Associate Director

Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries. 

Working with our clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, we transform together delivering outcomes that improve people's lives. Working in partnership makes it possible to deliver the world's most impactful projects and programmes as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success. 

Our capabilities include programme, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions. 

We are majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with our partners holding a significant minority interest. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide clients with the premier programme, project and cost management offering in markets around the world. 

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Associate Director (Cost Management / Quantity Surveying) to lead cost management services for a large, complex data center program. In this client-facing leadership role, you will set strategy, ensure governance, and drive delivery from feasibility through final accounts. The ideal candidate combines commercial expertise with strong leadership skills to manage teams, mitigate risk, and deliver best practice in a fast-paced, mission-critical environment.

As Associate Director, you will oversee estimating, cost planning, procurement, change control, value engineering, risk management, and executive reporting. You will embed Turner & Townsend methodologies, ensure compliance, and lead team development while managing financial performance and supporting account growth.

Responsibilities: 

• Lead client accounts and programs as the first point of contact for all commercial matters; set strategy, priorities, and standards for delivery.
• Direct the full cost lifecycle (feasibility → final accounts): robust estimates, cost plans/budgets, baselines, updates at design milestones, and timely closeout.
• Own procurement/commercial strategy: review contractor/subcontractor pricing, lead negotiations, advise on contracting routes, and align with schedule/scope.
• Govern change control: validate and negotiate change orders, maintain audit‑ready documentation, and manage post‑contract variances.
• Drive value engineering and optioneering to deliver cost, schedule, and TCO benefits without compromising functionality.
• Strengthen cost controls: track commitments, contingency, and EACs; deliver monthly valuations, KPIs, benchmarks, and executive‑ready reports/presentations.
• Lead risk analysis and scenario planning (market conditions, labor, materials) and implement mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate across stakeholders (design incl. MEP/BIM, GC, vendors, PMO) to integrate cost with schedule and scope and inform engineering priorities.
• Assure governance and compliance: apply financial systems and SOX controls; implement Turner & Townsend Business Management Systems (BMS); lead/represent on internal and external audits.
• Negotiate final accounts and maintain benchmarking databases to improve predictability and performance.
• People leadership: set team ambition, manage resourcing, conduct performance reviews, coach/mentor talent, and elevate processes and templates.
• Commercial leadership: manage commission P&L (margins, fees, resource forecasts); provide weekly status updates; present to senior leadership.
• Market & growth: act as a brand ambassador; cultivate client relationships; identify cross‑sell opportunities; lead/assist in proposals and RFP responses; participate in industry networking.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable. 

• A minimum of 8 years in construction cost management/quantity surveying; consultancy experience strongly preferred.
• Proven delivery on large‑scale, complex programs; data center/mission‑critical experience preferred.
• Subject‑matter expertise in estimating, cost planning, procurement & commercial negotiation, change control, and post‑contract cost management.
• Bachelor's degree in construction management, quantity surveying, engineering, or related field; graduate degree preferred.
• RICS chartered (or equivalent) preferred; outstanding presentation, writing, and communication.
• Strong capability in value engineering, risk analysis, benchmarking, and integrating cost with schedule and scope.
• Proficient in Excel and cost management tools; familiarity with BI/visualization (e.g., dashboards) is a plus.
• Demonstrated team leadership, stakeholder management, and client‑facing excellence in matrixed environments.

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

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.

We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance. 

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

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All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time. 

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