Senior Cost Manager - Data Centre Projects

About the role

Turner & Townsend is hiring a Senior Cost Manager for data centre projects in Kuala Lumpur. The role leads full lifecycle cost management for large-scale, mission-critical facilities, ensuring commercial control, cost certainty and strategic advice across hyperscale data centre developments, including base build and fit-out works. It acts as a key commercial advisor for complex packages such as CSA, MEP and specialist data centre systems.

Key responsibilities

• Lead project budgets, cost plans and forecasting, and advise on value engineering, procurement strategy and cost optimisation
• Establish cost control frameworks aligned with programme, risk and delivery strategies
• Oversee detailed cost estimates, benchmarking and feasibility studies, and lead cost planning through concept, design and pre-construction stages
• Challenge design solutions and propose alternatives to optimise cost, performance and constructability
• Develop procurement strategies for CSA, MEP and specialist systems, and lead tenders, evaluations, negotiations and recommendations
• Manage post-contract variations, change control, claims assessment and cost reporting, oversee contractor valuations and payments, and lead final account negotiations
• Act as the primary commercial interface with clients, present cost reports and forecasts, and build strong client relationships
• Work with engineering teams on power, cooling, redundancy (Tier standards) and infrastructure, covering UPS, generators, chillers, CRAH/CRAC units and structured cabling
• Lead and mentor Cost Managers and Assistant Cost Managers, and ensure compliance with governance, financial controls and client reporting

Required profile

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Cost Management, Construction Management or a related discipline
• Professional accreditation (e.g. MRICS or equivalent) preferred
• 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, high-value procurement
• Experience in fast-track, high-pressure delivery environments with multiple stakeholders

Required skills

• Cost management principles, procurement and contract administration
• Multi-package, multi-vendor commercial management
• Stakeholder management and communication