Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to serve as the key day-to-day client interface for a large-scale, hyperscale data center development in Manassas, Virginia. This role supports the cost and commercial management of a complex, multi‑phased data center program delivered within a fast-paced, mission‑critical environment.

To be successful in this position, you must have excellent communication skills and be comfortable operating in a client-facing role. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, commercially astute, and capable of working independently while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams. You will provide leadership and direction while embedding and promoting Turner & Townsend’s purpose, values, and vision, delivering consistent, best‑in‑class service across high‑profile mission‑critical programs.

 

Responsibilities:

• Lead cost management and change management activities throughout the full construction lifecycle on medium to large, high‑complexity data center projects.
• Estimate, evaluate, and negotiate change orders, ensuring timely, accurate assessment of cost, schedule, and risk impacts.
• Develop and present cost plans, estimates, and budgets, including final cost plans at key design and construction milestones.
• Review and participate with design teams and general contractors in the development and reconciliation of cost estimates.
• Manage change control processes, including maintaining change logs, contingency drawdowns, commitment tracking, and cost impact reporting.
• Reconcile changes and validate contractor and subcontractor submissions to ensure accuracy and compliance with contractual requirements.
• Communicate regularly with the general contractor and owner’s project manager to gather status updates and prepare cost estimate revisions.
• Prepare written commercial reviews of contractor submissions, including executive summaries and risk commentary.
• Coordinate all sources of cost information, including consultant inputs, subcontractor pricing, supplier quotations, and quantities from architects and engineers.
• Inform and drive engineering and design priorities based on cost, constructability, and change implications.
• Work proactively with minimal supervision to resolve commercial, change, and scheduling challenges.
• Manage cost checks, interim valuations, and payment certifications for larger projects.
• Ensure post‑contract cost variances and change management procedures are administered effectively and consistently.
• Prepare funding forecasts and cost reports; coordinate and participate in value engineering (VE) and cost optimization sessions with stakeholders.
• Provide commercial input into design optioneering and value management exercises, particularly in relation to power infrastructure, building systems, and constructability.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing and lead negotiations on behalf of the client to achieve fair and commercially sound outcomes.
• Produce monthly cost reports for client review, clearly articulating cost movements, changes, risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure final accounts are negotiated, agreed, and closed out in a timely manner.
• Compile built cost data and benchmarking records to support future data center and mission‑critical projects.
• Identify, coach, and mentor team members, fostering growth and recognizing performance.
• Demonstrate excellence in leadership and service delivery in line with conditions of appointment.
• Financial management responsibilities, including utilizing internal systems to track fees, margins, and resource forecasts.
• Implement and maintain internal business management systems, delivery methodologies, and tools to ensure consistent best practice.
• Act as a role model in promoting a “one business” culture that balances outcomes for people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
• 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 construction discipline.
• 5–7+ years of relevant experience in a cost management or commercial management role within the construction industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading cost and change management on medium to large, technically complex projects, preferably in data centers, mission‑critical facilities, or major infrastructure.
• Construction consultancy background strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of procurement strategies, contract administration, value management, and value engineering.
• Experience implementing and managing formal change control processes and advising clients on commercial risk and mitigation.
• RICS accreditation or working toward chartership preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all stakeholder levels.

*On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's 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/ and https://www.heery.com/

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 of Turner & Townsend and are not 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.