Cost Manager - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

A global professional services company is seeking a Cost Manager for a data center expansion in North Carolina. This mid-senior level role requires a bachelor's degree and 4+ years in cost management within construction. Responsibilities include cost estimation, budgeting, and monitoring expenses. The position offers a hybrid work schedule, with three days onsite and two days remote. Strong communication, analytical skills, and familiarity with cost planning tools are essential for success.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in estimating, cost management or project controls within construction.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Understanding of construction methods and cost structures; MEP knowledge is a plus.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with cost planning tools and software (CostX, Bluebeam, Procore or similar).
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Support cost management activities across the project lifecycle.
• Prepare and maintain cost plans and budgets.
• Monitor actual costs against forecasts and track variances.
• Review and validate change orders ensuring compliance.
• Prepare cost reports and financial summaries.
• Prepare cost reports and financial summaries for stakeholders.
• Contribute to procurement support, bid analysis and contract administration.
• Maintain compliance with internal systems and client requirements.
• Build strong relationships with clients, contractors and internal teams to ensure successful delivery.
• Coordinate with project controls and scheduling teams to align cost forecasts with progress updates.
• Support risk and contingency tracking, ensuring accurate reporting and mitigation strategies.
• Assist in benchmarking and maintaining historical cost data for continuous improvement.
• Participate in stakeholder meetings, providing clear and concise cost updates.
• Help implement cost management tools and processes to improve efficiency across the program.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Skills

Cost management

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Collaboration

Client facing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering or a related field

Construction Management

Engineering

Tools

CostX

Bluebeam

Procore

Job description

Join to apply for the Cost Manager - Data Center Construction role at Turner & Townsend. This opportunity is for a construction professional with cost management skills to contribute to a major data center expansion project in North Carolina. The role offers a hybrid work schedule, requiring three days per week onsite at the project location in Maiden, NC (approximately 35 miles south of Charlotte), and two days remotely.

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. Our capabilities include program, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions.

Job Description

We are looking for a construction professional with cost management skills who can operate in a client‑facing environment. This position is ideal for someone with a background in project engineering or early‑to‑mid‑stage cost management ready to take the next step in their career. To be successful you must have great communication skills and be comfortable operating in a client‑facing role.

Responsibilities

• Support cost management activities across the project lifecycle, focusing on estimating, budgeting and cost control during construction.
• Prepare and maintain cost plans and budgets aligned with project objectives.
• Assist with cost analysis, value engineering and identification of cost‑saving opportunities.
• Monitor actual costs against forecasts, track variances and support corrective actions.
• Review and validate change orders and variations, ensuring compliance with contractual terms.
• Prepare cost reports and financial summaries for stakeholders.
• Contribute to procurement support, bid analysis and contract administration.
• Maintain compliance with internal systems and client requirements.
• Build strong relationships with clients, contractors and internal teams to ensure successful delivery.
• Coordinate with project controls and scheduling teams to align cost forecasts with progress updates.
• Support risk and contingency tracking, ensuring accurate reporting and mitigation strategies.
• Assist in benchmarking and maintaining historical cost data for continuous improvement.
• Participate in stakeholder meetings, providing clear and concise cost updates.
• Help implement cost management tools and processes to improve efficiency across the program.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Educational background: Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering or a related field.
• 4+ years of experience in estimating, cost management or project controls within construction.
• Exposure to large‑scale or mission‑critical projects (data centers, high‑tech facilities, industrial builds preferred).
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with cost planning tools and software (e.g., CostX, Bluebeam, Procore or similar).
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Understanding of construction methods and cost structures; MEP knowledge is a plus.
• Hybrid work schedule: three days onsite in Maiden, NC and two days remote.

Additional Information

On‑site presence and requirements may change depending on our client’s needs.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Project Management, Consulting and Engineering

Industries

Construction, Civil Engineering, Business Consulting and Services

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.

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