Lead Cost Manager​/Quantity Surveyor – Data Center Construction

Lead Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor – Data Center Construction

Full-time

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 a Lead Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to provide strategic leadership and commercial governance for a large‑scale, multi‑phase data centre development programme. This position is based onsite approximately one hour east of Columbus, Ohio, in Conesville. Per diem is available for candidates commuting from Franklin County (or the Columbus area), with mileage reimbursement provided. Candidates must be onsite at least 3 days per week.

This role will oversee cost planning, budgeting, procurement strategy, and risk management across multiple packages and phases, ensuring compliance and alignment with programme objectives. You will act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, deliver executive‑level reporting, and drive value engineering initiatives to optimise design and reduce costs.

This is an opportunity to lead cost management on one of the most significant technology infrastructure programmes in the region.

• Lead cost management strategy and governance across multi‑phase data centre programmes, ensuring compliance and alignment with client objectives.
• Develop and implement cost frameworks for multi‑billion‑dollar budgets, including early‑stage estimates, detailed cost plans, procurement strategies, and risk mitigation.
• Serve as the primary client interface, maintaining strong communication with stakeholders and consultants throughout all project stages.
• Advise on commercial strategy, procurement models and contract negotiations for complex packages, including MEP and energy infrastructure.
• Oversee full lifecycle cost management activities: quantity surveying, cost controls, change management and contingency tracking.
• Deliver executive‑level reporting on cost performance, forecasts and risk assessments.
• Drive value engineering and design optimisation initiatives to identify cost‑saving opportunities without compromising quality or performance.
• Mentor and develop cost management teams, ensuring capability growth and succession planning.
• Enhance internal cost management tools, templates and processes for continuous improvement.
• Manage financial performance, including margin tracking, fee/resource forecasts and compliance with internal systems.
• Support pre‑construction activities, feasibility studies and early‑stage cost modelling for future phases.
• Build strong relationships with clients, contractors and vendors, acting as a trusted advisor and identifying opportunities for business growth.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, where applicable.

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in cost management or project controls, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience managing large‑scale, mission‑critical construction programmes (e.g., data centres, industrial, energy infrastructure).
• Expertise in cost planning, budgeting, financial reporting and cost control systems at programme level.
• Strong knowledge of procurement strategies, commercial management and construction contracts.
• RICS accreditation or equivalent…