Senior Cost Manager - 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 a Senior Cost Manager to support cost governance and commercial management for a large-scale, multi-phase data center development program onsite in Conesville, Ohio. This role will focus on cost planning, budgeting, procurement support, and risk management across multiple packages and phases, ensuring compliance with program objectives. You will deliver accurate reporting, assist with procurement and contracting strategies, and contribute to value engineering initiatives to optimize design and reduce costs.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience in cost management for complex construction programs, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders. You will work closely with leadership teams, support junior staff development, and help drive best practices throughout the project lifecycle.

Responsibilities: 

• Act as the day-to-day client interface, maintaining clear communication and building strong relationships with clients, contractors, and vendors.
• Manage cost planning and budgeting for multi-phase data center projects, ensuring alignment with governance and compliance standards.
• Develop and maintain detailed cost plans and estimates throughout the design phase, updating at key milestones.
• Prepare and present final cost plans, monthly cost reports, forecasts, and funding data presentations.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing, lead negotiations, and ensure fair contract pricing.
• Estimate and negotiate change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
• Manage cost checks, valuations, and change control processes, including contingency tracking and commitment logs.
• Reconcile changes and validate contractor data for accuracy.
• Coordinate all sources of cost information for cost discussions, including suppliers, subcontractors, and design teams.
• Provide commercial input to design optioneering and lead value engineering sessions to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost controls, and risk management across multiple packages and phases.
• Ensure robust cost auditing and validation processes are in place.
• Support procurement strategy development and contract administration.
• Participate in preconstruction activities, feasibility studies, and early-stage cost modeling for future phases.
• Compile built cost estimate records for benchmarking purposes.
• Mentor and coach junior team members, promoting capability growth and succession planning.
• Support continuous improvement by contributing to internal tools, templates, and process enhancements.
• Utilize internal systems for margin tracking, fee/resource forecasting, and compliance with Business Management Systems (BMS).
• Implement and maintain company delivery methodologies and tools for consistent best practice.
• 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.
• 7+ years of experience in cost management or quantity surveying, ideally in construction consultancy.
• Proven experience managing medium-to-large, complex construction projects (hyperscale data centers, industrial, energy infrastructure).
• Strong knowledge of cost planning, budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control systems.
• Familiarity with procurement strategies, commercial management, and construction contracts.
• RICS accreditation or working toward it preferred.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention t