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 are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager to lead cost management for one of the largest hyperscale AI data center developments in the United States. This multi-phase campus is planned to scale up to multi-gigawatt capacity, integrating advanced energy strategies, fiber connectivity, and carbon capture solutions. The role offers an opportunity to work on a project of unprecedented scale and complexity, supporting AI workloads for leading technology firms.

This position will focus on managing the full lifecycle of cost control for a multi-phase hyperscale campus, including early-stage budgeting, detailed cost planning, procurement strategy, and risk mitigation. This is a client-facing role requiring close collaboration with design teams, contractors, and stakeholders to deliver cost certainty and optimize value across multiple packages and phases.

This role could be based in Boulder, a major hub close to the project site, and will require approximately 50% travel per month (one week on-site in Cheyenne, WY and one week remote) to support project delivery and stakeholder engagement. We provide full travel arrangements and accommodations to ensure a smooth and productive on-site experience.


Responsibilities

• Lead full lifecycle cost management activities on large-scale hyperscale 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.
• Maintain benchmarking data, historical cost records, and lessons learned for continuous improvement.
• Contribute to the enhancement of internal cost management tools, templates, and processes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, vendors, and internal teams.
• Collaborate closely with project managers, architects, engineers, and general contractors to ensure cost control and efficient project execution.
• Participate in risk workshops and proactively identify financial risks, developing mitigation strategies.
• Support preconstruction activities, feasibility studies, and early-stage cost modeling for future phases.
• Coordinate with energy infrastructure partners and understand cost implications of natural gas power strategies, renewable integration, and carbon capture systems.
• Manage cost considerations for fiber connectivity and large-scale land development in remote regions.
• 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., hyperscale data centers, energy infrastructure, industrial).
• 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 and complex building services is beneficial.
• Ability to manage multiple phases and packages concurrently in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts, change management processes, and risk allocation.
• Experience with value engineering and design optimization techniques.

Additional Information

The salary range for this full-time role is $140K-$165K per year. Ranges are determined by role and level and represent a good faith effort to provide a fair and equitable salary. This range is a reflection of base salary only, not of a total compensation package.  Please note Turner & Townsend reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range, depending on candidate’s experience and qualifications.

• *On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's 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/ and https://www.heery.com/

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time. 

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