Senior Cost Manager for Data Center Programs

Turner & Townsend; Fayetteville (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager to act as the key day-to-day client interface, delivering cost management services across a large-scale data center program. The role emphasizes change management, cost control, and commercial governance throughout the construction lifecycle.

The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and experienced in managing complex change processes across multiple stakeholders, providing leadership and direction in line with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or related field.
• 5-7+ years of cost management or project controls experience on medium-to-large-scale construction programs.
• Mission-critical, industrial, or large campus-scale experience preferred.
• Consultancy experience strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of civil, structural, and MEP construction.
• Advanced knowledge of budgeting, financial reporting, cost-control systems, and Earned Value Management (EVM).
• Proven experience managing full change-management processes on major construction programs.
• Strong cost-focused project controls background, including forecasting and variance analysis.
• Ability to interpret schedules and assess cost impacts across phases and trades.
• Expertise in procurement strategy and commercial contract management.
• RICS accreditation (or progress toward certification) is advantageous.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Strong analytical abilities and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with industry-standard cost management tools and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage change management processes across the program, ensuring all changes are properly identified, evaluated, documented, and approved.
• Review, evaluate, and negotiate change orders throughout the construction lifecycle, ensuring commercial alignment and cost transparency.
• Maintain and manage change logs, contingency tracking, and commitment registers, providing clear visibility into cost impacts.
• Establish and enforce change control procedures and governance frameworks across multiple projects within the campus.
• Provide detailed cost analysis and recommendations to support client decision-making on change events.
• Support dispute avoidance and resolution through strong commercial oversight and documentation of changes.
• Provide cost planning and estimating, including producing and presenting final cost plans.
• Review and participate with the design team and general contractor in developing cost estimates.
• Reconcile changes and validate contractor cost data to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Communicate with the general contractor and project team to gather updates and support cost reporting.
• Prepare written comments on contractor submissions, including executive summaries.
• Coordinate cost inputs from subcontractors, suppliers, and design teams.
• Inform and help drive construction priorities based on cost and change impact.
• Work proactively to resolve cost, scope, and scheduling conflicts.
• Manage cost checks and carry out valuations on complex projects.
• Lead post-contract cost variance analysis and ensure adherence to change control processes.
• Prepare funding updates and support value engineering sessions, particularly in response to change drivers.
• Develop cost plans through design and provide updates at key milestones.
• Review contractor pricing and support negotiations to ensure fair and commercially sound outcomes.
• Ensure cost auditing, validation, and reporting processes are consistently applied.
• Produce monthly cost reports with clear visibility into change activity, risks, and forecast impacts.
• Support final account closeout, ensuring all changes are fully agreed and reconciled.
• Maintain cost benchmarking data and program records to support future forecasting and decision-making.
• Mentor team members and promote best practices in change management and cost control.
• Manage financial tracking, forecasting, and reporting for commissions.
• Support internal systems, governance processes, and company delivery methodologies.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Skills

Change management

Cost control

Commercial governance

Client-facing

Leadership

Education

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

Tools

Microsoft Office

Cost management tools

Job description

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager to act as the key day-to-day client interface, delivering cost management services across a large-scale data center program. The role emphasizes change management, cost control, and commercial governance throughout the construction lifecycle.

The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and experienced in managing complex change processes across multiple stakeholders, providing leadership and direction in line with