Associate Director - Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Construction Management

About the role

Turner & Townsend are looking for an experienced Associate Director, Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to lead cost management services for a key client or several clients, primarily supporting commercial real estate programs alongside a diverse portfolio of projects.

Responsibilities

• Strong leadership skills, with experience leading cost management teams and ensuring delivery across all accountabilities on complex construction programs.
• Taking a lead role interfacing with clients, stakeholders, and consultants across all stages of commercial real estate and broader construction projects.
• Maintain excellent communication with clients and project teams throughout all project phases.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost control, and change management activities across the full project lifecycle, including fit-out, refurbishment, and ground-up developments.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with general contractors, owners’ representatives, and external stakeholders, taking responsibility for Turner & Townsend coordination within the overall construction process.
• Cook up and assist with the strategic and operational delivery of Cost Management and Project Controls services across a variety of project types and sectors.
• Act as the primary point of contact for reporting on the overall commercial status of projects and programs.
• Drive Turner & Townsend best practices at all stages of a project or program.
• Identify opportunities to improve cost management procedures, processes, templates, and tools.
• Undertake staff performance reviews and support career development initiatives.
• Set a clear strategy and ambition for the team aligned with client and business objectives.
• Identify, coach, and mentor talent to realize their potential and celebrate team success.
• Grow and develop high-performing teams across cost management and quantity surveying disciplines.
• Demonstrate excellence in leadership and service delivery in line with client expectations and contractual requirements.
• Manage financial performance by utilizing internal systems to track margins, fee forecasts, and resource planning across commissions.
• Develop priority plans including risk mitigation strategies, performance tracking through KPIs, and alignment with company objectives.
• Implement and maintain internal Business Management Systems and delivery methodologies to ensure consistent best practice application.
• Undertake internal BMS audits and coordinate external audit processes with certification authorities.
• Develop a strong understanding of the market, acting as a brand ambassador and building a pipeline of opportunities.
• Advise clients on contracting and procurement strategies across a range of delivery models, including program-level capital planning and reporting.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and cross-functional team members.
• Participate in leadership meetings and prepare and deliver presentations to senior stakeholders.
• Provide regular updates on project status, initiatives, and staffing, and propose solutions for leadership alignment and approval.
• Identify and pursue cross-selling and business development opportunities.
• Support knowledge management by capturing lessons learned and contributing to internal best practice databases.
• Attend relevant industry and networking events to support market presence and business growth.
• Act as a role model, promoting a collaborative culture that balances outcomes for people, clients, stakeholders, and society.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a related field.
• Graduate degree in quantity surveying, cost management, construction management, or engineering is preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in cost management within the construction industry, including experience on commercial real estate projects.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong foundation in quantity surveying practices, with RICS certification or working toward accreditation preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting projects across multiple sectors is valued.
• Excellent presentation, verbal, written, organizational, and communication skills.