Lead / Associate Cost Director

Turner & Townsend; Doha; On-site; QAR 446,000 - 725,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend in Doha, Qatar seeks an experienced Lead/Associate Cost Director to oversee all cost management functions, drive financial optimization, and lead a team of cost professionals. You will shape cost strategy, ensure efficiency, and deliver measurable financial impact across the organization.

The role requires 10–12 years in cost management within consultancies, MRICS or equivalent, and strong leadership, budgeting, forecasting, and data analytics capabilities.

Qualifications

• 10–12 years of progressive cost management/financial analysis experience in consultancy firms (not contractor-based).
• MRICS or equivalent professional qualification.
• Real estate, property development, or construction cost management expertise.
• Proven leadership of high-performing teams.
• Advanced proficiency in budgeting, forecasting, cost modelling and cost control.
• Strong ERP and Excel capabilities.
• Excellent analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven track record in cost optimization initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a cost team of analysts and accounting professionals.
• Develop, monitor, and manage budgets and cost forecasts across units.
• Perform detailed cost analysis and variance investigations using financial modelling and data analytics.
• Design and implement cost control strategies and process improvements.
• Prepare and present financial reports, analyses, and strategic recommendations to senior management.
• Collaborate with department heads to set realistic cost parameters and monitor expenditures.
• Identify and evaluate cost reduction opportunities while maintaining quality and standards.

Skills

Cost management

Financial analysis

Budgeting & forecasting

Cost control methodologies

Leadership

ERP systems

Advanced Excel

Stakeholder management

Education

MRICS or equivalent

Tools

ERP systems

Excel (Advanced)

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

We are seeking an experienced and analytically‑minded Lead/Associate Cost Director to join our organization in Doha, Qatar. In this pivotal role, you will oversee all cost management functions, drive financial optimization initiatives, and lead a talented team of cost professionals. You will be instrumental in shaping our cost strategy, ensuring operational efficiency, and delivering measurable financial impact across the organization.

• Lead and mentor a team of cost analysts and accounting professionals, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement
• Develop, monitor, and manage comprehensive budgets and cost forecasts across all business units
• Conduct detailed cost analysis and variance investigations using financial modeling and data analytics to identify trends, inefficiencies, and optimization opportunities
• Design and implement cost control strategies and process improvements that enhance organizational profitability while ensuring compliance with financial policies and accounting standards
• Prepare and present financial reports, cost analyses, and strategic recommendations to senior management and stakeholders
• Collaborate with department heads and project managers to establish realistic cost parameters and monitor project expenditures
• Identify and evaluate cost reduction opportunities while maintaining quality and operational standards

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 10-12 years of progressive experience in cost management, financial analysis, or cost accounting within consultancy firms (not contractor‑based organizations)
• Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) or equivalent professional qualification
• Demonstrated expertise in Real Estate, property development, or construction cost management
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing high‑performing teams
• Advanced proficiency in financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, cost modelling, and cost control methodologies
• Proficiency with ERP systems and advanced Excel capabilities
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities
• Demonstrated ability to drive process improvements and cost optimization initiatives

Preferred Qualifications

• Local experience working in the Middle East region, particularly Qatar or the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets
• Background in property‑based or project‑based cost management within the Real Estate sector
• Experience with financial planning and analysis (FP&A) functions in consultancy environments
• Demonstrated success in change management and organizational transformation initiatives
• Additional professional qualifications such as CPA, CMA, or RICS accreditation

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 at www.turnerandtownsend.com/