Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend is a leading global professional services company with over 22,000 employees across more than 60 countries. We partner with clients in real estate, infrastructure, energy, and natural resources to deliver transformative outcomes that improve lives. Our expertise spans program, project, cost, asset, and commercial management, alongside net zero and digital solutions. Majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., we collaborate to offer premier program, project, and cost management services worldwide.

About the Role

Turner & Townsend is seeking a driven and collaborative Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to join our dedicated data center team. You will support a major new data center construction program in Michigan, one of the largest in the state's history. This role, potentially based in the Ann Arbor area with a hybrid work schedule, involves full-lifecycle cost management for a multi-building campus program. You will be instrumental in coordinating estimating, procurement, cost control, reporting, and final account closeout for a high-value, complex construction portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on procurement and contracting strategies specific to large-scale data center construction.
• Manage vendor prequalification, evaluate bids and proposals, prepare bid leveling, and make final recommendations.
• Lead and participate in vendor interviews, support contract negotiation, and oversee the appointment process.
• Develop detailed construction cost estimates for large data center facilities, covering structure, fit-out, MEP, sitework, and associated costs.
• Review and refine estimates prepared by junior team members, ensuring accuracy and alignment with benchmark data.
• Present estimates, value engineering options, and risk assessments to the client.
• Engage with contractors and suppliers to validate cost inputs and challenge assumptions.
• Establish and maintain the cost reporting schedule for the program.
• Prepare, review, and present cost reports, cash flow forecasts, and budget updates.
• Maintain and update the commercial risk register and support regular cost review meetings.
• Benchmark performance and costs against similar data center commissions.
• Review and assess contractor payment applications, collaborating with project managers to determine entitlement.
• Evaluate change order requests, negotiate cost impacts, and prepare recommendations for client approval.
• Utilize dispute avoidance and resolution procedures for financial administration and conflict mitigation.
• Manage and monitor invoicing processes for accuracy and compliance.
• Lead the final accounting process, post-contract audits, and financial closeout activities.
• Conduct post-contract reviews with the client and prepare lessons-learned documentation.
• Develop and refine procedures for handover and closeout of major construction packages.
• Utilize key tools such as bid analysis sheets, change control forms, takeoff software, and cost-estimating systems.
• SOX control responsibilities may apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a construction-related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant cost management experience in the construction industry.
• RICS accreditation or working towards it is valuable.
• Experience supporting cost management on medium or large-sized construction projects.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
• Good knowledge of construction industry technical matters, including various procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.
• Strong communication skills.

Additional Information

On-site presence and requirements may change depending on client needs.

Our people share our vision and mission, contributing to a supportive environment where individuals can affect change. We promote a healthy, productive, and flexible working environment respecting work-life balance. Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer, celebrating diversity and committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Visit www.turnerandtownsend.com/ and https://www.heery.com/ for more information. All information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.