Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to provide commercial management, cost control, and estimating services on a major Data Center construction program for a global technology client.

Role requires strong construction knowledge, clear communication, and the ability to work with owners, contractors, and design teams in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or related field.
• Experience in cost management or quantity surveying within construction.
• Experience on large-scale or mission-critical projects (data centers, industrial, infrastructure).
• Strong post-contract administration and change management background.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Act as a client-facing commercial partner, communicating cost status, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Prepare and present cost plans, estimates, funding summaries, and cash flow forecasts for large-scale data center projects.
• Collaborate with design teams, architects, engineers, and contractors to support cost development.
• Influence engineering and design decisions by evaluating cost, risk, and schedule impacts.
• Lead pre- and post-contract cost management, forecasting, contingency management, and reporting.
• Coordinate all cost inputs (supplier pricing, subcontractor data, direct procurement) for accuracy and transparency.
• Validate contractor and subcontractor cost submissions, including quantities and pricing.
• Estimate, negotiate, and reconcile change orders per contract terms.
• Maintain commitment, contingency, and forecast models, tracking against budgets.
• Manage interim valuations, cost checks, and payment support for commercial administration.
• Support post-contract cost variance analysis and final accounts.
• Participate in value engineering and cost optimization workshops.
• Resolve cost, scope, and schedule issues with minimal supervision.
• Prepare executive-level cost reports and commentary on submissions, risks, and trends.
• SOX control responsibilities may apply.

Skills

Cost management

Quantity surveying

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying or related field

Tools

Procore

Bluebeam

Sage

Job 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 an experienced Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to provide commercial management, cost control, and estimating services on a major, multi‑phase Data Center construction program for a global technology client.

The position is client‑facing and requires strong construction knowledge, clear communication, and the ability to work confidently with owners, contractors, and design teams in a fast‑paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Act as a client‑facing commercial partner, clearly communicating cost status, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Prepare and present cost plans, estimates, funding summaries, and cash flow forecasts for large‑scale data center construction projects.
• Collaborate closely with design teams, architects/engineers, and general contractors to support cost development and design progression.
• Influence engineering and design decisions by evaluating and communicating cost, risk, and schedule impacts.
• Lead pre‑ and post‑contract cost management, ensuring accurate forecasting, contingency management, and commercial reporting.
• Coordinate all cost inputs, including supplier pricing, subcontractor data, and direct procurement, to ensure transparency and accuracy.
• Validate general contractor and subcontractor cost submissions, including quantities, pricing, and backup documentation.
• Estimate, negotiate, and reconcile change orders and variations in accordance with contract terms and commercial expectations.
• Maintain commitment, contingency, and forecast models, tracking performance against approved budgets.
• Manage interim valuations, cost checks, and payment support to ensure accurate commercial administration.
• Support post‑contract cost variance analysis and final account agreement.
• Participate in value engineering and cost optimization workshops while maintaining performance, quality, and schedule requirements.
• Proactively resolve cost, scope, and schedule issues with minimal supervision.
• Prepare executive‑level cost reports and written commentary on contractor submissions, risks, and trends.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in cost management or quantity surveying within the construction industry.
• Experience on large‑scale, complex, or mission‑critical construction projects, such as data centers, industrial facilities, or infrastructure.
• Strong post‑contract administration and change management background.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities.
• Proficiency with Procore, Bluebeam, Sage, or similar commercial management tools.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts, procurement strategies, and commercial risk management.
• Familiarity with data center construction, including MEP‑intensive works and structural systems is advantageous.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder‑management skills.

Additional Information

*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 www.heery.com/

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

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