Senior Cost Manager (Quantity Surveyor)
Turner & Townsend is seeking a highly skilled Senior Cost Manager (or Quantity Surveyor) to lead cost management efforts on complex, mission-critical data center construction projects. This role is client-facing and central to ensuring financial success, cost efficiency, and alignment with strategic project goals.
You will oversee cost planning and control from concept design through final account, collaborating with internal teams, external partners, and clients to deliver high-value outcomes. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in estimating, procurement, and financial management, with a strong understanding of MEP systems and large-scale construction budgets.
This is a hybrid role with regular on-site visits required approximately 35 miles west of North Chicago.
Responsibilities :
- Lead cost management across all project phases, ensuring alignment with scope, budget, and schedule.
- Develop and maintain detailed cost plans and estimates, leveraging industry benchmarks and technical documentation.
- Manage change control processes, including review and negotiation of change orders and post-contract cost variances.
- Collaborate with design teams, general contractors, and vendors to validate cost estimates and perform quantity surveying.
- Produce and present monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and financial updates to stakeholders.
- Oversee contractor and subcontractor pricing reviews, scope validation, and procurement strategy development.
- Drive continuous improvement in cost management practices, supporting standardization and best-in-class delivery.
- Mentor junior team members and contribute to a high-performance, collaborative team culture.
- Ensure compliance with internal financial systems, regulatory requirements, and SOX controls where applicable.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, vendors, and project teams to support successful project delivery.
Qualifications :
Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field.5-7+ years of experience in cost management or project controls, ideally within large-scale, mission-critical environments (e.g., data centers, high-tech, industrial).Proven experience in construction consultancy is preferred.Strong background in budgeting, financial reporting, cost control systems, and Earned Value Management (EVM).Expertise in procurement strategies and 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 attention to detail.Proficiency in industry-standard cost management tools and software.The salary range for this full-time role is $130K-$150K per year.