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 Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to lead cost management services on a major, multi-phase hyperscale data center construction program based in the Dallas, TX area, with periodic travel to a large campus site in central Texas.

In this role, you will serve as a senior client interface and strategic lead, responsible for delivering disciplined cost control, clear communication, and strong stakeholder coordination across both the regional team and active project site. You will combine hands-on project delivery with leadership responsibilities, ensuring excellence in execution while developing high-performing teams.

The ideal candidate brings deep construction cost expertise, experience supporting large-scale data center or industrial programs, and confidence operating in a client-facing leadership capacity.


Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to cost management teams, ensuring successful delivery across all accountabilities.
• Set clear strategy, priorities, and ambition for the team while driving performance against company goals.
• Identify, coach, and mentor talent; conduct staff performance reviews and support career development.
• Promote Turner & Townsend’s purpose, values, and vision, fostering a one-business culture.
• Act as the primary point of contact for clients, maintaining strong relationships and serving as a trusted advisor.
• Lead interface with clients, contractors, consultants, and stakeholders at all project stages.
• Communicate effectively with owners’ representatives, general contractors, and cross-functional teams.
• Provide regular updates on project status, risks, and solutions to senior leadership.
• Lead cost management and quantity surveying activities across the full project lifecycle.
• Oversee cost controls, change management, budgeting, and forecasting for large-scale programs.
• Ensure consistent application of Turner & Townsend best practices, tools, and methodologies.
• Serve as the lead on commercial reporting, including overall project financial health and status.
• Advise clients on procurement, contracting strategies, and program-level capital planning.
• Support strategic and operational management of Cost Management and Project Controls services.
• Utilize internal systems to track financial performance, margins, and fee/resource forecasts.
• Implement KPI tracking, risk mitigation plans, and performance management tools.
• Maintain and audit Business Management Systems (BMS) to ensure compliance and best practices.
• Build strong client and industry relationships, acting as a brand ambassador.
• Identify and pursue business development and cross-selling opportunities.
• Support proposal development and RFP responses.
• Develop market insight and contribute to pipeline growth.
• Participate in networking events and industry engagements.
• Identify opportunities to improve cost management processes, tools, and templates.
• Ensure lessons learned and key project insights are captured and shared internally.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, quantity surveying, cost management, engineering, or a related field.
• Graduate degree preferred.
• Minimum 8+ years of experience in cost management within the construction industry, including leadership responsibility.
• Strong experience delivering large-scale data center, industrial, or similar complex programs.
• Construction consultancy experience strongly preferred.
• Subject Matter Expert in Quantity