Associate Director Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

About the role

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Associate Director Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to lead cost management services for a global technology client supporting a large-scale data center construction program. This individual will provide commercial leadership across all phases of project delivery, managing internal and external stakeholders while ensuring the successful execution of cost management, project controls, and commercial management services on complex, high-value capital projects.

Please note: While this position is being advertised in the Dallas market, the role requires full-time onsite presence Monday through Friday in Rayville, Louisiana. Candidates open to relocating are preferred; however, a per diem is available for qualified candidates who can work locally at the project site during the week.

The ideal candidate will have strong leadership and client-facing skills, experience managing large-scale construction programs, and the ability to drive financial performance, cost control, forecasting, change management, and risk mitigation across multiple project teams. In this significant role, you will provide leadership and direction while embedding and promoting the purpose, values, and vision of Turner & Townsend.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost management services across large-scale data center construction projects and programs from planning through closeout.
• Serve as the primary client contact for commercial and cost management matters, building strong relationships with key stakeholders.
• Lead project teams in the development and management of budgets, forecasts, cost reports, cash flow analyses, and financial performance metrics.
• Provide commercial leadership and strategic cost advice to support informed project and program decision-making.
• Establish and maintain project controls, cost reporting processes, and governance procedures across multiple project workstreams.
• Lead quantity surveying, cost control, estimating, and change management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Oversee the review, evaluation, and negotiation of change orders, claims, and commercial risk events.
• Monitor project performance, identify commercial risks and opportunities, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Support procurement, contracting, and vendor selection activities, providing guidance on commercial and contractual matters.
• Coordinate effectively with clients, contractors, consultants, and project teams to ensure successful project delivery.
• Review and validate cost reporting, applications for payment, invoices, and project financial reconciliations.
• Support schedule-related cost impacts, risk analysis, and forecasting to maintain alignment between cost and project objectives.
• Drive consistency and implementation of Turner & Townsend cost management and project controls best practices.
• Lead and mentor cost management professionals, fostering a high-performing and collaborative team environment.
• Provide oversight of project staffing, resource planning, financial performance, and commission delivery.
• Prepare and present commercial updates, project status reports, and executive-level presentations to clients and leadership.
• Identify process improvements and opportunities to enhance project controls, reporting, and cost management performance.
• Support business development activities, including client relationship management, proposals, and pursuit efforts.
• Capture and share lessons learned and best practices across projects and programs.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence aligned with Turner & Townsend values.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role and are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Cost Management, or a related field.
• Graduate degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline is preferred.
• Minimum 8+ years of experience in cost management, quantity surveying, project controls, or commercial management within the construction industry.
• Experience leading cost management services on large-scale data center, mission-critical, industrial, or complex capital construction programs.
• Demonstrated experience managing project budgets, forecasting, cost reporting, cash flow, change management, and commercial risk.
• Strong understanding of project controls, cost management principles, contract administration, procurement, and project governance.
• Experience working within a construction consultancy or professional services environment is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage client and stakeholder relationships across complex projects.
• Experience supporting major construction programs from planning and procurement through execution and closeout.
• Knowledge of industry-standard cost management and project controls systems; experience with Primavera P6, Oracle Unifier, or similar platforms is preferred.
• RICS certification or equivalent professional accreditation is preferred.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to influence project teams and senior stakeholders while driving successful project outcomes.

Additional Information

*On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's needs.

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