Senior Cost Estimator - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend•San Francisco, CA

1d•$100,000 - $170,000•Onsite

About The Position

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. Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Estimator to support a high‑profile client’s large‑scale, multi‑billion‑dollar data center construction portfolio. You’ll contribute to multi‑building campus developments, new greenfield facilities, and major expansion programs within a single, complex program of work. The role requires strong estimating capability, comfort operating in fast‑moving environments, and experience supporting multi‑phase delivery across major capital projects.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related construction field.
7+ years of relevant experience in construction estimating/cost management (e.g., Estimator, Cost Estimator, Cost Manager, Quantity Surveyor, Cost Engineer), including work on large‑scale programs.
Solid understanding of construction procurement methods and commercial contract structures.
Demonstrated success contributing to VE, feasibility, and design/cost optimization discussions.
Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and client‑facing presentations); ability to distill complexity and drive decisions.
Highly organized, comfortable prioritizing across multiple projects in a collaborative, fast‑paced environment.
Tools: Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Nice To Haves

Data center/mission‑critical experience strongly preferred (multi‑building campuses, greenfield builds, major expansions).
Proven expertise in conceptual estimating, quantity takeoff, and cost fundamentals across CSA scopes; MEP exposure is a plus.
hands‑on experience with CostX (2D/3D takeoff, assemblies, workbooks) is advantageous; familiarity with AutoCAD and/or Navisworks preferred.
Professional accreditation (e.g., RICS) or active progress toward certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage cost plans and detailed estimates from concept through detailed design across multiple geographies; lead reviews with internal and external teams.
Present milestone cost updates (concept, schematic, DD, CD) and clearly communicate basis of estimate, assumptions, inclusions/exclusions, and risks.
Lead quantity takeoffs and cost checks for complex, multi‑package scopes; ensure alignment between scope, drawings/models, and estimate.
Provide program‑level estimating for defined scopes, synthesizing inputs across multiple projects/campuses to support portfolio decisions.
Review contractor pricing (bids, pay applications, and change orders); perform comparative assessments and develop recommendations.
Drive benchmarking and cost modeling, building, maintaining, and applying historical cost data and metrics; support life‑cycle cost (LCC) analyses.
Facilitate value engineering (VE) at project and program levels; develop cost/benefit options and support feasibility/early‑stage cost modeling.
Support procurement and preconstruction, including prequalification, bid list development, bid analysis, tender reporting, and contract documentation.
Partner closely with cost management, procurement, and project controls to align estimating outputs with budgeting, commercial strategy, and program‑level cost planning.
Assess design changes and emerging technologies and produce timely estimate updates at appropriate accuracy levels.
Mentor and coordinate support staff; contribute to training materials, templates, and tools for internal and external estimating teams.
Prepare leadership‑ready materials for client preconstruction and estimating presentations.
SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role and must be adhered to where applicable.