Associate Director - Cost Manager - Commercial Real Estate Construction

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Associate Director Cost Manager to lead cost management for key construction programs and capital projects across California. You will manage internal and external relationships, ensuring successful delivery across all project phases, while guiding a skilled cost team.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in quantity surveying, leadership, and client-facing roles, with a focus on accuracy, efficiency, and strategic value creation for

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management or related field.
• Minimum 8 years in cost management within construction.
• Experience in leadership and client-facing environments.
• Strong knowledge of cost modelling, budgeting, and procurement.
• RICScertified or equivalent accreditation.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost management services across capital projects in California.
• Interface with clients, stakeholders, and consultants at all stages.
• Perform cost controls, quantity surveying, and change management.
• Develop cost models and benchmarks to enable rapid estimating.
• Mentor and develop a high-performing cost management team.
• Ensure SOX compliance and alignment with firm policies.

Skills

8 years experience in cost management

Construction consultancy

Quantity surveying expertise

RICScertified

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in construction management / cost management / quantity surveying / engineering

Graduate degree in quantity surveying / cost management / construction management / engineering

Job description

• Full-time

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 & Townsendis seeking an experiencedAssociate Director Cost Managerto lead cost management services for key construction programs and capital projects throughout California. This individual willbe responsible formanaging internal and external stakeholder relationships while ensuring the successful delivery of cost management services across all phases of the project lifecycle.

To be successful in this role, you mustpossessexcellent communication and leadership skills and be comfortable operating in a client‑facing environment. The ideal candidate will be self‑motivated, results‑driven, and capable of working independently while effectively leading and collaborating with project teams. In this key leadership position, you will provide strategic direction, foster high‑performing teams, and promote Turner & Townsend's purpose, values, and vision across project delivery and client engagements.

Responsibilities:

• Strongleadershipskills, experience leading a cost management team,ensuringtheydeliveron all accountabilities.
• Taking a lead role in interfacing with the client,stakeholdersand otherconsultantsat all project stages.
• Maintain excellent communication with client(s) and other consultants at all projects stages.
• Performing quantity surveying, costcontrolsand change management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Communicate effectively and professionally withnumerousparties including the general contractor,owner’s representatives,and external stakeholders, taking responsibility for Turner & Townsend coordination within the overall construction process.
• Coordinate/assist with the strategic and operational management of Cost Management and Project Controls Services in a variety of sectors.
• Bethe first point of contact for reportingon theoverall commercialstatus of a project.
• Drive Turner &Townsendbest practice at all stages of a project or program.
• Identifyopportunities to improve cost managementprocedures,processes,templatesand products.
• Undertake Staff Performance reviews.
• Set a clear strategy and ambition for the team.
• Identify, coach and mentor talent to realize their potential and celebrate the success of others.
• Grow and develop exceptional people.
• Display excellence in leadership and service deliveryon commissions is in line with the conditions ofappointment
• FinancialManagement -Utilizeinternal software to track ongoing margin levels and monthly fee/resource forecasts for each commission and financial reports.
• Develop priority plans including risk mitigation through internal tools, make performance measurements via Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and appraisal documents, management controls and critical success factors based on companygoals
• Implementandmaintainthe use of internal Business Management Systems and company delivery methodologies and tools in the office to ensure consistent delivery of best practice for Clients and the company.
• Undertake internal BMS audits, and coordinate and represent the office for external audits undertaken by the external certification authority.
• Develop a detailed understanding of the market, acting as a brandambassadorand creating a pipeline of opportunity.
• Advise on contracting and procurement strategy to the benefit of clients over a variety of industries and procurement routes and program level capital planning and reporting.
• Strong relationships are developed with clients and cross-functional team members.
• Participate in meetings with VP of Business Unit, Directors and staff and prepare and deliver presentations.
• Provide weekly updatesregardingthe status of projects, initiatives, and staffing, and propose solutions and obtain approval and agreement from management team.
• Identifyand act upon any cross-selling or business generationopportunities.
• Participate in generating proposals/RFP responses for new clients/projects.
• Knowledge Management – Ensure key information and learning is generated from each commissionand inputted into internal databases.
• Attending relevant networking events.
• Be a role model that drives a one business culture that achieves great outcomes by striking the right balance for our people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Additional program requirements:

• Develop and maintain parametric and hybrid cost models to enable rapid estimating, benchmarking, and scenario analysis.
• Prepare detailed cost estimates and budgets across workplace construction projects, including new builds, remodels, and tenant improvements.
• Lead cost planning efforts, including bid review, procurement strategy, and cost analysis reporting.
• Monitor project costs, manage financial risks, and maintain budget adherence throughout the project lifecycle.
• Leverage historical data, market intelligence, and industry trends to enhance accuracy and scalability of cost outputs.
• Align cost plans with project schedules to manage cash flow, accruals, and forecasting.
• Ensure compliance with client financial policies, contract requirements, and SOX controls where applicable.
• Maintain financial documentation, manage change orders, and provide clear reporting on cost status and risks.
• Support the development of AI-enabled cost modeling tools, including automated estimating and scenario analysis.
• Contribute to scalable cost intelligence platforms integrating design, asset, and market data.
• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, standardization, and data-driven delivery.
• Collaborate with technical teams to translate cost management workflows into digital solutions.
• Partner with clients and project teams to align scope, cost, and delivery strategy.
• Provide value engineering and data-driven recommendations to support decision-making.
• Communicate complex cost and risk insights to senior stakeholders with clarity and influence.
• Contribute to enterprise cost strategies, capital planning, and long-range forecasting.
• Mentor team members and drive continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Bachelor’sdegreein construction management, cost management, quantity surveying,engineeringor field related to construction.
• Graduate degree in quantity surveying, cost management, construction management, or engineeringispreferred.
• Minimum8yearsofrelevant experience working in a cost management rolein the construction industry.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
• SME in Quantity Surveying, andRICScertifiedor equivalent accreditation.
• Demonstrates excellent presentation, verbal, written,organizational,and communication skills.

Additional Information

*On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's needs.

The base salary range for this role is $155,000-$175,000 USD. This range reflects the company's good faith estimate of the base salary for this position at the time of the posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package.

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.

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

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It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time.

Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted through our website or to Turner & Townsend personal e‑mail accounts, are considered property ofTurner & Townsend and arenot subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorised Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Turner & Townsend, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by the Recruitment Team,to submit candidates for review.