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

Company Description

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 programs as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success. 

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. 

Job Description

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Associate Director to provide strategic leadership and oversight for cost management / quantity surveying on a major, cutting-edge technology development. This role offers the opportunity to lead on a program of significant scale and complexity, supporting next-generation infrastructure for innovative technology solutions.

You will be responsible for driving cost certainty and value optimization across all phases of a multi-billion-dollar program. Key responsibilities include developing cost strategies, implementing governance frameworks, and managing risk while ensuring alignment with client objectives and regulatory requirements. The role requires strong leadership, commercial acumen, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders and decision-makers.

Travel Requirement:
The role will require approximately 50% travel per month (one week on-site in Cheyenne, WY and one week remote) to support project delivery and stakeholder engagement. Travel arrangements and accommodations will be provided to ensure a smooth and productive on-site experience.


Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for cost management across a multi-phase hyperscale data center program, ensuring governance and compliance with client and regulatory standards.
• Develop and implement cost strategies, frameworks, and reporting structures to manage budgets exceeding multi-billion-dollar scale.
• Oversee full lifecycle cost management activities, including early-stage budgeting, detailed cost planning, procurement strategy, and risk mitigation.
• Advise senior stakeholders on commercial strategy, procurement models, and contract negotiations for complex packages involving energy infrastructure and sustainability initiatives.
• Lead executive-level reporting, presenting cost performance, forecasts, and risk assessments to client leadership teams.
• Drive value engineering and design optimization initiatives to identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising performance.
• Manage contingency tracking, commitments, and cost impacts across multiple packages and phases.
• Mentor and develop cost management teams, ensuring capability growth and succession planning.
• Contribute to the enhancement of internal cost management tools, templates, and processes for continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, vendors, and internal teams, acting as a trusted advisor.
• Participate in risk workshops and proactively identify financial risks, developing mitigation strategies.
• Support preconstruction activities, feasibility studies, and early-stage cost modeling for future phases.
• Coordinate with energy infrastructure partners and understand cost implications of natural gas power strategies, renewable integration, and carbon capture systems.
• Manage cost considerations for fiber connectivity and large-scale land development in remote region

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in cost management or project controls, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience managing large-scale, mission-critical construction programs (e.g., hyperscale data centers, energy infrastructure, industrial).
• Expertise in cost planning, budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control systems at program level.
• Strong knowledge of procurement strategies and commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.
• RICS accreditation or equivalent professional certification strongly preferred.
• Exceptional leadership, communi