Senior Quantity Surveyor / Cost Manager - Data Center Construction

Company Description

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 programmes as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success. 

Our capabilities include programme, 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 programme, project and cost management offering in markets around the world. 

Job Description

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor to serve as the key, day‑to‑day client interface for a large‑scale, multi‑phase data center construction program 35 miles west of North Chicago, IL.

This long‑term campus development includes multiple buildings under simultaneous construction, fast‑paced delivery schedules, and continuous expansion across several phases of work. The role is critical in ensuring the program is delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest commercial standards.

The ideal candidate is confident in a client‑facing environment, communicates clearly, and can work both independently and collaboratively. You will provide leadership, commercial rigor, and governance while promoting Turner & Townsend’s purpose, values, and vision.

This is a hybrid role with regular on-site visits required approximately 35 miles west of North Chicago.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed cost plans and estimates throughout all project phases, using benchmarks and design documentation from a large, multi‑building campus environment.
• Produce and present monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and funding updates.
• Coordinate all cost inputs (design teams, GC, subcontractors, vendors) for accurate cost validation and auditing.
• Compile built cost data to support benchmarking and continuous improvement.
• Lead procurement strategy development, pricing reviews, scope alignment, and commercial negotiations to drive fair and competitive contract pricing.
• Manage final accounts and ensure timely commercial closure.
• Own the change control process: review, estimate, negotiate, and reconcile change orders across multiple active work fronts.
• Support cost risk analysis, scenario planning, contingency management, and tracking of commitments.
• Maintain strong cost control systems, including Earned Value Management (EVM) where applicable.
• Integrate cost with schedule and scope, working closely with project controls and scheduling teams.
• Inform engineering and design priorities based on cost impact.
• Lead value engineering (VE) initiatives and identify opportunities for cost efficiency without compromising quality or schedule.
• Monitor market conditions including escalation, labor capacity, and material pricing, and provide timely commercial insights.
• Act as the primary day‑to‑day client contact on this major program, ensuring service excellence and alignment with objectives.
• Prepare and deliver executive‑level communications, including written commentary on contractor submissions and estimate updates.
• Maintain strong relationships with general contractors, design partners, and stakeholder groups across a large, active construction campus.
• Ensure adherence to internal Business Management Systems and Turner & Townsend delivery methodologies.
• Demonstrate excellence in financial management, including margin tracking, monthly fee/resource forecasting, and governance compliance.
• Mentor and coach junior cost managers, supporting capability growth and fostering a high‑performance, one‑business culture.
• Provide guidance and support to ensure consistent, high‑quality delivery across the broader te
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or related field.
• 5–7+ years of experience in cost management or project controls, ideally within mission‑critical environments (data centers, high‑tech, industrial).
• Construction consultancy experience strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of MEP systems, resilience requirements, and campus‑scale infrastructure common to hyperscale data centers.
• Solid foundation in budgeting, financial reporting, cost control practices, and EVM.
• Expertise in procurement strategy, contract negotiation, and commercial management.
• RICS accreditation (or progress toward certification) is advantageous.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities with high

Additional Information

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

The salary range for this role is $135K-$155K USD. This range reflects the company's good faith estimate of the base salary for this position at the time of the posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package.

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/

Turner & Townsend does not accept any speculative or unsolicited CV’s that have been sent to our internal recruitment team or hiring managers from agencies outside of our preferred supplier list or that have not followed due process. Any speculative or unsolicited CV’s will be treated as a direct application.

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.