📍 Job Overview

• Job Title: Cost Manager – Data Center Construction
• Company: Turner & Townsend
• Location: North Chicago, Illinois, United States
• Job Type: Hybrid (3 days on-site per week)
• Category: Cost Management, Construction, Data Center
• Date Posted: 2025-08-01
• Experience Level: 2-5 years

🚀 Role Summary

• Key Responsibilities: Drive cost management for data center construction projects, collaborate with stakeholders, and ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Key Skills: Cost management, budgeting, financial reporting, procurement strategies, analytical skills, communication, collaboration, and negotiation.
• Industry Context: Turner & Townsend is a global consultancy firm specializing in project delivery and post-project operations, with a strong presence in the data center construction sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a balance of strong technical skills in cost management and excellent stakeholder communication, making it an excellent fit for professionals looking to grow into senior positions within the construction industry.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

• Cost Planning & Estimating: Prepare detailed cost plans, estimates, and budgets aligned with project scope and client expectations.
• Cost Tracking & Reporting: Monitor and manage project costs, track actuals vs. forecasts, identify variances, and recommend corrective actions.
• Change Order Management: Review and negotiate change orders, ensuring proper documentation, cost validation, and alignment with contractual terms.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work with design consultants, engineers, contractors, and internal teams to validate cost estimates and ensure consistency with design intent and construction feasibility.
• Procurement Activities: Participate in procurement activities, including bid analysis, scope reviews, and contractor negotiations.
• Contingency Management: Track and manage contingency usage, commitments, and cost impacts across multiple packages or phases.
• Value Engineering: Contribute to value engineering and design optimization exercises to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Compliance & Process Improvement: Ensure compliance with internal financial systems, client-specific requirements, and applicable regulatory controls. Support the development and improvement of internal cost management tools, templates, and processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field.

Experience: 3-6 years of relevant experience in cost-focused project controls or cost management, with a preference for construction consultancy experience and familiarity with large-scale, mission-critical construction projects (e.g., data centers, high-tech, industrial).

Required Skills:

• Strong background in cost management, budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control systems.
• Experience with procurement strategies and commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and negotiation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in industry-standard tools and software for cost management.

Preferred Skills:

• RICS accreditation or working toward it.
• Familiarity with MEP systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role requires a solid background in cost management, the preferred skills section highlights areas where candidates can differentiate themselves and demonstrate a strong fit for the role, such as RICS accreditation and familiarity with MEP systems.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Detailed cost plans, estimates, and budgets for past projects.
• Case studies demonstrating successful cost management strategies and cost-saving initiatives.
• Examples of cost reports, forecasts, and executive summaries presented to internal stakeholders and clients.
• Documentation showcasing experience with change order management, procurement activities, and contractor negotiations.

Technical Documentation:

• Detailed records of actual costs vs. forecasts, variance analysis, and corrective actions taken.
• Documentation of value engineering and design optimization exercises, including cost-saving opportunities identified and implemented.
• Records of compliance with internal financial systems, client-specific requirements, and applicable regulatory controls.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100,000 - $130,000 per year. This range is a reflection of base salary only, not of a total compensation package.

Benefits:

• A great place to work with opportunities for career growth and development.
• A flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.
• Equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with regular on-site visits required approximately 35 miles west of North Chicago.

🎯 Team & Company Context

Company Culture:

• Turner & Townsend provides a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.
• The company promotes a healthy, productive, and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.

Team Structure:

• The cost management team works closely with design consultants, engineers, contractors, and internal project teams to deliver projects on time and within budget.
• The team is dynamic, innovative, and client-focused, supported by an inclusive and fun company culture.

Development Methodology:

• Turner & Townsend uses a structured project delivery approach, focusing on cost management, project controls, and stakeholder collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.
• The company emphasizes continuous improvement, with a strong commitment to developing and improving internal cost management tools, templates, and processes.

Company Website: https://www.turnerandtownsend.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Turner & Townsend's company culture emphasizes a dynamic, innovative, and client-focused team environment, with a strong commitment to continuous improvement and employee development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Cost Manager – Data Center Construction role is responsible for driving cost management activities on data center construction projects, collaborating with stakeholders, and ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. This role offers significant growth potential, as it provides an opportunity to develop expertise in cost management for large-scale, mission-critical construction projects and build strong relationships with clients and internal teams.

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Project Director or a senior member of the cost management team, depending on the project's size and complexity.

Technical Impact: The Cost Manager plays a critical role in ensuring projects are delivered within budget and that cost-related risks are effectively managed. Their work directly impacts the project's financial success and contributes to the overall project delivery.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Progression: As a Cost Manager, you will have the opportunity to develop your expertise in cost management for data center construction projects and expand your knowledge of related technologies and construction methods.
• Leadership Roles: With experience and demonstrated success, you may progress into senior cost management roles, such as Senior Cost Manager or Cost Manager Lead, where you would oversee teams and provide strategic guidance on cost management for complex projects.
• Broadened Responsibilities: As you grow within the organization, you may take on additional responsibilities, such as business development, client relationship management, or process improvement initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Cost Manager – Data Center Construction role offers significant growth potential, with opportunities to develop expertise in cost management for large-scale, mission-critical construction projects and progress into senior leadership roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Turner & Townsend's office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to facilitate teamwork and innovation.

Office Location(s): North Chicago, Illinois, United States. Regular on-site visits are required approximately 35 miles west of North Chicago.

Workspace Context:

• Collaboration: The office is designed to encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing among team members, with open workspaces, meeting rooms, and breakout areas.
• Technology: Turner & Townsend provides state-of-the-art technology and tools to support cost management activities, including industry-standard software for cost management, project management, and document control.
• Work-Life Balance: The company promotes a flexible working environment that respects work-life balance, with opportunities for remote work and flexible hours.

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with regular on-site visits required approximately 35 miles west of North Chicago.

📝 Enhancement Note: Turner & Townsend's work environment is designed to facilitate collaboration and innovation, with a strong focus on providing employees with the tools and resources they need to succeed in their roles.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

1. Phone/Video Screen: A brief conversation to discuss your background, experience, and fit for the role.
2. Technical Assessment: A practical exercise or case study to evaluate your cost management skills, analytical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
3. Behavioral Interview: A structured interview focusing on your communication, collaboration, and negotiation skills, as well as your ability to work effectively in a team environment.
4. Final Interview: A meeting with the hiring manager or a panel of senior team members to discuss your fit for the role, answer any remaining questions, and make a final decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight your experience with cost planning, estimating, procurement, and reporting on data center construction projects.
• Include examples of successful cost management strategies and cost-saving initiatives you've implemented in the past.
• Showcase your ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders, including clients, contractors, and internal teams.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

• Brush up on your knowledge of cost management principles, industry-standard tools, and software for cost management.
• Familiarize yourself with Turner & Townsend's project delivery approach and cost management methodologies.
• Prepare examples of your past work that demonstrate your ability to manage project costs, track actuals vs. forecasts, and identify variances.

ATS Keywords: Cost Management, Budgeting, Financial Reporting, Procurement Strategies, Analytical Skills, Communication Skills, Collaboration, Negotiation Skills, Problem-Solving, Attention to Detail, MEP Systems Familiarity, Construction Feasibility, Value Engineering, Design Optimization, Contract Management, Data Center Construction, Hybrid Work, On-Site Visits, Stakeholder Collaboration, Project Delivery, Cost Management Tools, Industry-Standard Software.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application and interview process for the Cost Manager – Data Center Construction role is designed to evaluate candidates' technical skills, analytical thinking, and ability to work effectively in a team environment. By preparing thoroughly and showcasing your relevant experience and skills, you can increase your chances of success in the interview process.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Cost Management Tools:

• CostX: A cloud-based cost management platform for construction projects.
• Causeway: A web-based project management and document control system.
• Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other productivity tools.
• Industry-standard software for cost management, project management, and document control.

Data Center Construction Technologies:

• MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) systems: Familiarity with MEP systems is beneficial for understanding the cost implications of design decisions and ensuring consistency with construction feasibility.
• Construction management software: Familiarity with construction management software, such as Procore, Bluebeam, or PlanGrid, can be useful for collaborating with contractors and tracking project progress.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary focus of the Cost Manager – Data Center Construction role is cost management, a solid understanding of data center construction technologies and construction management software can be beneficial for working effectively with contractors and ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Turner & Townsend Values:

• Dynamic: Turner & Townsend is a dynamic, innovative, and client-focused organization that values proactivity, creativity, and continuous improvement.
• Inclusive: The company fosters an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to contribute, grow, and succeed.
• Collaborative: Turner & Townsend emphasizes teamwork, knowledge sharing, and collaboration to deliver exceptional results for clients.
• Expert: The company is committed to developing and maintaining a team of experts in their respective fields, with a strong focus on continuous learning and professional development.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Turner & Townsend's cost management team works closely with design consultants, engineers, contractors, and internal project teams to deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Code Review Culture: The company encourages a culture of continuous improvement, with regular reviews of cost management processes, tools, and templates.
• Knowledge Sharing: Turner & Townsend fosters a culture of knowledge sharing and learning, with regular training and development opportunities for employees.

📝 Enhancement Note: Turner & Townsend's values and collaboration style are centered around fostering a dynamic, inclusive, and collaborative work environment that encourages continuous learning, improvement, and teamwork.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Turner & Townsend's office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to facilitate teamwork and innovation.

Office Location(s): North Chicago, Illinois, United States. Regular on-site visits are required approximately 35 miles west of North Chicago.

Workspace Context:

• Collaboration: The office is designed to encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing among team members, with open workspaces, meeting rooms, and breakout areas.
• Technology: Turner & Townsend provides state-of-the-art technology and tools to support cost management activities, including industry-standard software for cost management, project management, and document control.
• Work-Life Balance: The company promotes a flexible working environment that respects work-life balance, with opportunities for remote work and flexible hours.

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with regular on-site visits required approximately 35 miles west of North Chicago.

📝 Enhancement Note: Turner & Townsend's work environment is designed to facilitate collaboration and innovation, with a strong focus on providing employees with the tools and resources they need to succeed in their roles.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Cost Manager – Data Center Construction position:

1. Submit Your Application: Visit the Turner & Townsend careers page and search for the job listing. Click on the job title to view the full job description and apply.
2. Prepare Your Portfolio: Highlight your experience with cost planning, estimating, procurement, and reporting on data center construction projects. Include examples of successful cost management strategies and cost-saving initiatives you've implemented in the past.
3. Update Your Resume: Tailor your resume to emphasize your relevant experience and skills, including your background in cost management, budgeting, financial reporting, and procurement strategies. Highlight any experience with data center construction projects, MEP systems, and industry-standard tools and software for cost management.
4. Research Turner & Townsend: Familiarize yourself with Turner & Townsend's company culture, values, and project delivery approach. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview process to demonstrate your interest in the role and the organization.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.