Associate Director Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend, a global professional services firm, seeks an Associate Director of Cost Management / Quantity Surveying to lead cost management on large-scale data center construction programs in San Diego. You will oversee cost control, budgeting, forecasting, and change management while maintaining strong client relationships.

The role requires extensive experience in quantity surveying and commercial management, with leadership to drive teams and projects across the full lifecycle.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in cost management, quantity surveying or commercial management in construction.
• Experience leading cost management teams on large-scale data center or mission-critical projects.
• Strong knowledge of cost planning, estimating, change management, contract administration and procurement.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight of cost management across large data center programs.
• Lead and mentor cost management teams and manage client relationships.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost control, forecasting, change management and reporting throughout the project lifecycle.

Skills

Leadership

Client management

Cost management

Team leadership

Communication

Multiple project management

Education

Bachelor's in Construction Management/Quantity Surveying/Cost Management

Graduate degree preferred

Job description

Associate Director Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

• 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 inpartnershipmakes it possible to deliver the world’s most impactful projects andprogrammesas we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success.

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

We aremajority-ownedby 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 premierprogramme, project and cost management offering in markets around the world.

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Associate Director, Cost Management / Quantity Surveying to support the delivery of large-scale data center construction programs. This individual will lead cost management services, oversee key stakeholder relationships, and provide commercial leadership across multiple projects throughout the full project lifecycle.

The ideal candidate will be a strong client-facing leader with extensive experience in quantity surveying, cost management, and commercial controls on complex construction projects. This role requires exceptional communication skills, the ability to lead high-performing teams, and a proactive approach to delivering successful project outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight of cost management services across large-scale data center construction projects and programs.
• Lead and mentor cost management teams, ensuring successful delivery of project objectives and client expectations.
• Serve as the primary commercial point of contact for clients, project stakeholders, consultants, and contractors throughout all project phases.
• Perform and oversee quantity surveying, cost control, cost planning, forecasting, and change management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Review and approve cost reports, budgets, estimates, cash flow forecasts, change orders, and final accounts.
• Lead commercial discussions with clients, general contractors, and project teams regarding project performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Advise on procurement strategies, contract administration, commercial management, and value engineering initiatives.
• Identify and manage commercial risks while developing mitigation strategies to protect project outcomes.
• Drive consistency and best practices across project delivery teams.
• Support strategic and operational management of Cost Management and Project Controls services.
• Monitor financial performance of commissions, including resource planning, forecasting, and fee management.
• Develop, coach, mentor, and retain high-performing team members.
• Conduct performance reviews and support career development initiatives.
• Promote continuous improvement of cost management procedures, processes, tools, and reporting standards.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships while identifying opportunities for growth and additional services.
• Participate in business development activities, proposal preparation, interviews, and client presentations.
• Support knowledge sharing and lessons learned across projects and teams.
• Represent Turner & Townsend at industry and networking events.
• Provide regular updates on project, staffing, and commercial performance to leadership.
• Be a role model who promotes collaboration, innovation, and excellence in service delivery.
• 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, Cost Management, Engineering, or a related construction discipline.
• Graduate degree in Quantity Surveying, Cost Management, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum 8+ years of experience in cost management, quantity surveying, or commercial management within the construction industry.
• Significant experience supporting large-scale mission-critical, advanced technology, industrial, manufacturing, or data center construction projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading cost management teams and managing client relationships on complex capital projects.
• Strong knowledge of cost planning, estimating, change management, contract administration, procurement, and commercial controls.
• Experience developing and reviewing budgets, forecasts, cost reports, and final accounts.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
• RICS accreditation or equivalent professional certification is preferred.
• Excellent leadership, presentation, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, teams, and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to drive continuous improvement, develop talent, and deliver exceptional client service.

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

The base salary range for this role is $170,000-$185,000. 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 vision. 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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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 ofTurner & Townsend and arenot 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.