Associate Director - Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend, a global professional services firm, seeks an Associate Director Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to lead commercial delivery on large-scale projects in Houston.

The role focuses on cost strategy, procurement, change management, and stakeholder engagement across the full lifecycle, requiring senior leadership and team development capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, quantity surveying, engineering, or related field.
• Graduate degree in quantity surveying, construction management, engineering, or similar field is preferred.
• Minimum 8+ years of progressive experience in cost management, quantity surveying, or commercial management within the construction industry.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost strategy, reporting, procurement, and change management across the full project lifecycle.
• Oversee cost management across large, fast-paced construction programs.
• Act as trusted advisor to clients and stakeholders across project stages.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting for programs.
• Lead procurement strategy, pricing reviews, and change order negotiations.
• Coach and mentor team members and drive high performance.

Skills

Leadership

Cost management

Quantity surveying

Client-facing

Stakeholder management

Contract administration

Budgeting & forecasting

Change management

Team mentorship

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in construction management

Graduate degree in quantity surveying/construction management

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 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.

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 program, project and cost management offering in markets around the world.

Job Description

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Associate Director Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to lead commercial and financial delivery on a large-scale, complex construction program, with a focus on mission-critical and high-value capital projects. This senior leadership role oversees end-to-end cost management across fast-paced, multi-phase developments and serves as a trusted advisor to key stakeholders.

You will lead cost strategy, reporting, procurement, and change management across the full project lifecycle, supporting technically complex construction environments that require precision, speed to market, and strict cost control.

Responsibilities

• Strong leadership skills, experience leading a cost management team, ensuring delivery across all accountabilities.
• Lead interfacing with client, stakeholders and consultants at all project stages.
• Maintain clear communication with client(s) and project teams throughout delivery.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost controls and change management activities across the project lifecycle.
• Lead commercial and financial management including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting across large, fast-track construction programs.
• Communicate effectively with contractors, owner’s representatives, and stakeholders, ensuring coordination within the construction process.
• Coordinate and support the delivery of Cost Management and Project Controls Services.
• Act as the primary point of contact for commercial status and reporting.
• Drive best practice and continuous improvement in cost management processes and tools.
• Lead procurement strategy, contractor pricing reviews, and change order negotiations.
• Undertake staff performance reviews and support team development.
• Set strategy, coach and mentor team members, and build high-performing teams.
• Ensure excellence in service delivery aligned with company standards.
• Manage financial performance including margin tracking, forecasting, and reporting.
• Provide cost risk analysis, contingency planning, and mitigation strategies.
• Support KPI tracking, planning, and performance management.
• Implement and maintain business systems, methodologies, and audit processes.
• Advise on contracting and procurement strategies across large-scale programs.
• Build strong client and internal relationships.
• Support leadership reporting, presentations, and project updates.
• Contribute to business development, proposals, and pipeline growth.
• Capture and share lessons learned and knowledge across projects.
• Promote a collaborative, high-performance culture aligned with company values.
• 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 a related construction-focused discipline.
• Graduate degree in quantity surveying, construction management, engineering, or similar field is preferred.
• Minimum 8+ years of progressive experience in cost management, quantity surveying, or commercial management within the construction industry.
• Proven experience delivering services on large-scale, complex, multi-phase construction programs.
• Strong consultancy background with demonstrated client-facing and advisory experience.
• Experience working in fast-paced, high-value capital project environments with multiple concurrent workstreams is highly desirable.
• Expertise in quantity surveying, cost planning, procurement, and commercial management principles.
• Strong understanding of contract administration, change management, and cost control methodologies.
• Experience leading teams, managing performance, and mentoring junior professionals.
• Professional accreditation (e.g., RICS or equivalent) is preferred or in progress.
• Demonstrated ability to manage stakeholder relationships at all levels, including senior leadership.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with strong commercial acumen.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and capable of working independently and within a team environment.

Additional Information

On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client’s 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.

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

Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com/ and https://www.heery.com/

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