(CSA) Senior Cost Manager (Data Centre)

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.

Please visit our website: www.turnerandtownsend.com

Job Description

Role Overview

The Senior Cost Manager – Data Centre Projects will lead the delivery of full lifecycle cost management services across large‑scale, mission‑critical facilities. This role is responsible for ensuring robust commercial control, cost certainty, and strategic advisory across hyperscale data centre developments, including base build and fit‑out works.

You will act as a key commercial advisor, managing complex packages such as CSA, MEP, and specialist data centre systems, while working closely with clients, consultants, and contractors to drive successful project outcomes.

 

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Leadership & Cost Strategy

• Lead the development and management of project budgets, cost plans, and forecasting for data centre developments.
• Provide strategic cost advice on value engineering, procurement strategies, and cost optimisation.
• Establish cost control frameworks aligned with programme, risk, and delivery strategies.

Cost Planning & Pre‑Contract Services

• Oversee preparation of detailed cost estimates, benchmarking, and feasibility studies.
• Lead cost planning through concept, design, and pre‑construction stages.
• Challenge design solutions and propose alternatives to optimise cost, performance, and constructability in mission‑critical environments.

Procurement & Tender Management

• Develop and implement procurement strategies for CSA, MEP, and specialist systems (e.g. power, cooling, containment).
• Lead tender processes including tender documentation, evaluations, negotiations, and recommendations.
• Ensure commercial alignment across multiple contract packages and vendors.

Post‑Contract Cost Control

• Manage post‑contract activities including variations, change control, claims assessment, and cost reporting.
• Oversee contractor valuations and certify payments in line with contractual terms.
• Lead final account negotiations and project close‑out.

Stakeholder & Client Management

• Act as the primary commercial interface with clients, project teams, and key stakeholders.
• Present cost reports, forecasts, and commercial insights to senior stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring a high level of service delivery.

Data Centre / Technical Coordination

• Work closely with engineering teams to understand power, cooling, redundancy (Tier standards), and infrastructure requirements.
• Provide commercial oversight on critical systems including UPS, generators, chillers, CRAH/CRAC units, and structured cabling.
• Support alignment between design intent and cost efficiency in highly technical environments.

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Lead and mentor Cost Managers and Assistant Cost Managers within the team.
• Review deliverables to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with project standards.
• Support team development and capability building.

Governance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with internal governance, financial controls, and client reporting requirements.
• Identify cost risks early and develop mitigation strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement and knowledge sharing across data centre project

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Cost Management, Construction Management, or related discipline.
• Professional accreditation (e.g. MRICS or equivalent) is preferred.

Experience

• 10–15 years’ experience in cost management within construction projects.
• Proven experience delivering data centre, mission‑critical, or high‑tech industrial projects.
• Strong exposure to CSA and MEP trade packages, including complex and high‑value procurement.
• Experience working in fast‑track, high‑pressure delivery environments with multiple stakeholders.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Deep understanding of cost management principles, procurement, and contract administration
• Ability to manage complexity across multi‑package, multi‑vendor environments
• Proactive, detail‑oriented, and results‑driven

Additional Information

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/

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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.