Senior Cost Manager / Estimator - Data Center Construction

About the role

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Estimator to support a major data center client, delivering cost management services throughout the project lifecycle. Responsibilities include cost planning, estimating, forecasting, cost reporting, change management, procurement support, and project closeout.

This client-facing role requires data center construction experience, along with expertise in both pre-contract estimating and post-contract cost management. The successful candidate must be comfortable leading commercial discussions with clients and stakeholders, while supporting projects through the full lifecycle, from early planning and budgeting through construction and final closeout.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage project budgets, cost plans, forecasts, and benchmark analyses throughout the project lifecycle.
• Prepare and present cost reports, commercial updates, and financial analyses to project stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Lead cost planning, estimating reviews, and budget validation activities from project initiation through completion.
• Support procurement activities, including bid package development, contractor selection, proposal evaluation, leveling, and commercial recommendations.
• Review contractor and subcontractor pricing, proposals, and change order requests.
• Provide full lifecycle cost management services from pre-construction through construction, closeout, and final account settlement.
• Manage post-contract cost activities including cost reporting, change management, contractor pay application reviews, forecasting, contingency management, and final account negotiations.
• Monitor project expenditures, commitments, contingency utilization, and forecasted final costs.
• Monitor and report project financial performance throughout construction, identifying cost variances, risks, trends, and mitigation strategies.
• Perform cost checks, valuations, benchmarking exercises, and budget reconciliations.
• Collaborate with project teams to identify value engineering and cost optimization opportunities.
• Maintain oversight of project cash flow forecasting and financial reporting.
• Support commercial risk management efforts, including contingency planning, cost risk assessments, and contract compliance reviews.
• Assist in the resolution of commercial issues, claims, and disputes while minimizing project risk exposure.
• Review project controls documentation and ensure alignment between scope, schedule, and budget objectives.
• Produce monthly cost reports and participate in client and project team meetings.
• Manage project financial closeout activities, including final account negotiations and vendor settlements.
• Maintain cost databases and benchmarking information to support future project planning and delivery.
• Mentor junior cost management professionals and contribute to team development.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and implementation of best practices across project delivery.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, delivery methodologies, and governance requirements.
• Be a role model that drives a one-business culture and delivers successful outcomes for clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related construction field.
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in cost management, quantity surveying, estimating, or commercial management within the construction industry, including both pre-contract estimating and post-contract cost management responsibilities.
• Experience supporting mission-critical, data center construction projects is required.
• Demonstrated experience delivering full lifecycle cost management services from planning and procurement through construction, change management, forecasting, and project closeout.
• Experience preparing and reviewing cost reports, managing change orders, forecasting final costs, and administering post-contract commercial processes during construction.
• Experience reviewing estimates, contractor pricing, change orders, and commercial negotiations.
• Knowledge of construction procurement strategies, value engineering, cost control, and risk management principles.
• Experience working in active operational environments is preferred.
• Construction consultancy experience strongly preferred.
• RICS accreditation or progress toward chartership preferred.
• Excellent communication, presentation, stakeholder management, and client-facing skills.

Additional Information

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

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