Associate Director Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor – Data Center Construction

About the role

Turner & Townsend is seeking an Associate Director level Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to lead commercial strategy and cost governance for a large, multi-phase data center development program in the Coal City, IL area.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for cost management across a multi-phase data center program, ensuring governance, compliance, and alignment with organizational standards.
• Develop and implement cost strategies, frameworks, and reporting structures for multi-billion-dollar budgets, including early-stage budgeting, detailed cost planning, procurement strategy, and risk mitigation.
• Serve as the primary client interface, maintaining strong communication with stakeholders and consultants throughout all project stages.
• Advise senior stakeholders on commercial strategy, procurement models, and contract negotiations for complex construction packages.
• Oversee full lifecycle cost management, including quantity surveying, cost controls, change management, and contingency tracking.
• Lead executive-level reporting, presenting cost performance, forecasts, and risk assessments.
• Drive value engineering and design optimization initiatives to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Mentor and develop cost management teams, supporting capability growth and succession planning.
• Contribute to improvements in internal cost management tools, templates, and processes.
• Manage financial performance, including margin tracking, fee/resource forecasting, and compliance with Business Management Systems (BMS).
• Support preconstruction activities, feasibility studies, and early-stage cost modeling for future phases.
• Build strong relationships with clients, contractors, and vendors, identifying opportunities for business growth and cross-selling.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Able to work on-site in the Coal City, IL area with hybrid flexibility; travel, or relocation support available.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of cost management or project controls experience, including 3–5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience managing large-scale, mission-critical, or industrial construction programs.
• Expertise in cost planning, budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control systems at a program level.
• Strong knowledge of procurement strategies, commercial management, and construction contracts, including risk and change management.
• RICS accreditation or similar professional certification strongly preferred.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and negotiation skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Advanced analytical skills with strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency in industry-standard cost management tools and software.
• Ability to manage multiple phases and packages concurrently in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with value engineering and design optimization methodologies.