Turner & Townsend is seeking a Lead Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to support and guide commercial strategy, cost governance, and delivery oversight for a large multiâphase data center development program. This $4B program, located approximately one hour from St. Louis, Missouri, includes a substantial newâbuild campus requiring strong cost management capabilities, disciplined controls, and coordination across multiple phases and packages.
In this role, you will provide key commercial leadership, support strategic decisionâmaking, and maintain strong stakeholder engagement across all stages of design and construction.
Travel Requirement
Candidates may be based remotely, with preference for Chicago, IL or Indianapolis, IN for ease of inâperson client interaction. Monthly travel (2â3 days per trip) to the project site near St. Louis, MO is required.
Responsibilities
- Lead cost management activities across a large, multiâphase data center program, ensuring compliance with established processes, governance, and reporting standards.
- Support the development and implementation of cost strategies, frameworks, and reporting structures for multiâbillionâdollar program budgets.
- Serve as a key client interface, coordinating with stakeholders, consultants, and internal teams to maintain effective communication throughout the project lifecycle.
- Provide commercial input into procurement strategies, change management, risk analysis, and contract administration.
- Manage fullâlifecycle cost activities, including estimating, cost planning, quantity surveying, cost controls, trend analysis, and contingency tracking.
- Prepare and deliver clear cost reporting, forecasts, dashboards, and risk assessments for internal and client leadership.
- Contribute to value engineering and design optimization efforts, identifying opportunities for cost efficiency.
- Mentor and support junior cost management staff, contributing to team development and capability growth.
- Assist with continuous improvements to internal tools, templates, and bestâpractice processes.
- Support financial performance management, including fee forecasting, resourcing, and compliance with Business Management Systems (BMS).
- Participate in feasibility studies, benchmarking, and earlyâstage cost modeling for future phases.
- Build strong working relationships with clients, contractors, and vendors, supporting ongoing business development where appropriate.
- SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.