Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor – Data Center Construction

 

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. Working in partnership makes it possible to deliver the world’s most impactful projects and programs as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success. 

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 major, multi‑phase data center construction program in the Houston, TX area. The development spans a large multi‑building campus, currently underway, with long‑term phased delivery extending over several years. This role will be central to maintaining cost governance, commercial rigor, and alignment across a large, complex site with significant civil, structural, and MEP scope.

You will serve as a key day‑to‑day client interface, ensuring disciplined cost controls, clear communication, and strong stakeholder coordination. The ideal candidate brings robust construction cost expertise, operates confidently in a client‑facing environment, and contributes to a high‑performing project team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed cost plans, budgets, and estimates throughout design and construction.
• Prepare and present monthly cost reports, forecasts, and executive‑level summaries.
• Coordinate cost data from designers, contractors, subcontractors, and vendors for accurate validation.
• Maintain benchmarking and built‑cost records to support program‑wide improvements.
• Lead procurement support activities, including pricing reviews, scope validation, and commercial negotiations.
• Manage final accounts and drive timely agreement.
• Oversee full change‑management workflow, ensuring changes are reviewed, evaluated, negotiated, approved, and accurately tracked.
• Maintain rigorous cost‑control systems, monitoring commitments, variances, and trends.
• Support contingency and cost‑risk analysis activities.
• Coordinate cost, schedule, and scope alignment with project controls teams.
• Lead value‑engineering and cost‑optimization efforts across phases and trades.
• Monitor market conditions and provide commercial insights.
• Serve as a primary client interface, ensuring objectives and expectations are met.
• Prepare clear commentary on contractor submissions and support governance reviews.
• Ensure compliance with Turner & Townsend Business Management Systems.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to a collaborative, high‑performance culture.
• Support financial management tasks including margin tracking and resource forecasting.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which must be adhered to where applicable.

 

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or related field.
• 5–7+ years of cost management or project controls experience on medium‑ to large‑scale construction programs.
• Experience with mission‑critical, industrial, or large campus‑scale builds preferred.
• Consultancy experience strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of civil, structural, and MEP construction.
• Advanced competency in budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting, and cost‑control systems; EVM experience beneficial.
• Proven ability to manage full change‑management processes on major projects.
• Strong project controls understanding, including cost‑schedule integration and variance analysis.
• Skilled in procurement support and commercial contract management.
• RICS accreditation (or progress toward certification) preferred.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder‑management skills.
• High analytical capability and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with standard cost management tools and Microsoft Office.

 

 

*On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's needs.

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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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