Senior Cost Manager - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A global professional services firm is seeking a Senior Cost Manager/Quantity Surveyor in Ohio to manage a large-scale data center program. You will interface with clients, deliver cost management services, and ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree and 5–7+ years of experience in mission-critical environments. This role offers a salary range of $130K-$160K annually and requires onsite presence.

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years in cost management/project controls within mission-critical environments.
• Construction consultancy experience strongly preferred.
• RICS accreditation or progress toward certification is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed cost plans and estimates.
• Produce and present monthly cost reports to stakeholders.
• Lead procurement strategy development and contract negotiations.
• Act as primary client interface ensuring objectives are met.

Skills

Cost management

Project controls

Stakeholder management

Financial reporting

Analytical skills

Education

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

Tools

Cost management tools

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.

Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor

This role is key as the client interface and delivers a value‑added cost management service on a large‑scale, mission‑critical data center program. It is pivotal in ensuring the project is delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards, with strong emphasis on governance, commercial rigor, and stakeholder engagement.

This position is based onsite approximately one hour east of Columbus, Ohio, in Conesville. Per diem is available for candidates commuting from Franklin County (or the Columbus area) with mileage reimbursement provided. Candidates must be onsite at least three days per week.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed cost plans and estimates through design and delivery phases, leveraging industry benchmarks and technical documentation.
• Produce and present monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and funding data to stakeholders.
• Coordinate all sources of cost information (design teams, GC, subs, vendor quotes) for robust cost validation and auditing.
• Compile built cost records for benchmarking and continuous improvement.
• Lead procurement strategy development, contractor/subcontractor pricing reviews, scope validation, and commercial negotiations to drive fair contract prices.
• Manage final accounts and ensure timely agreement.
• Own change control throughout the lifecycle: review, estimate, negotiate, and reconcile change orders; manage post‑contract cost variances.
• Support cost risk analysis, scenario planning, contingency management, and commitment tracking.
• Ensure robust cost control systems, including Earned Value Management (EVM) where applicable.
• Integrate cost with schedule and scope, coordinating closely with project controls/scheduling teams.
• Inform and drive engineering priorities based on cost impact; lead value engineering (VE) initiatives and cost optimization strategies.
• Monitor market trends (escalation, labor availability, material pricing) and provide timely insights.
• Act as the primary client interface, ensuring objectives are met and service excellence is delivered.
• Prepare and present executive‑level updates, written comments on GC submissions, and cost estimate updates.
• Ensure adherence to internal Business Management Systems and company delivery methodologies.
• Mentor and coach junior team members; foster a high‑performance, one‑business culture.
• Demonstrate excellence in financial management (margin tracking, monthly fee/resource forecasts) across commissions.
• 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 a related field.
• 5–7+ years in cost management/project controls within mission‑critical environments (data centers, high‑tech, industrial) and medium to large projects of moderate to high complexity.
• Construction consultancy experience strongly preferred.
• Solid understanding of MEP systems, resilience requirements, and campus‑scale infrastructure common to hyperscale data centers.
• Strong foundation in budgeting, financial reporting, cost control systems, and EVM.
• Expertise in procurement strategies and the commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.
• RICS accreditation or progress toward certification is advantageous.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities with high attention to detail.
• Proficiency with industry‑standard cost management tools and software.

Additional Information

The salary range for this full‑time role is $130K-$160K per year.

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.

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.

Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted through our website or to Turner & Townsend personal e‑mail accounts, are considered property of Turner & Townsend and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorised Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Turner & Townsend, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by the Recruitment Team, to submit candidates for review.

Learn more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com/ and https://www.heery.com/.

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