Senior Data Center Cost Manager & QS

Turner & Townsend; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global professional services company is seeking a Senior Cost Manager/Quantity Surveyor for a critical data centre project in Chandler, Arizona. The role focuses on providing cost management services while ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. Ideal candidates will have over 5 years of experience in cost management, strong client-facing skills, and the ability to work independently. A commitment to excellence and leadership in a collaborative environment is essential. Excellent remuneration and growth opportunities are offered in this dynamic setting.

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of relevant experience in cost management/project controls within construction.
• Proven leadership experience on complex projects, especially data centres.
• Strong foundation in budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed cost plans and estimates.
• Coordinate cost information for validation and auditing.
• Lead procurement strategy and commercial negotiations.
• Establish and operate cost control systems.
• Coach and mentor junior team members.

Skills

Client relations

Communication

Cost management

Analytical skills

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or related field

Tools

Cost management tools

Job description

Company Description

Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over22,000 peoplein more than 60 countries.

Working with our clients across real estate, infrastructure,energyand 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 programmes as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success.

Our capabilities includeprogramme, 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 estateservicesand investment firm, with our partners holding a significant minority interest. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide clients with the premierprogramme, project and cost management offering in markets around the world.

Job Description

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to act as the key, day‑to‑day client interface and deliver a value‑added cost management service on a large‑scale, mission‑critical data center program in the Phoenix market. You will ensure the project is delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards, with strong emphasis on governance, commercial rigor, and stakeholder engagement.

Travel, Per Diem & Relocation

• Per diem will be provided forrequired travel.
• Mileage reimbursement is available for candidates who live within driving distance of the site.
• For candidates traveling from farther away, the client will cover necessary travel costs.
• Relocation assistance is available for those interested in moving closer to the project location.

The ideal candidate is confident in client‑facing environments, communicates clearly, and can work both independently and as part of a collaborative team, providing leadership while embedding and promoting Turner & Townsend’s purpose, values, and vision.


Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain detailed cost plans and estimates through design milestones; produce and present final cost plans and executive summaries.
• Coordinate all sources of cost information (design teams, GC, subcontractors, vendor quotes, benchmark data) for robust cost validation and auditing.
• Provide commercial input to design optioneering and lead value engineering (VE) and cost optimization initiatives.
• Inform and drive engineering priorities based on cost impact; integrate cost with schedule and scope in coordination with project controls/scheduling.
• Lead procurement strategy development, scope validation, contractor/subcontractor pricing reviews, and commercial negotiations to achieve fair contract prices.
• Prepare written comments on contractor submissions and present executive‑level updates to stakeholders.
• Own change control throughout the lifecycle: review, estimate, negotiate, and reconcile change orders; manage post‑contract cost variances.
• Establish and operate cost control systems, including cost checks, valuations, commitment tracking, contingency management, and (where applicable) EVM.
• Produce and present monthly cost reports and funding data; coordinate VE sessions and scenario planning.
• Ensure timely agreement of final accounts and compile as‑built cost records for benchmarking and continuous improvement.
• Act as the primary client interface, ensuring objectives are met and service excellence is delivered.
• Demonstrate excellence in financial management (margin tracking, monthly fee/resource forecasts) across commissions.
• Implement and maintain internal Business Management Systems and company delivery methodologies/tools for consistent best practice.
• Coach and mentor junior team members; foster a high‑performance, one‑business culture.
• SOX control responsibilities may apply and must be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Able to work on‑site in the Phoenix, AZ areaas required, with a flexible hybrid schedule and available per diem, travel, or relocation support.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Cost Management, or a related field.
• 5–7+ years of relevant experience in cost management/project controls within construction; construction consultancy experience strongly preferred.
• Proven experience leading cost management on medium to large, complex projects—mission‑critical/data center, high‑tech, or industrial experience is a plus.
• 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 (where applicable) EVM.
• Expertise in procurement strategies and commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.
• RICS accreditation (or progress toward) preferred.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, with strong analytical/problem‑solving ability and high attention to detail.
• Proficiency with industry‑standard cost management tools and software.

Additional Information

*On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our clients' 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/

Turner & Townsend does not accept any speculative or unsolicited CV’s that have been sent to our internal recruitment team or hiring managers from agencies outside of our preferred supplier list or that have not followed due process. Any speculative or unsolicited CV’s will be treated as a direct application.

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

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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 ofTurner & Townsend and arenot 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.