📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Cost Manager - Data Center Construction
Company: Turner & Townsend
Location: North Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Type: Hybrid (On-site and Remote)
Category: Construction Management, Project Management
Date Posted: 2025-08-01
Experience Level: 5-10 years

🚀 Role Summary

Lead cost management efforts on complex, mission-critical data center projects, ensuring financial success and alignment with project goals.
Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to drive value, efficiency, and effective change control processes.
Mentor junior team members, contribute to a high-performance culture, and demonstrate leadership in service delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in cost management, budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control systems, with a focus on large-scale, mission-critical construction projects such as data centers.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Cost Management & Planning: Lead cost management efforts, provide detailed estimating and cost planning, and ensure alignment with project scope and budget.
Change Order Management: Review and negotiate change orders, manage post-contract cost variances, and ensure effective change control processes.
Collaboration & Negotiation: Collaborate with design teams and general contractors to develop and validate cost estimates; perform quantity surveying and cost validation. Lead contractor and subcontractor pricing reviews and negotiations; review and approve scopes of work; manage procurement strategies.
Reporting & Analysis: Produce monthly cost reports, prepare and present cost updates and executive summaries, and analyze project costs and changes.
Process Improvement: Develop and maintain best practices for cost-effective solutions; support standardization and continuous improvement of estimating and cost management processes.
Compliance & Relationship Building: Ensure compliance with internal financial systems and regulatory requirements. Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including clients, vendors, and project teams.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field.

Experience:

5-7+ years of relevant experience in cost-focused project controls or cost management, preferably in construction consultancy.
Experience 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.
Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM) principles.
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.
Experience with MEP systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a well-rounded professional with a strong technical background in cost management and a proven track record of delivering successful projects. Familiarity with data center-specific construction projects is highly valued.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Detailed case studies demonstrating cost management expertise on large-scale construction projects.
Examples of cost estimates, budgets, and financial reports.
Evidence of successful change order management and cost variance control.
Documentation showcasing procurement strategies, commercial management, and contract negotiation skills.

Technical Documentation:

Detailed project plans, including cost breakdown structures and work breakdown structures.
Evidence of Earned Value Management (EVM) implementation and analysis.
Documentation demonstrating understanding of project-specific regulatory requirements and compliance.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $130,000 - $150,000 per year. Ranges are determined by role and level and represent a good faith effort to provide a fair and equitable salary. This range is a reflection of base salary only, not of a total compensation package.

Benefits:

A great place to work with a healthy, productive, and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.
Opportunities for professional growth and development.
Competitive benefits package (details not specified).

Working Hours: Full-time, with regular on-site visits required approximately 35 miles west of North Chicago.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a good faith estimate based on the job title, location, and experience level. However, it is essential to verify the final compensation package directly with the hiring organization.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company specializing in project management, cost management, and advisory services for the built environment. They operate in various sectors, including data centers, high-tech, and industrial.

Company Size: Turner & Townsend has over 22,000 specialists in more than 60 countries, providing a dynamic, innovative, and client-focused work environment.

Founded: 1946 (headquartered in London, UK)

Team Structure:

The team consists of construction professionals, including cost managers, project managers, and quantity surveyors.
The reporting structure is hierarchical, with senior cost managers overseeing junior team members and supporting a high-performance culture.
Cross-functional collaboration with internal teams and external partners is essential for project success.

Development Methodology:

Turner & Townsend follows established project management methodologies, such as PRINCE2 and PMP, to ensure project delivery success.
They emphasize collaboration, communication, and stakeholder engagement throughout the project lifecycle.
The company encourages continuous learning and professional development to maintain a competitive edge in the industry.

Company Website: www.turnerandtownsend.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Turner & Townsend's global presence and extensive experience in the construction industry provide a strong foundation for delivering successful data center construction projects. Their commitment to innovation, client focus, and continuous improvement creates an environment that values cost management expertise and leadership.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring a high degree of expertise in cost management, budgeting, and financial reporting. The position offers opportunities for mentoring junior team members and contributing to a high-performance culture.

Reporting Structure: The senior cost manager reports directly to the project manager or a senior member of the project management team. They may also have supervisory responsibilities for junior cost managers or quantity surveyors.

Technical Impact: The senior cost manager plays a critical role in ensuring the financial success of data center construction projects. Their expertise in cost management, budgeting, and financial reporting directly impacts project outcomes and client satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in cost management, budgeting, and financial reporting for data center construction projects.
Leadership Development: Develop leadership skills through mentoring junior team members and contributing to a high-performance culture.
Broader Project Experience: Gain experience working on various data center construction projects, expanding knowledge of project-specific regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
Career Progression: Progress to more senior roles, such as associate director or director, with increased responsibility for project delivery and business development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth opportunities for professionals seeking to advance their careers in cost management and project delivery within the data center construction industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Turner & Townsend's office is a collaborative, professional environment that fosters innovation and client focus. The office is equipped with modern tools and technology to support project delivery and team collaboration.

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

Workspace Context:

Collaboration & Communication: The workspace encourages open communication and collaboration among team members, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning.
Project Management Tools: The office is equipped with industry-standard project management tools, such as Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, and Smartsheet, to support project delivery and team coordination.
Training & Development: Turner & Townsend invests in professional development opportunities, such as training courses, workshops, and industry conferences, to help employees enhance their skills and advance their careers.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with regular on-site visits required approximately 35 miles west of North Chicago. The work schedule may vary depending on project demands and client needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Turner & Townsend's work environment fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning, providing an ideal setting for professionals seeking to advance their careers in cost management and project delivery within the data center construction industry.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: A phone or video call to assess communication skills, technical knowledge, and cultural fit.
Technical Assessment: A detailed review of the candidate's cost management expertise, budgeting, and financial reporting skills. This may include case studies, financial reports, and project plans.
Final Interview: An in-depth discussion of the candidate's experience, career goals, and fit within the Turner & Townsend team. This may include a presentation of the candidate's portfolio and a Q&A session with senior team members.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Case Studies: Prepare detailed case studies demonstrating cost management expertise on large-scale construction projects, with a focus on data center-specific projects.
Financial Reports: Include examples of cost estimates, budgets, and financial reports that showcase the candidate's ability to manage project finances effectively.
Change Order Management: Highlight successful change order management and cost variance control strategies employed on previous projects.
Procurement Strategies: Demonstrate understanding of procurement strategies, commercial management, and contract negotiation skills through relevant examples and case studies.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Cost Estimation: Brush up on cost estimation techniques and tools, such as quantity surveying, elemental costing, and parametric estimating.
Budgeting & Financial Reporting: Review budgeting principles, financial reporting standards, and cost control systems to ensure a solid understanding of project financial management.
Project Management: Familiarize yourself with project management methodologies, such as PRINCE2 and PMP, to demonstrate a well-rounded understanding of project delivery.

ATS Keywords: Cost Management, Budgeting, Financial Reporting, Quantity Surveying, Construction Project Management, Data Center Construction, Change Order Management, Procurement Strategies, Commercial Negotiation, Project Delivery, Project Finance, Construction Consultancy, Project Management Methodologies, PRINCE2, PMP, Earned Value Management (EVM)

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to assess the candidate's technical expertise in cost management, budgeting, and financial reporting, as well as their cultural fit within the Turner & Townsend team. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong technical background, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to delivering successful data center construction projects.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Cost Management Tools:

Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Project
Primavera P6
Smartsheet
CostX
Bluebeam

Project Management Methodologies:

PRINCE2
PMP
Agile
Waterfall

Regulatory Compliance:

OSHA
EPA
Local building codes and regulations

📝 Enhancement Note: Turner & Townsend utilizes industry-standard tools and software for cost management, project delivery, and regulatory compliance. Familiarity with these tools and methodologies is essential for success in this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Turner & Townsend Values:

Client Focus: Deliver exceptional client service and exceed expectations through a deep understanding of client needs and a commitment to delivering successful projects.
Integrity: Act with honesty, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of our work, fostering a culture of trust and respect.
Expertise: Demonstrate deep technical knowledge and a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Collaboration: Work together to achieve common goals, sharing knowledge and resources to deliver successful projects and drive business growth.
Innovation: Embrace change and drive improvement through creative problem-solving, process innovation, and the adoption of new technologies.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: Turner & Townsend encourages collaboration between internal teams and external partners, including clients, vendors, and project teams, to ensure project success.
Code Review Culture: The company fosters a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning, with regular team meetings and training opportunities to enhance technical skills and industry knowledge.
Mentoring & Knowledge Sharing: Turner & Townsend values mentoring and knowledge sharing, with senior team members providing guidance and support to junior team members to help them develop their careers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Turner & Townsend's culture is built on a foundation of client focus, integrity, expertise, collaboration, and innovation. The company fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and fun work environment that supports the professional growth and development of its employees.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Cost Estimation Accuracy: Develop and refine cost estimation techniques to ensure accurate and reliable cost estimates for data center construction projects.
Budget Optimization: Identify opportunities to optimize project budgets without compromising quality or project delivery timelines.
Risk Management: Develop and implement risk management strategies to mitigate potential cost overruns and project delays.
Regulatory Compliance: Stay up-to-date with project-specific regulatory requirements and industry best practices to ensure compliance and minimize project delays.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in cost management, budgeting, and financial reporting for data center construction projects through targeted training, workshops, and industry conferences.
Leadership Development: Develop leadership skills through mentoring junior team members, contributing to a high-performance culture, and driving project delivery success.
Broader Project Experience: Gain experience working on various data center construction projects, expanding knowledge of project-specific regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
Career Progression: Progress to more senior roles, such as associate director or director, with increased responsibility for project delivery and business development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents numerous technical challenges and growth opportunities for professionals seeking to advance their careers in cost management and project delivery within the data center construction industry. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong technical background, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to delivering successful projects.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Cost Estimation: Can you walk us through your cost estimation process for a data center construction project? What tools and methodologies do you use to ensure accurate and reliable cost estimates?
Budget Optimization: How do you identify opportunities to optimize project budgets without compromising quality or project delivery timelines? Can you provide an example from a previous project?
Risk Management: How do you approach risk management in data center construction projects? Can you describe a risk management strategy you've implemented to mitigate potential cost overruns and project delays?
Regulatory Compliance: How do you stay up-to-date with project-specific regulatory requirements and industry best practices? Can you describe a situation where you ensured compliance and minimized project delays?

Company & Culture Questions:

Turner & Townsend Culture: How do you align with Turner & Townsend's values and culture? Can you provide an example of how you've demonstrated our core values in a previous role?
Team Collaboration: How do you approach collaboration with internal teams and external partners, including clients, vendors, and project teams? Can you describe a successful collaboration experience and the outcome it achieved?
Project Delivery: How do you ensure the successful delivery of data center construction projects? Can you describe a project delivery challenge you faced and how you overcame it?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Case Studies: Prepare detailed case studies demonstrating cost management expertise on large-scale construction projects, with a focus on data center-specific projects.
Financial Reports: Include examples of cost estimates, budgets, and financial reports that showcase the candidate's ability to manage project finances effectively.
Change Order Management: Highlight successful change order management and cost variance control strategies employed on previous projects.
Procurement Strategies: Demonstrate understanding of procurement strategies, commercial management, and contract negotiation skills through relevant examples and case studies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to assess the candidate's technical expertise in cost management, budgeting, and financial reporting, as well as their cultural fit within the Turner & Townsend team. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong technical background, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to delivering successful data center construction projects.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Cost Manager - Data Center Construction position:

Submit your application through the application link provided.
Prepare detailed case studies demonstrating cost management expertise on large-scale construction projects, with a focus on data center-specific projects.
Include examples of cost estimates, budgets, and financial reports that showcase your ability to manage project finances effectively.
Highlight successful change order management and cost variance control strategies employed on previous projects.
Demonstrate understanding of procurement strategies, commercial management, and contract negotiation skills through relevant examples and case studies.
Research Turner & Townsend's company culture, values, and project delivery approach to ensure a strong cultural fit and alignment with the organization's mission and goals.

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

Senior Cost Manager - Data Center Construction