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 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. 

Job Description

Turner & Townsend is seeking an Associate Director level Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to lead commercial strategy and cost governance for a large, multi‑phase data center development program. This $4B program, located approximately one hour from St. Louis, Missouri, includes a substantial new‑build campus requiring strong commercial leadership, cost discipline, and program‑level coordination across multiple phases and packages.

As a senior leader, you will act as a trusted advisor to key stakeholders, steering cost planning, procurement strategy, risk management, and value engineering to ensure the program is delivered with commercial rigor and consistent governance.

Travel Requirement

Candidates may be based remotely, with preference for Chicago, IL or Indianapolis, IN for ease of in‑person client interaction. Monthly travel (2–3 days per trip) to the project site near St. Louis, MO is required.

Responsibilities: 

• Provide strategic leadership for cost management across a multi‑phase data center program, ensuring governance, compliance, and alignment with organizational standards.
• Develop and implement cost strategies, frameworks, and reporting structures for multi‑billion‑dollar budgets, including early‑stage budgeting, detailed cost planning, procurement strategy, and risk mitigation.
• Serve as the primary client interface, maintaining strong communication with stakeholders and consultants throughout all project stages.
• Advise senior stakeholders on commercial strategy, procurement models, and contract negotiations for complex construction packages.
• Oversee full‑lifecycle cost management, including quantity surveying, cost controls, change management, and contingency tracking.
• Lead executive‑level reporting, presenting cost performance, forecasts, and risk assessments.
• Drive value engineering and design optimization initiatives to identify cost‑saving opportunities.
• Mentor and develop cost management teams, supporting capability growth and succession planning.
• Contribute to improvements in internal cost management tools, templates, and processes.
• Manage financial performance, including margin tracking, fee/resource forecasting, and compliance with Business Management Systems (BMS).
• Support preconstruction activities, feasibility studies, and early‑stage cost modeling for future phases.
• Build strong relationships with clients, contractors, and vendors, identifying opportunities for business growth and cross‑selling.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable. 

Qualifications

• Ability to travel to the St. Louis, MO area monthly (1–2 trips, 2–3 days each).
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of cost management or project controls experience, including 3–5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience managing large‑scale, mission‑critical, or industrial construction programs.
• Data center construction experience is strongly preferred.
• Expertise in cost planning, budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control systems at a program level.
• Strong knowledge of procurement strategies, commercial management, and construction contracts, including risk and change management.
• RICS accreditation or similar professional certification strongly preferred.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and negotiation skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Advanced analytical skills with strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency in industry‑standard cost management tools and softwar