Associate Director - Cost Manager - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend; Mount Pleasant (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working environment

Healthy work-life balance

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

A global professional services company is seeking an experienced Associate Director - Cost Manager to oversee cost management on major data center projects in Wisconsin. This role demands strong leadership and expertise in cost planning and project controls, requiring 10+ years of experience in managing large-scale construction environments. The successful candidate will lead teams, advise clients, and drive value engineering initiatives, contributing to complex and impactful projects in an inclusive work culture.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in cost management or project controls with significant leadership responsibilities.
• Proven track record managing large-scale construction projects like data centers.
• RICS accreditation or equivalent qualification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead lifecycle of cost management activities on major projects.
• Provide strategic direction for cost planning and management.
• Manage senior cost managers and project teams.

Skills

Cost planning

Leadership

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

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

Tools

Industry-standard cost management software

Job description

Associate Director - Cost Manager - Data Center Construction at Turner & Townsend

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 programs as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success.

Our capabilities include program, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions.

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Associate Director to lead and oversee cost management on a major data center campus project in Wisconsin. This development includes multiple large-scale facilities designed to support advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing, making it one of the most significant construction efforts in the region.

As an Associate Director, you will provide strategic leadership across all cost management activities, ensure delivery excellence, and drive client relationships at the highest level. You will lead teams, influence project outcomes, and contribute to business growth while maintaining compliance and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the full lifecycle of cost management activities on large-scale, mission-critical projects, from early-stage budgeting through final account closeout.
• Provide strategic direction on cost planning, estimating, procurement, and commercial management to align with client objectives.
• Manage and mentor senior cost managers and project teams, fostering professional development and high performance.
• Advise clients at executive level on cost risks, procurement strategies, and commercial negotiations.
• Prepare and present executive-level reports and forecasts to senior stakeholders, ensuring clarity and actionable insights.
• Drive value engineering and design optimization initiatives to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial systems, client-specific requirements, and regulatory controls.
• Maintain and enhance benchmarking data and cost management tools for continuous improvement.
• Lead business development efforts, identify opportunities with existing and new clients, and support proposal development.
• Represent Turner & Townsend in client meetings and industry forums, promoting best practices and thought leadership.
• Monitor market trends and provide insights on material pricing, labor rates, and supply chain risks.
• Implement robust change management processes to control scope and mitigate cost overruns.
• Support contract administration and dispute resolution to safeguard client interests.
• Contribute to internal knowledge sharing and training programs to strengthen organizational capability.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in cost management or project controls, with significant leadership responsibilities.
• Proven track record managing large-scale, mission-critical construction projects (e.g., data centers, high-tech, industrial).
• Familiarity with MEP systems is beneficial.
• Strong consultancy background with experience in client-facing leadership roles.
• Expertise in cost planning, budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control systems.
• Advanced knowledge of procurement strategies and commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.
• RICS accreditation or equivalent professional qualification preferred.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in industry-standard tools and software for cost management.

Additional Information

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

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/

Turner & Townsend does not accept any speculative or unsolicited CV’s that have been sent to our internal recruitment team or hiring managers from agencies outside of our preferred supplier list or that have not followed due process. Any speculative or unsolicited CV’s will be treated as a direct application.

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

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 of Turner & Townsend and are not 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.

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Turner & Townsend by 2x

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Project Management, Consulting, and Engineering

Industries

Construction, Civil Engineering, and Business Consulting and Services