Lead Cost Manager - Columbus, Ohio, United States

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 improv ...

Job description

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 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. 

Job Description

Turner & Townsend are looking for an Lead Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to drive commercial strategy and cost governance for a large-scale, multi-phase data center development program in Conesville, Ohio.

Travel, Per Diem & Relocation:

• Per diem provided for required travel.
• Mileage reimbursement available for candidates living within driving distance.
• For those traveling farther, the client will cover travel for 1–2 weeks per month on‑site.
• Relocation assistance is available for candidates interested in moving closer to the site.

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

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

Responsibilities

• Lead cost management strategy and governance across multi-phase data center programs, 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 optimization 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 preconstruction activities, feasibility studies, and early-stage cost modeling 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, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Able to work on‑site in Conesville, OH as required, with a flexible hybrid schedule and available per diem, travel, or relocation support.
• 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 programs (e.g., data centers, industrial, energy infrastructure).
• Expertise in cost planning, budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control systems at program level.
• Strong knowledge of procurement strategies, commercial management, and construction contracts.
• RICS accreditation or equivalent professional certification strongly preferred.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in industry-standard cost management tools and software.
• Familiarity with MEP systems and complex building services is beneficial.
• Ability to manage multiple phases and packages concurrently in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with value engineering and design optimization techniques.
• Knowledge of sustainability considerations and energy infrastructure is a plus.

Additional Information

*On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's needs.

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.

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All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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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.