Cost Trend Manager – Data Center Construction

About the Role

• Develop and maintain cost‑trend models for labor, material, equipment and subcontractor markets in data‑center projects. • Track historical cost data and produce accurate cost‑escalation forecasts. • Identify emerging cost risks and opportunities through market analysis and vendor input. • Create dashboards and reports to communicate cost trends to executive leadership. • Collaborate with estimating teams during conceptual and schematic design to establish cost benchmarks. • Lead cost‑trending during early design iterations and validate budgets at each design milestone. • Provide cost‑trend insights to shape procurement strategies and bid negotiations. • Research construction market conditions, including labor rates, material indexes and regional cost factors. • Maintain up‑to‑date commodity indexes and regional cost databases for key data‑center components. • Produce monthly/quarterly cost‑trend reports and present findings to Finance, Development and Program Management. • Support program‑level risk and contingency evaluations and advise on value‑engineering opportunities. • Ensure consistency and accuracy of cost‑trend methodologies across all projects and regions, adhering to SOX controls where applicable.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸cost modeling
• ▸forecasting
• ▸market analysis
• ▸dashboard reporting
• ▸design collaboration
• ▸procurement strategy

What You Bring

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Cost Trend Manager to analyse, manage and forecast cost trends for large‑scale data‑center construction programmes. The role bridges pre‑construction, estimating, market intelligence and program controls, providing early visibility into cost drivers to support strategic budgeting decisions. The ideal candidate brings deep pre‑construction experience, expertise in cost modelling, benchmarking, escalation forecasting and knowledge of mission‑critical facility markets. • Minimum 7 years’ experience in pre‑construction, cost management or project controls for large‑scale commercial or mission‑critical builds. • Proven expertise in cost modelling, benchmarking and escalation forecasting, preferably in data‑center or heavy MEP projects. • Proficiency with estimating and data‑analysis tools such as CostX, WinEst, RSMeans, Power BI and Excel. • Strong communication skills to translate complex data into executive‑level insights. • Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Economics or a related field; experience with major data‑center developers or top GCs is a plus.

Requirements

• ▸7+ years
• ▸cost modelling
• ▸costx
• ▸winest
• ▸powerbi
• ▸construction degree

Benefits

The company promotes a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work‑life balance, encourages employee voice and supports personal success. Turner & Townsend is an equal‑opportunity employer that celebrates diversity and fosters an inclusive environment for all employees.

Work Environment

Onsite