Associate Director - Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

About the role

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Associate Director Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to lead commercial and financial delivery on a large-scale, complex construction program, with a focus on mission-critical and high-value capital projects. This senior leadership role oversees end-to-end cost management across fast-paced, multi-phase developments and serves as a trusted advisor to key stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Strong leadership skills, experience leading a cost management team, ensuring delivery across all accountabilities.
• Lead interfacing with client, stakeholders and consultants at all project stages.
• Maintain clear communication with client(s) and project teams throughout delivery.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost controls and change management activities across the project lifecycle.
• Lead commercial and financial management including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting across large, fast-track construction programs.
• Communicate effectively with contractors, owner’s representatives, and stakeholders, ensuring coordination within the construction process.
• Cook up and support the delivery of Cost Management and Project Controls Services.
• Act as the primary point of contact for commercial status and reporting.
• Drive best practice and continuous improvement in cost management processes and tools.
• Lead procurement strategy, contractor pricing reviews, and change order negotiations.
• Undertake staff performance reviews and support team development.
• Set strategy, coach and mentor team members, and build high-performing teams.
• Ensure excellence in service delivery aligned with company standards.
• Manage financial performance including margin tracking, forecasting, and reporting.
• Provide cost risk analysis, contingency planning, and mitigation strategies.
• Support KPI tracking, planning, and performance management.
• Implement and maintain business systems, methodologies, and audit processes.
• Advise on contracting and procurement strategies across large-scale programs.
• Build strong client and internal relationships.
• Support leadership reporting, presentations, and project updates.
• Contribute to business development, proposals, and pipeline growth.
• Capture and share lessons learned and knowledge across projects.
• Promote a collaborative, high-performance culture aligned with company values.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a related construction-focused discipline.
• Graduate degree in quantity surveying, construction management, engineering, or similar field is preferred.
• Minimum 8+ years of progressive experience in cost management, quantity surveying, or commercial management within the construction industry.
• Proven experience delivering services on large-scale, complex, multi-phase construction programs.
• Strong consultancy background with demonstrated client-facing and advisory experience.
• Experience working in fast-paced, high-value capital project environments with multiple concurrent workstreams is highly desirable.
• Expertise in quantity surveying, cost planning, procurement, and commercial management principles.
• Strong understanding of contract administration, change management, and cost control methodologies.
• Experience leading teams, managing performance, and mentoring junior professionals.
• Professional accreditation (e.g., RICS or equivalent) is preferred or in progress.
• Demonstrated ability to manage stakeholder relationships at all levels, including senior leadership.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with strong commercial acumen.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and capable of working independently and within a team environment.