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

Turner & Townsend; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A global professional services firm is seeking an experienced Associate Director – Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to lead cost management services on a large-scale, mission-critical data center program. This client-facing role requires exceptional communication and leadership skills to manage stakeholders and guide project delivery. The position is hybrid, requiring regular onsite visits near Milwaukee. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in construction consultancy and proficiency with cost management tools.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years of experience in cost management or project controls within construction.
• Proven experience in construction consultancy and client-facing delivery.
• RICS accreditation or equivalent certification highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of MEP systems, resilience requirements, and campus-scale infrastructure.
• Expertise in budgeting, financial reporting, cost control systems, EVM, and procurement strategies.
• Proficiency with cost management tools such as CostX, Oracle, Excel, Primavera.
• RICS accreditation or progress toward certification highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end cost management for data center programs.
• Develop and maintain detailed cost plans and forecasts.
• Manage change control and contractor pricing reviews.
• Coordinate with scheduling teams for cost integration.
• Drive cost risk analysis and market trend monitoring.
• Provide strong leadership and mentor junior staff.
• Interface with clients, stakeholders and consultants; maintain relationships with vendors and project teams.
• Drive cost risk analysis, scenario planning and sensitivity testing; monitor market trends.
• Develop cost optimization and value engineering strategies to reduce lifecycle costs.
• Set KPIs, deliver presentations to senior leadership and maintain BMS and delivery methodologies.
• Mentor junior staff and foster a high-performance, collaborative culture.

Skills

Cost management

Communication

Leadership

Analytical abilities

Negotiation

Education

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

Graduate degree preferred

Tools

CostX

Oracle

Excel

Primavera

RICS accreditation or progress toward

Job description

Overview

Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries. Working with clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, we transform together delivering outcomes that improve people’s lives. 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.

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. 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 (summary)

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Associate Director – Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to join our team and provide expert cost management services on a large-scale, mission-critical data center program. This is a client-facing leadership role requiring exceptional communication skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. You will provide strategic leadership and direction, managing internal and external stakeholders and embedding Turner & Townsend’s purpose, values, and vision throughout the project lifecycle. This is a hybrid role with regular on-site visits required approximately 25 miles east of Milwaukee.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end cost management across all project phases, ensuring alignment with scope, budget, and schedule for hyperscale data center programs and other sectors.
• Develop and maintain detailed cost plans, estimates, and forecasts using industry benchmarks and technical documentation.
• Manage change control: review and negotiate change orders, track post-contract variances, and ensure robust commercial governance.
• Oversee contractor and subcontractor pricing reviews, scope validation, and procurement strategy development; advise on contracting and procurement approaches and support program-level capital planning.
• Coordinate with scheduling teams to integrate cost forecasts with project timelines and milestones.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for commercial status reporting; produce and present monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and financial updates to stakeholders.
• Interface with clients, stakeholders, and consultants at all project stages; maintain strong relationships with clients, vendors, and project teams.
• Drive cost risk analysis, scenario planning, and sensitivity testing; monitor market trends and provide insights on escalation, labor availability, and material pricing.
• Develop strategies for cost optimization and value engineering to enhance outcomes and reduce lifecycle costs.
• Set and track performance via KPIs and critical success factors; prepare and deliver presentations to senior leadership.
• Manage financial performance using internal systems to track margins, forecasts, and reporting; implement and maintain Business Management Systems (BMS) and company delivery methodologies to ensure best practice.
• Identify opportunities to improve cost management processes, templates, and tools; champion knowledge management by capturing lessons learned and key data.
• Provide strong leadership with a clear strategy and ambition for the team; mentor and develop junior staff, conduct performance reviews, and foster a high-performance, collaborative culture.
• Act as a brand ambassador; develop market understanding, build a pipeline of opportunities, and identify cross-selling and business generation opportunities.
• Participate in proposals/RFP responses and attend networking events to expand market presence and relationships.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field; graduate degree preferred.
• 8–10+ years of experience in cost management or project controls within the construction industry, ideally on large-scale, mission-critical projects (e.g., data centers, high-tech, industrial).
• Proven experience in construction consultancy and client-facing delivery.
• Strong understanding of MEP systems, resilience requirements, and campus-scale infrastructure.
• Expertise in budgeting, financial reporting, cost control systems, Earned Value Management (EVM), and procurement strategies.
• Proficiency with industry-standard cost management tools and software (e.g., CostX, Oracle, Excel, Primavera).
• RICS accreditation or equivalent certification (or progress toward certification) highly desirable.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, highly organized, and able to manage multiple priorities under pressure.

Additional information

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

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.