Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Responsibilities

• Lead cost management and change management activities throughout the full construction lifecycle on medium to large, high‑complexity data center projects.
• Estimate, evaluate, and negotiate change orders, ensuring timely, accurate assessment of cost, schedule, and risk impacts.
• Develop and present cost plans, estimates, and budgets, including final cost plans at key design and construction milestones.
• Review and participate with design teams and general contractors in the development and reconciliation of cost estimates.
• Manage change control processes, including maintaining change logs, contingency drawdowns, commitment tracking, and cost impact reporting.
• Reconcile changes and validate contractor and subcontractor submissions to ensure accuracy and compliance with contractual requirements.
• Communicate regularly with the general contractor and owner's project manager to gather status updates and prepare cost estimate revisions.
• Prepare written commercial reviews of contractor submissions, including executive summaries and risk commentary.
• Coordinate all sources of cost information, including consultant inputs, subcontractor pricing, supplier quotations, and quantities from architects and engineers.
• Inform and drive engineering and design priorities based on cost, constructability, and change implications.
• Work proactively with minimal supervision to resolve commercial, change, and scheduling challenges.
• Manage cost checks, interim valuations, and payment certifications for larger projects.
• Ensure post‑contract cost variances and change management procedures are administered effectively and consistently.
• Prepare funding forecasts and cost reports; coordinate and participate in value engineering (VE) and cost optimization sessions with stakeholders.
• Provide commercial input into design optioneering and value management exercises, particularly in relation to power infrastructure, building systems, and constructability.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing and lead negotiations on behalf of the client to achieve fair and commercially sound outcomes.
• Produce monthly cost reports for client review, clearly articulating cost movements, changes, risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure final accounts are negotiated, agreed, and closed out in a timely manner.
• Compile built cost data and benchmarking records to support future data center and mission‑critical projects.
• Identify, coach, and mentor team members, fostering growth and recognizing performance.
• Demonstrate excellence in leadership and service delivery in line with conditions of appointment.
• Financial management responsibilities, including utilizing internal systems to track fees, margins, and resource forecasts.
• Implement and maintain internal business management systems, delivery methodologies, and tools to ensure consistent best practice.
• Act as a role model in promoting a "one business" culture that balances outcomes for people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related construction discipline.
• 5-7+ years of relevant experience in a cost management or commercial management role within the construction industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading cost and change management on medium to large, technically complex projects, preferably in data centers, mission‑critical facilities, or major infrastructure.
• Construction consultancy background strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of procurement strategies, contract administration, value management, and value engineering.
• Experience implementing and managing formal change control processes and advising clients on commercial risk and mitigation.
• RICS accreditation or working toward chartership preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all stakeholder levels.
• *On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's needs.
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Benefits

Additional Information

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to serve as the key day-to-day client interface for a large-scale, hyperscale data center development in Manassas, Virginia. This role supports the cost and commercial management of a complex, multi‑phased data center program delivered within a fast-paced, mission‑critical environment. To be successful in this position, you must have excellent communication skills and be comfortable operating in a client-facing role. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, commercially astute, and capable of working independently while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams. You will provide leadership and direction while embedding and promoting Turner & Townsend's purpose, values, and vision, delivering consistent, best‑in‑class service across high‑profile mission‑critical programs.

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Company Intel

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