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 a Cost Manager or Quantity Surveyor to support 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 cloud computing and advanced technologies.

You’ll collaborate with clients, contractors, and internal teams to deliver projects on time and within budget. This role involves cost planning, estimating, procurement, and reporting throughout the project lifecycle. It is ideal for someone with strong cost control experience looking to grow into a senior position. Excellent analytical skills and the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders are key.

Responsibilities: 

• Manage the full lifecycle of cost management activities on major data center construction projects, from early-stage budgeting through final account closeout.
• Prepare detailed cost plans, estimates, and budgets aligned with project scope and client expectations.
• Monitor and manage project costs, track actuals vs. forecasts, identify variances, and recommend corrective actions.
• Review and negotiate change orders, ensuring proper documentation and cost validation.
• Collaborate with design consultants, engineers, and contractors to validate cost estimates and ensure alignment with design intent.
• Prepare and present regular cost reports, forecasts, and executive summaries to stakeholders.
• Track contingency usage, commitments, and cost impacts across multiple packages or phases.
• Participate in procurement activities, including bid analysis, scope reviews, and contractor negotiations.
• Maintain benchmarking data, historical cost records, and lessons learned for future planning.
• Contribute to value engineering and design optimization exercises to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial systems, client-specific requirements, and applicable regulatory controls.
• Support development and improvement 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.
• 3–6 years of experience in cost-focused project controls or cost management.
• Experience with large-scale, mission-critical construction projects (e.g., data centers, high-tech, industrial).
• Consultancy experience preferred.
• Strong background in cost management, budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control systems.
• Experience with procurement strategies and commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.
• RICS accreditation or working toward it is advantageous.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and negotiation skills.
• Strong 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 emplo