Associate Director - Cost Manager - Real Estate Construction

Turnertownsend; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend seeks an experienced Associate Director Cost Manager to lead cost management for major construction programs and capital projects. You will manage internal and external stakeholders, deliver cost services through all project phases, and provide strategic direction while promoting the firm’s values in client engagements.

The role requires robust leadership, client-facing confidence, and the ability to drive best practices and KPI-driven performance across multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction-related field is required.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant cost management experience in construction.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
• SME in Quantity Surveying with professional accreditation (RICS) is desirable.
• Excellent presentation, verbal, written, organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a cost management team and ensure delivery across all project lifecycle stages.
• Interface with client, stakeholders and consultants at all project stages.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost controls, and change management activities.
• Maintain clear communication with clients and external stakeholders throughout projects.
• Drive best practices, develop KPIs, and support business development opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Presentation

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in construction management / cost management / quantity surveying / engineering

Graduate degree in quantity surveying / cost management / construction management / engineering (preferred)

RICS certification or equivalent

Job description

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Associate Director Cost Manager to lead cost management services for key construction programs and capital projects. This individual will be responsible for managing internal and external stakeholder relationships while ensuring the successful delivery of cost management services across all phases of the project lifecycle. To be successful in this role, you must possess excellent communication and leadership skills and be comfortable operating in a client-facing environment. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, results-driven, and capable of working independently while effectively leading and collaborating with project teams. In this key leadership position, you will provide strategic direction, foster high-performing teams, and promote Turner & Townsend's purpose, values, and vision across project delivery and client engagements.

Responsibilities:

• Strong leadership skills, experience leading a cost management team, ensuring they deliver on all accountabilities.
• Taking a lead role in interfacing with the client, stakeholders and other consultants at all project stages.
• Maintain excellent communication with client(s) and other consultants at all projects stages.
• Performing quantity surveying, cost controls and change management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with numerous parties including the general contractor, owner's representatives, and external stakeholders, taking responsibility for Turner & Townsend coordination within the overall construction process.
• Coordinate/assist with the strategic and operational management of Cost Management and Project Controls Services in a variety of sectors.
• Be the first point of contact for reporting on the overall commercial status of a project.
• Drive Turner & Townsend best practice at all stages of a project or program.
• Identify opportunities to improve cost management procedures, processes, templates and products.
• Undertake Staff Performance reviews.
• Set a clear strategy and ambition 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 on commissions is 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, make performance measurements via Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and appraisal documents, management controls and critical success factors based on company goals
• Implement and maintain the use of internal Business Management Systems and company delivery methodologies and tools in the office to ensure consistent delivery of best practice for Clients and the company.
• Undertake internal BMS audits, and coordinate and represent the office for external audits undertaken by the external certification authority.
• Develop a detailed understanding of the market, acting as a brand ambassador and creating a pipeline of opportunity.
• Advise on contracting and procurement strategy to the benefit of clients over a variety of industries and procurement routes and program level capital planning and reporting.
• Strong relationships are developed with clients and cross-functional team members.
• Participate in meetings with VP of Business Unit, Directors and staff and prepare and deliver presentations.
• Provide weekly updates regarding the status of projects, initiatives, and staffing, and propose solutions and obtain approval and agreement from management team.
• Identify and act upon any cross-selling or business generation opportunities.
• Participate in generating proposals/RFP responses for new clients/projects.
• Knowledge Management - Ensure key information and learning is generated from each commission and inputted into internal databases.
• Attending relevant networking events.
• Be a role model that drives a one business culture that achieves great outcomes by striking the right balance for our people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering or field related to construction.
• Graduate degree in quantity surveying, cost management, construction management, or engineering is preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience working in a cost management role in the construction industry.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
• SME in Quantity Surveying, and RICS certified or equivalent accreditation.
• Demonstrates excellent presentation, verbal, written, organizational, and communication skills.

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

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