Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction (TI/Fit Out)

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 is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor (TI/Fit Out) to support a large-scale, mission-critical data center program in the Houston, Texas area. This role will serve as the key day-to-day client interface, delivering a value‑added cost management service across interior fit-out and construction activities.

This position is critical to ensuring the project is delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards, with a strong emphasis on commercial rigor, governance, and stakeholder coordination. Regular onsite presence is required.

To be successful in this role, you must have strong communication skills and be comfortable operating in a client-facing environment. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, driven, and able to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team. In this key position, you will provide leadership and direction while embedding and promoting the purpose, values, and vision of Turner & Townsend.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed cost plans and estimates through design and delivery phases, leveraging industry benchmarks and technical documentation.

• Produce and present monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and funding data to stakeholders.

• Coordinate all sources of cost information (design teams, GC, subs, vendor quotes) for robust cost validation and auditing.

• Compile built cost records for benchmarking and continuous improvement.

• Lead procurement strategy development, contractor/subcontractor pricing reviews, scope validation, and commercial negotiations to drive fair contract prices.

• Manage final accounts and ensure timely agreement.

• Own change control throughout the lifecycle: review, estimate, negotiate, and reconcile change orders; manage post‑contract cost variances.

• Support cost risk analysis, scenario planning, contingency management, and commitment tracking.

• Ensure robust cost control systems, including Earned Value Management (EVM) where applicable.

• Integrate cost with schedule and scope, coordinating closely with project controls/scheduling teams.

• Inform and drive engineering priorities based on cost impact; lead value engineering (VE) initiatives and cost optimization strategies.

• Monitor market trends (escalation, labor availability, material pricing) and provide timely insights.

• Act as the primary client interface, ensuring objectives are met and service excellence is delivered.

• Prepare and present executive‑level updates, written comments on GC submissions, and cost estimate updates.

• Ensure adherence to internal Business Management Systems and company delivery methodologies.

• Mentor and coach junior team members; foster a high‑performance, one‑business culture.

• Demonstrate excellence in financial management (margin tracking, monthly fee/resource forecasts) across commissions.

• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Regular onsite presence is required in the Houston, Texas area.

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field.

• 5–7+ years in cost management/project controls within mission‑critical environments (data centers, high‑tech, industrial) and medium to large projects of moderate to high complexity.

• Construction consultancy experience strongly preferred.

• Solid understanding of MEP systems, resilience requirements, and campus-scale infrastructure common to data centers.

• Strong foundation in budgeting, financial reporting, cost control systems, and EVM.

• Expertise in procurement strategies and the commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.

• RICS accreditation or progress toward certification is advantageous.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with high attention to detail.

• Proficiency with industry-standard cost management tools and software.

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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