Senior 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 is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager to oversee cost management on complex data center projects in the rapidly growing Atlanta market. This is an exciting opportunity to work on large-scale, mission-critical facilities that enable advanced technologies.

As a Senior Cost Manager, you will take ownership of cost planning, estimating, procurement, and reporting throughout the project lifecycle. You’ll provide strategic guidance to clients, mentor junior team members, and ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget. Strong leadership, analytical skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders are essential.

Responsibilities:

• Manage full lifecycle cost management activities on major data center construction projects, from early-stage budgeting through final account closeout.
• Develop and present detailed cost plans, estimates, and budgets aligned with project scope and client objectives.
• Oversee cost control processes, monitor actuals vs. forecasts, identify variances, and implement corrective actions.
• Review and negotiate change orders, ensuring proper documentation and cost validation.
• Provide strategic advice on procurement strategies, bid analysis, and contractor negotiations.
• Prepare and deliver executive-level cost reports, forecasts, and presentations to clients and senior stakeholders.
• Manage contingency tracking, commitments, and cost impacts across multiple packages or phases.
• Drive value engineering and design optimization initiatives to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial systems, client-specific requirements, and regulatory controls.
• Maintain benchmarking data, historical cost records, and lessons learned for continuous improvement.
• Mentor and support junior cost management staff, fostering professional development.
• Contribute to the enhancement of internal cost management tools, templates, and processes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, vendors, and internal teams.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or related field.
• 6–10+ years of experience in cost management or project controls, with increasing responsibility.
• Proven experience managing large-scale, mission-critical construction projects (e.g., data centers, high-tech, industrial).
• Consultancy experience strongly preferred.
• Expertise in cost planning, budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control systems.
• Strong knowledge of procurement strategies and commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.
• RICS accreditation or working toward it is advantageous.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in industry-standard tools and software for cost management.
• Familiarity with MEP systems is beneficial.

Additional Information

*On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our clients' 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 f