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

Turner & Townsend Limited; Saskatchewan; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A global professional services firm located in Canada is looking for an experienced Associate Director - Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to lead cost management on critical data center projects. Candidates should possess 8-10 years in cost management, strong stakeholder and communication skills, and a Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields. The ideal candidate will demonstrate expertise in budgeting, financial reporting, and project controls. This role offers opportunities for leadership and professional growth in a customer-facing environment.

Benefits

Flexible working environment

Health and wellness support

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years of experience in cost management or project controls within the construction industry.
• Proven experience in construction consultancy and client-facing delivery.
• Strong understanding of MEP systems and campus-scale infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end cost management across all project phases for data center programs.
• Develop and maintain detailed cost plans, estimates, and forecasts.
• Manage financial performance using internal systems to track margins and reporting.

Skills

Cost management

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering or related field

Graduate degree preferred

Tools

CostX

Oracle

Excel

Primavera

Job description

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

Full-time

Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries. We transform real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources by 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. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide the premier program, project and cost management offering worldwide.

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director – Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to provide expert cost management services on a large‑scale, mission‑critical data center program. This client‑facing leadership role requires exceptional communication skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. In this significant position, you will provide strategic leadership and direction, ensuring successful delivery of cost management services while embedding and promoting our purpose, values and vision. You will manage both internal and external stakeholders, driving collaboration and accountability across the project lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end cost management across all project phases 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 closely with scheduling teams to integrate cost forecasts with project timelines and milestones.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for commercial status reporting; produce and present monthly cost reports, executive summaries and financial updates to stakeholders.
• Take a lead role interfacing with clients, stakeholders and consultants at all project stages; maintain excellent communication and build strong relationships.
• 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 optimisation and value engineering to enhance outcomes and reduce lifecycle costs.
• Set and track performance via 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 Business Management Systems (BMS) and delivery methodologies to ensure best practice.
• Identify opportunities to improve cost management processes, templates and tools; champion knowledge management by capturing lessons learnt and key data.
• Provide strong leadership with a clear strategy and ambition for the team; mentor and develop junior staff, conduct performance reviews and foster a high‑performance, collaborative culture.
• Act as a brand ambassador; develop market understanding, build a pipeline of opportunities and identify cross‑selling and business generation opportunities.
• Participate in proposals/RFP responses and attend networking events to expand market presence and relationships.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering or a related field; graduate degree preferred.
• 8–10+ years of experience in cost management or project controls within the construction industry, ideally on large‑scale, mission‑critical projects (e.g., data centres, high‑tech, industrial).
• Proven experience in construction consultancy and client‑facing delivery.
• Strong understanding of MEP systems, resilience requirements and campus‑scale infrastructure.
• Expertise in budgeting, financial reporting, cost control systems, Earned Value Management (EVM) and procurement strategies.
• Proficiency with industry‑standard cost management tools and software (e.g., CostX, Oracle, Excel, Primavera).
• RICS accreditation or equivalent certification (or progress toward certification) highly desirable.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities, highly organised and able to manage multiple priorities under pressure.

On‑site presence and requirements may change depending on our clients’ needs.

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

Benefits

We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change. We support a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work–life balance.