Associate Director - Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Construction

Turner-; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend in Seattle is seeking an experienced Associate Director, Cost Management / Quantity Surveyor to lead cost management for a portfolio of clients and capital projects across real estate, infrastructure and mixed-use sectors.

You will provide strategic cost leadership, manage client relationships, guide project teams, and drive best practices while supporting business growth and talent development in a collaborative, client-facing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering or related field.
• Graduate degree in Quantity Surveying, Cost Management, Construction Management or Engineering preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in cost management, quantity surveying, or commercial management within construction.
• Construction consultancy experience strongly preferred.
• Subject matter expertise in Quantity Surveying, with RICS certification or equivalent preferred.
• Experience leading cost management services on complex construction projects and programs.
• Excellent presentation, verbal, written, organizational, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a cost management team and ensure delivery against accountabilities.
• Interface with clients, stakeholders, and consultants at all project stages.
• Maintain excellent communication with clients and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost controls, and change management activities.
• Coordinate with general contractors, owner's representatives, and external stakeholders within the construction process.
• Oversee Cost Management and Project Controls services across various projects and sectors.
• Be the primary reporting contact for overall commercial status of projects and programs.
• Drive best practices in cost management at all stages of delivery.
• Coach and mentor talent and develop high-performing teams.
• Support business growth and cross-selling opportunities.
• Ensure lessons learned are captured and shared within knowledge systems.

Skills

Leadership

Client communication

Presentation skills

Verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Graduate degree in Quantity Surveying

RICS certification or equivalent

Job description

Associate Director - Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor

• Full-time

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.

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Associate Director, Cost Management / Quantity Surveyor to join our Seattle area team and lead the delivery of cost management services across a portfolio of clients and capital projects. This leadership role will oversee complex construction projects and programs across commercial real estate, mixed-use, public sector, infrastructure, and other large-scale developments.

As a key member of the team, you will provide strategic cost and commercial leadership, manage client relationships, lead project teams, and drive successful project outcomes. This role also supports business growth, talent development, and the continued expansion of Turner & Townsend while promoting our purpose, values, and culture.

To be successful in this role, you must have excellent communication skills and be comfortable operating in a client-facing environment. The ideal candidate will be self‑motivated, driven, and capable of working independently while leading and developing high‑performing teams.

Responsibilities:

• Strong leadership skills, with experience leading a cost management team and ensuring delivery against all accountabilities.
• Taking a lead role in interfacing with clients, stakeholders, and consultants at all stages of a project.
• Maintain excellent communication with clients and project stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
• Performing quantity surveying, cost controls, and change management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with numerous parties including general contractors, owner's representatives, and external stakeholders, taking responsibility for Turner & Townsend coordination within the overall construction process.
• Coordinate and assist with the strategic and operational management of Cost Management and Project Controls services across a variety of projects and sectors.
• Be the primary point of contact for reporting on the overall commercial status of projects and programs.
• Drive Turner & Townsend best practices at all stages of project delivery.
• Identify opportunities to improve cost management procedures, processes, templates, and products.
• Undertake staff performance reviews.
• Set a clear strategy and direction 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 delivery in line with the conditions of appointment.
• Financial Management: Utilize internal 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, KPI measurement, management controls, and critical success factors aligned with company goals.
• Implement and maintain internal Business Management Systems and company delivery methodologies to ensure consistent delivery of best practices.
• Undertake internal BMS audits and coordinate external certification audits.
• Develop a detailed understanding of the market, act as a brand ambassador, and create a pipeline of opportunities.
• Advise on contracting and procurement strategies and support capital planning and reporting activities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and cross‑functional team members.
• Participate in meetings with senior leadership and prepare and deliver presentations.
• Provide regular updates regarding project status, initiatives, staffing, and proposed solutions.
• Identify and act upon cross‑selling and business development opportunities.
• Participate in generating proposals and RFP responses for new clients and projects.
• Ensure lessons learned and key project information are captured and shared through internal knowledge management systems.
• Attend relevant networking events.
• Be a role model that drives a one‑business culture that achieves positive outcomes for our people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role and must be adhered to where applicable.

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related construction field.
• Graduate degree in Quantity Surveying, Cost Management, Construction Management, or Engineering is preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in a cost management, quantity surveying, or commercial management role within the construction industry.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
• Subject matter expertise in Quantity Surveying, with RICS certification or equivalent accreditation preferred.
• Experience leading cost management services on complex construction projects and programs.
• Excellent presentation, verbal, written, organizational, and communication skills.

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

The salary range for this role is $160,000-$185,000 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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