to gather status data and produce accurate cost updates.
• Prepare written commercial reports, including monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and funding presentations for senior stakeholders.
• Support VE workshops and funding approvals associated with phased development and future expansion.
• Ensure robust cost auditing, valuation, and financial control processes are in place.
• Manage post-contract cost reporting, final account negotiations, and close-out in a timely manner.
• Compile built cost data and benchmarking records for future hyperscale and data center developments.
• Provide leadership aligned with Turner & Townsend's purpose, values, and vision.
• Coach and mentor team members, fostering professional development and celebrating success.
• Support financial management activities including fee forecasting, margin tracking, and internal reporting.
• Implement and maintain internal business management systems and delivery methodologies.
• Act as a role model for collaboration, service excellence, and "one business" culture.
• 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 a related discipline.
• 57+ years of relevant cost management experience within the construction industry.
• Proven experience leading cost management on medium to large, high-complexity projects, ideally including data centers, mission-critical facilities, or major infrastructure.
• Construction consultancy background strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of procurement strategies, value management, and value engineering.
• RICS accreditation or working toward chartership preferred.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage confidently at all stakeholder levels.

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.