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

Turner & Townsend; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is looking for an Associate Director – Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor in Reston, VA, to lead cost management services for data center construction projects. This role requires extensive experience in managing cost management teams and interacting with clients throughout all project phases.

Ideal candidates will possess a Bachelor's in a relevant field and have at least 8 years in cost management, particularly in data center construction. Strong leadership, communication, and commercial skills are essential for success.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in cost management within large-scale construction.
• Proven experience leading teams and managing complex, multi-project programs.
• Consultancy experience highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost management services for data center projects.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost control, and change management.
• Coordinate with contractors and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership in cost management

Client communication

Performance review and mentoring

Commercial acumen

Cost control expertise

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or related field

Job description

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

Turner & Townsend is seeking a seasoned Associate Director to lead cost management services for large‑scale data center construction projects across Northern Virginia. The role is client‑facing and based at our Tysons, VA office, supporting projects in Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford and Fairfax counties.

Responsibilities

• Strong leadership experience managing cost management teams and ensuring delivery across all accountabilities.
• Lead interface with clients, stakeholders, and consultants across all project stages.
• Maintain clear and professional communication with clients and project teams.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost control, and change management throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate with contractors, owners, and stakeholders, ensuring alignment within the overall construction process.
• Support strategic and operational delivery of Cost Management and Project Controls services across large‑scale programs.
• Act as the primary contact for reporting overall commercial and cost status of projects.
• Drive consistent application of best practices across all phases of delivery.
• Identify and implement improvements to cost management processes and tools.
• Conduct staff performance reviews and set clear team direction and strategy.
• Mentor and develop team members, fostering growth and high performance.
• Ensure excellence in service delivery aligned with commercial and contractual obligations.
• Track financial performance, including margins, forecasting, and resource planning.
• Develop risk mitigation strategies and monitor performance using KPIs and internal controls.
• Implement and maintain internal business systems and delivery methodologies.
• Lead internal and external audit processes related to quality and compliance.
• Develop market insight and contribute to business development and pipeline growth.
• Advise on procurement strategies, contracting approaches, and capital planning.
• Build strong relationships with clients and cross‑functional teams.
• Provide leadership updates including project status, staffing, and risk mitigation plans.
• Identify and support business generation and cross‑selling opportunities.
• Contribute to proposals and RFP responses for new work.
• Ensure knowledge capture and benchmarking across projects.
• Represent the business at industry and networking events.
• Promote a culture aligned with company values, delivering positive outcomes for clients and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 8+ years of experience in cost management within large‑scale construction.
• Proven experience leading teams and managing complex, multi‑project programs.
• Experience in data center or mission‑critical construction strongly preferred.
• Consultancy experience highly preferred.
• SME in Quantity Surveying with RICS certification or equivalent strongly preferred.
• Strong commercial acumen, contract knowledge, and cost control expertise.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and leadership skills.

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

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer and celebrates diversity. All information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.