Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor – Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction consultancy is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager/Quantity Surveyor in Houston, TX. You will oversee cost governance for a large, multi-phase data center construction program. Responsibilities include developing cost plans, managing budgets, and serving as a primary client interface. Ideal candidates have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, 5–7 years of cost management experience, and strong analytical capabilities. The role involves significant client interaction and requires strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of cost management or project controls experience on medium- to large-scale construction programs.
• Experience with mission-critical, industrial, or large campus-scale builds preferred.
• Proven ability to manage full change-management processes on major projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed cost plans, budgets, and estimates throughout design and construction.
• Prepare and present monthly cost reports, forecasts, and executive-level summaries.
• Manage final accounts and drive timely agreement.

Skills

Cost management expertise

Strong communication skills

Analytical capability

Stakeholder management

Education

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

Tools

Microsoft Office

Cost management tools

Job description

Job Description

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to support a major, multi‑phase data center construction program in the Houston, TX area. The development spans a large multi‑building campus, currently underway, with long‑term phased delivery extending over several years. This role will be central to maintaining cost governance, commercial rigor, and alignment across a large, complex site with significant civil, structural, and MEP scope.

You will serve as a key day‑to‑day client interface, ensuring disciplined cost controls, clear communication, and strong stakeholder coordination. The ideal candidate brings robust construction cost expertise, operates confidently in a client‑facing environment, and contributes to a high‑performing project team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed cost plans, budgets, and estimates throughout design and construction.
• Prepare and present monthly cost reports, forecasts, and executive‑level summaries.
• Coordinate cost data from designers, contractors, subcontractors, and vendors for accurate validation.
• Maintain benchmarking and built‑cost records to support program‑wide improvements.
• Lead procurement support activities, including pricing reviews, scope validation, and commercial negotiations.
• Manage final accounts and drive timely agreement.
• Oversee full change‑management workflow, ensuring changes are reviewed, evaluated, negotiated, approved, and accurately tracked.
• Maintain rigorous cost‑control systems, monitoring commitments, variances, and trends.
• Support contingency and cost‑risk analysis activities.
• Coordinate cost, schedule, and scope alignment with project controls teams.
• Lead value‑engineering and cost‑optimization efforts across phases and trades.
• Monitor market conditions and provide commercial insights.
• Serve as a primary client interface, ensuring objectives and expectations are met.
• Prepare clear commentary on contractor submissions and support governance reviews.
• Ensure compliance with Turner & Townsend Business Management Systems.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to a collaborative, high‑performance culture.
• Support financial management tasks including margin tracking and resource forecasting.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which must be adhered to where applicable.

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.
• Experience with mission‑critical, industrial, or large campus‑scale builds preferred.
• Consultancy experience strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of civil, structural, and MEP construction.
• Advanced competency in budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting, and cost‑control systems; EVM experience beneficial.
• Proven ability to manage full change‑management processes on major projects.
• Strong project controls understanding, including cost‑schedule integration and variance analysis.
• Skilled in procurement support and commercial contract management.
• RICS accreditation (or progress toward certification) preferred.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder‑management skills.
• High analytical capability and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with standard cost management tools and Microsoft Office.

Additional Information

On‑site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's needs.

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 the Turner & Townsend website.

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