Senior Cost Manager​/Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Overview

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. 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.

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to support a large data center development program in the Columbus, Ohio area. This role will serve as a key day-to-day client interface on a major, multi-building hyperscale construction project. The program includes significant phased development, substantial construction volume, and coordination across design teams, contractors, and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

The successful candidate will bring strong communication skills, confidence in a client-facing environment, and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively. This position requires leadership, sound judgement, and a commitment to delivering high-quality cost management services aligned with Turner & Townsend’s standards and values.

• Estimating and negotiating change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
• Provide estimate and cost planning, including producing and presenting final cost plans.
• Review and participate with design teams and general contractors in developing cost estimates.
• Reconcile changes and support the general contractor to ensure accurate cost data.
• Communicate with the contractor and client PM to gather updates and produce revised cost estimates.
• Prepare written commentary on contractor submissions, including executive summaries.
• Coordinate cost information from design teams, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Provide guidance to help inform engineering priorities based on cost impacts.
• Work proactively with minimal supervision to resolve scheduling and coordination issues.
• Manage cost checks and valuations on large-scale projects; ensure timely, accurate validation.
• Participate in post-contract cost variance reviews and change control processes.
• Oversee contingency usage, cost impacts, and commitment tracking.
• Prepare funding data and support value engineering sessions with stakeholders.
• Develop cost plans and estimates through all design phases, with updates at key milestones.
• Provide commercial guidance for design optioneering and value engineering exercises.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing; lead client-side commercial negotiations.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost control, and change management duties throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure post-contract cost variances, audits, and valuations are managed effectively.
• Produce monthly cost reports for client presentation.
• Ensure timely negotiation and agreement of final accounts.
• Compile built cost data for benchmarking.
• Mentor and develop team members; support strong delivery culture.
• Track fees, margins, and forecasts in internal systems; support financial management for commissions.
• Implement Turner & Townsend methodologies and delivery tools across the team.
• Act as a role model for a one-business culture and high-quality service delivery.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5–7 years' relevant experience in construction cost management.
• Experience supporting large, complex, multi-building construction programs, preferably campus-style developments.
• Experience working on fast-paced projects with phased delivery and multiple stakeholder groups.
• Strong…