Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Company Description

From the inception of a project through to completion and beyond, Turner & Townsend help to deliver the outcomes that matter through transformational projects covering the full spectrum of consultancy, project delivery and post-project operations.  

With offices located globally, you're never far away from our services. With over 22,000 specialists in more than 60 countries, we blend local knowledge with global insight to tackle challenges of any scale.    

Our team is dynamic, innovative and client-focused, supported by an inclusive and fun company culture. Our clients value our proactive approach, depth of expertise, integrity and the quality we deliver. As a result, our people get to enjoy working on some of the most exciting projects in the world. 

Job Description

Turner & Townsend are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to support the delivery of large-scale, mission-critical data center construction program for a key client in Ashburn, Virginia.

This role is responsible for managing the financial and commercial aspects of construction from early planning through project close-out, with a strong emphasis on post-contract cost control, reporting, and stakeholder communication. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in cost management, contract administration, and construction phase oversight across complex infrastructure environments.


Key Responsibilities:
 

Pre-Construction

• Develop detailed cost models and estimates during early design phases, including feasibility and concept development.
• Support procurement strategy development and contract negotiations with general contractors and suppliers.
• Contribute to value engineering and design optioneering efforts to optimize cost without compromising quality.
• Provide market benchmarking and regional cost intelligence to inform project planning.

Construction Phase & Post-Contract

• Manage and monitor project budgets, ensuring alignment with approved funding and cost plans.
• Lead cost control activities including change order evaluation, cost checks, and financial impact analysis.
• Review, validate, and process contractor pay applications, ensuring accuracy and compliance with contract terms.
• Prepare and present monthly cost reports with budget status, risk assessments, and forecasts.
• Track and report on project cash flows, including Construction in Place (CIP) data for finance teams.
• Oversee commercial change management processes and ensure accurate documentation and reconciliation.
• Conduct audits and contingency analysis to manage commercial risks and ensure financial integrity.
• Ensure accurate financial close-out of projects, including vendor settlements and lessons learned documentation.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing, lead negotiations, and validate cost submissions.
• Compile as-built cost records for benchmarking and future portfolio planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in cost management for large-scale construction projects, ideally in data centers or similar mission critical sectors.
• RICS accredited or working towards it is preferred.
• Experience leading cost management on medium or large-sized construction projects of medium to high complexity.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
• Good knowledge of construction industry technical matters, such as different procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.
• Strong understanding of MEP systems and their role in complex construction projects.
• Excellent communication skills.

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 for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com/

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