Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is seeking a Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to support data center and mission‑critical construction projects. You will lead cost estimation, procurement strategy and commercial management across the project lifecycle, interacting with clients, contractors and internal teams.

The role demands 3–5 years in cost management or quantity surveying, a relevant degree, and strong analytical and communication skills; RICS accreditation is valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or related field.
• 3–5 years in cost management, quantity surveying or commercial management in construction.
• Experience with data center or mission-critical projects preferred.
• Understanding of procurement, value engineering and cost reporting.

Responsibilities

• Advise on procurement strategies, assess proposals and support contract awards.
• Develop construction estimates, review junior estimates, present to clients.
• Meet with contractors and vendors to validate costs and assumptions.
• Manage cost reporting, budgets, forecasts and risk registers.
• Oversee cost control, change orders, and commercial recommendations.

Skills

Cost management

Quantity surveying

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

RICS accreditation (valued)

Tools

Cost estimating software

Takeoff software

Bid analysis tools

Job description

Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

• Full-time

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 programmes as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success.

Our capabilities include programme, 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 programme, project and cost management offering in markets around the world.

Turner & Townsend is seeking a Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to join our team and support the delivery of cost management services across large-scale data center and mission-critical construction projects. The ideal candidate will be driven, client-focused, and committed to delivering high‑quality commercial outcomes throughout the project lifecycle.

Responsibilities:

• Advise clients on procurement strategies, manage vendor prequalification processes, assess proposals, bids, and bid leveling documentation, make recommendations, attend bid interviews, and support contract awards.
• Manage estimating services throughout the project lifecycle, including developing construction estimates, reviewing estimates prepared by junior team members, presenting estimates and cost plans to clients, performing benchmark analysis, and providing value engineering recommendations and risk assessments.
• Meet with contractors, consultants, and vendors to review, validate, and challenge project costs and commercial assumptions.
• Manage cost reporting by establishing reporting schedules, preparing and presenting cost reports and forecasts, reviewing project budgets and spend forecasts, maintaining commercial risk registers, and facilitating project cost reviews.
• Manage cost control processes, including payment application reviews, contractor entitlement assessments, change order evaluations, and commercial recommendations.
• Support contract administration and dispute avoidance throughout project delivery.
• Manage and monitor project invoicing processes.
• Benchmark project performance against historical and comparable projects.
• Manage all facets of final account negotiations, post‑contract audits, and project closeout activities.
• Conduct lessons learned reviews and support the implementation of best practices across future projects.
• Develop procedures governing project handover and closeout activities.
• Utilize cost estimating software, takeoff software, bid analysis tools, and change management documentation to support project delivery.
• Collaborate with project managers, designers, contractors, vendors, and client stakeholders to ensure successful commercial outcomes.
• 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.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in cost management, quantity surveying, estimating, or commercial management within the construction industry.
• Experience supporting medium to large‑scale construction projects.
• Experience supporting data center, mission‑critical, advanced technology, industrial, manufacturing, or other highly technical construction projects is preferred.
• RICS accreditation or progress toward accreditation is valued.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
• Good understanding of construction procurement methods, value engineering, cost planning, and commercial management practices.
• Experience preparing estimates, managing budgets, reviewing change orders, and producing cost reports throughout the project lifecycle.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary project teams.

*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.

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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