Associate Director (Data Centre)

TURNER & TOWNSEND SDN. BHD.; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 350,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend in Kuala Lumpur seeks an Associate Director in Cost Management to lead delivery of cost management for large data centre developments, from inception to completion, driving commercial strategy, governance, client engagement and team leadership.

You will oversee cost planning across CSA, MEP and critical systems, manage budgets and reports, mentor cost professionals, and build strong client relationships to deliver value and ensure projects meet cost, quality and performance

Qualifications

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Cost Management, or related field.
• MRICS or equivalent accreditation preferred.
• 15+ years' experience in cost management or construction.
• Proven track record on data centre or mission-critical projects.
• Strong leadership in cost consultancy environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end cost management for complex data centre projects.
• Define cost strategies, benchmarks, and control frameworks.
• Oversee cost planning, estimating, and financial forecasting.
• Manage client interfaces and multidisciplinary teams.
• Mentor Cost Managers and drive team performance.

Skills

Cost Management

Data Centre

Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying or related

MRICS or equivalent preferred

Tools

CostX

MS Excel

Job 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.

Please visit our website: www.turnerandtownsend.com

Job Description

Role Overview

As an Associate Director in Cost Management, you will lead the delivery of cost management services across large-scale data centre and mission-critical developments, overseeing projects from inception to completion.

You will be responsible for driving commercial strategy, governance, client engagement, and team leadership, ensuring projects meet cost, quality, and performance objectives in highly complex, fast‑track environments.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the delivery of end-to-end cost management services for complex data centre projects.
• Define and implement cost strategies, benchmarks, and control frameworks to support successful project delivery.
• Act as Commission Manager, overseeing multiple high-value or complex commissions.

Cost Planning & Project Controls

• Lead cost planning, estimating, and financial forecasting across CSA, MEP, and mission-critical systems.
• Oversee preparation and presentation of cost plans, reports, and financial updates to clients.
• Drive value engineering and life cycle costing initiatives to optimise project performance.
• Implement robust controls across cost, schedule, risk, and change management.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary client interface, ensuring delivery of value-added commercial solutions.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams including clients, consultants, contractors, and vendors.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships to ensure project alignment and successful outcomes.

Commercial, Financial & Risk Management

• Monitor and manage project budgets, cost drivers, and financial performance.
• Lead contract administration, commercial negotiations, and variation management.
• Identify and mitigate cost and commercial risks across data centre developments.
• Ensure compliance with financial controls, governance frameworks, and client reporting standards.
• Lead and mentor Cost Managers and project teams, driving performance and career development.
• Foster a high‑performing, collaborative team culture.
• Manage team resourcing in line with project pipeline and business needs.

Business Development & Growth

• Contribute to business development, client engagement, and proposal activities.
• Identify new opportunities within the data centre and mission‑critical sectors.
• Support market growth through strategic insight, client relationships, and solution development.

Qualifications

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Cost Management, Construction, Engineering, or related discipline
• Master’s degree or professional accreditation (MRICS or equivalent) is preferred
• 15+ years’ experience in cost management or construction
• Proven track record delivering data centre, mission-critical, or MEP-intensive projects
• Strong experience in cost consultancy / professional services environments
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams and complex project portfolios
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking
• Expertise in cost planning, procurement, and contract management
• Excellent client‑facing and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to manage large‑scale, fast‑track, and complex environments
• Strong leadership and people management capability

Additional Information

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.

We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work‑life balance.

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.

Please find out more about us atwww.turnerandtownsend.com/

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Engineering & Project Management Services 101-1,000 employees

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