Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turnertownsend; Rayville (LA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend in Rayville, LA seeks a Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to lead cost control, budgeting, forecasting, and commercial administration on large-scale data center projects. The role is on-site Monday–Friday with a per diem for relocation challenges.

The ideal candidate will bring 3–5 years of cost management experience, strong client-facing skills, and a proactive, detail-oriented approach to support project teams through design and construction phases.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a construction/cost management related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years of cost management or quantity surveying experience in construction.
• Experience with cost budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and change management.
• Strong understanding of contracts, procurement, and commercial management principles.
• Excellent client-facing communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain project budgets, forecasts, cash flow reports, and cost control systems.
• Monitor and control project costs to align with budgets and client objectives.
• Prepare cost reports, financial updates, and forecasts for clients and stakeholders.
• Assist with change management processes and cost impact assessments.
• Support procurement activities including vendor prequalification and bid evaluations.
• Liaise with project managers and client reps to gather information for cost reporting.

Skills

Cost management

Quantity surveying

Budgeting

Forecasting

Change management

Cost reporting

Commercial management

Client-facing communication

Analytical skills

Contract administration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Accounting, or a related field

Tools

Cost estimating software

Quantity takeoff tools

Job description

Turner & Townsend is seeking a Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to support a global technology client on large-scale data center construction projects. This role will support the delivery of cost management services throughout the project lifecycle, serving as a key client-facing team member responsible for cost control, budgeting, forecasting, change management, and commercial administration.

The position requires onsite presence Monday through Friday in Rayville, LA. While local candidates or those open to relocation are preferred, a per diem is available for candidates who are unable to relocate.

To be successful in this role, you must have excellent communication skills and be comfortable operating in a client-facing environment. The ideal candidate will be proactive, detail-oriented, and capable of working both independently and collaboratively within a fast-paced project environment. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to complex mission-critical projects while supporting the purpose, values, and vision of Turner & Townsend.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain project budgets, forecasts, cash flow reports, and cost control systems.
• Monitor and control project costs to ensure alignment with approved budgets and client objectives.
• Track project commitments, expenditures, accruals, and forecasts, providing accurate and timely reporting.
• Prepare and present cost reports, financial updates, and forecasts to clients and project stakeholders.
• Support project budgeting activities and review project spend forecasts with clients and project teams.
• Assist in developing and maintaining commercial risk registers and identifying cost risks and opportunities.
• Coordinate with finance teams to support cash flow forecasting and monitor actual performance against projections.
• Review payment applications and provide recommendations regarding contractor entitlements.
• Support the preparation, review, and tracking of pay applications, invoices, and financial documentation.
• Review and evaluate contractor and subcontractor pricing, change requests, and commercial submissions.
• Assist with change management processes, including change order review, cost impact assessments, and recommendations to clients.
• Support the development and validation of project cost estimates throughout design and construction.
• Participate in value engineering exercises and provide commercial recommendations to support project objectives.
• Review estimates using benchmarking data and historical project cost information.
• Support procurement activities including vendor prequalification, bid evaluations, bid leveling, and contractor selection processes.
• Attend bid interviews and assist with vendor appointment activities.
• Liaise with project managers, contractors, and client representatives to gather information required for cost reporting and forecasting.
• Assist with cost checks, valuations, final accounts, and financial closeout activities.
• Support post-contract audits and account closeout processes.
• Benchmark project performance against similar successful commissions.
• Participate in lessons learned reviews and support the development of best practices and training materials.
• Support the development and implementation of project procedures and project handover requirements.
• Perform cost management activities utilizing bid analysis sheets, change control forms, cost estimating software, and quantity takeoff tools.
• Manage invoicing processes and support commercial administration activities.
• Represent Turner & Townsend professionally in client meetings and project discussions.
• Implement Turner & Townsend methodologies, systems, and best practices in the delivery of services.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role and are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Accounting, or a related field.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in cost management, quantity surveying, or project controls within the construction industry.
• Experience supporting cost management activities on medium to large construction projects.
• Strong experience in cost control, budgeting, forecasting, cost reporting, and change management.
• Experience reviewing contractor estimates, change orders, payment applications, and valuations.
• Good understanding of construction contracts, procurement, contract administration, and commercial management principles.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, contractors, and project stakeholders in a client-facing environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional teams in a fast-paced project environment.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
• Prior experience supporting data center, mission-critical, industrial, or similar large-scale in