Associate Director – Cost Manager​/Quantity Surveyor – Data Center Construction

Overview

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. Our capabilities include program, 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 program, project and cost management offering in markets around the world.

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Associate Director —
Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to join our team and provide expert cost management services on a large-scale, mission-critical data center program. This is a client-facing leadership role requiring exceptional communication skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. In this position you will provide strategic leadership and direction, ensuring successful delivery of cost management services while embedding and promoting Turner & Townsend’s purpose, values, and vision.

You will manage both internal and external stakeholders, driving collaboration and accountability across the project lifecycle. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, with three days per week in our Phoenix office and remote flexibility for the remaining days.

• Lead end-to-end cost management across all project phases, ensuring alignment with scope, budget, and schedule for hyperscale data center programs and other sectors.
• Develop and maintain detailed cost plans, estimates, and forecasts using industry benchmarks and technical documentation.
• Manage change control: review and negotiate change orders, track post-contract variances, and ensure robust commercial governance.
• Oversee contractor and subcontractor pricing reviews, scope validation, and procurement strategy development; advise on contracting and procurement approaches and support program-level capital planning.
• Coordinate cost forecasts with project timelines and milestones by closely working with scheduling teams.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for commercial status reporting and present monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and financial updates to stakeholders.
• Engage with clients, stakeholders, and consultants at all project stages; maintain strong relationships with clients, vendors, and project teams.
• Drive cost risk analysis, scenario planning, and sensitivity testing; monitor market trends and provide insights on escalation, labor availability, and material pricing.
• Develop strategies for cost optimization and value engineering to improve outcomes and reduce lifecycle costs.
• Set and track KPIs and critical success factors; prepare and deliver presentations to senior leadership.
• Manage financial performance using internal systems to track margins, forecasts, and reporting; implement and maintain BMS and company delivery methodologies.
• Identify opportunities to improve cost management processes, templates, and tools; promote knowledge management by capturing lessons learned and data.
• Provide strong leadership with a clear strategy, mentor junior staff, conduct performance reviews, and foster a high-performance, collaborative culture.
• Act as a brand ambassador; build market understanding, create a pipeline of opportunities, and identify cross-selling opportunities.
• Participate in proposals and networking to expand market presence and relationships.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, where applicable.

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field; graduate degree preferred.
• 8–12 years of experience in cost management or project controls within the construction industry, ideally on large-scale, mission-critical projects (e.g., data centers, high-tech, industrial).
• Proven experience in construction…