Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor – Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend is seeking a skilled Cost Manager or Quantity Surveyor to support cost management for large-scale, mission-critical data center programs in the Chicago metropolitan area. These projects involve multi-phase construction of advanced facilities designed to expand cloud and AI infrastructure, with significant investment in MEP systems and high-performance environments. 

You will assist with cost planning and control from concept through final account, working closely with senior team members, contractors, and stakeholders to deliver high-value outcomes. The ideal candidate has experience in estimating, procurement, and financial management, with exposure to complex construction budgets for multi-building campuses.

To be successful in this role you must have great communication skills and be comfortable operating in a client-facing role.


Responsibilities

• Support cost management across all project phases, ensuring alignment with scope, budget, and schedule.
• Prepare and maintain detailed cost plans and estimates, leveraging industry benchmarks and technical documentation.
• Assist in producing monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and financial updates for stakeholders.
• Help manage change control processes, including review of change orders and cost variances.
• Participate in contractor and subcontractor pricing reviews, scope validation, and procurement strategy development.
• Collaborate with design teams, general contractors, and vendors to validate cost estimates and perform quantity surveying.
• Contribute to cost risk analysis and scenario planning for multi-phase programs.
• Monitor market trends and provide input on escalation, labor availability, and material pricing.
• Assist in developing strategies for cost optimization and value engineering.
• Coordinate with scheduling teams to align cost forecasts with project timelines.
• Support continuous improvement in cost management practices and standardization.
• Track and report on cash flow forecasts and commitments to ensure financial accuracy.
• Review and validate invoices against contract terms and approved budgets.
• Maintain accurate cost databases and benchmarking information for future projects.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, vendors, and project teams.