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

About the Company

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 to deliver outcomes that improve people’s lives.

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

Associate Director Level Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor – leading commercial strategy and cost governance for a large, multi‑phase data center development program ($4B) located approximately one hour from St. Louis, Missouri.

Candidates may be based remotely with preference for Chicago, IL or Indianapolis, IN. Monthly travel (2–3 days per trip) to the project site near St. Louis, MO is required.

• Provide strategic leadership for cost management across a multi‑phase data center program, ensuring governance, compliance, and alignment with organizational standards.
• Develop and implement cost strategies, frameworks, and reporting structures for multi‑billion‑dollar budgets, including early‑stage budgeting, detailed cost planning, procurement strategy, and risk mitigation.
• Serve as the primary client interface, maintaining strong communication with stakeholders and consultants throughout all project stages.
• Advise senior stakeholders on commercial strategy, procurement models, and contract negotiations for complex construction packages.
• Oversee full‑lifecycle cost management, including quantity surveying, cost controls, change management, and contingency tracking.
• Lead executive‑level reporting, presenting cost performance, forecasts, and risk assessments.
• Drive value engineering and design optimization initiatives to identify cost‑saving opportunities.
• Mentor and develop cost management teams, supporting capability growth and succession planning.
• Contribute to improvements in internal cost management tools, templates, and processes.
• Manage financial performance, including margin tracking, fee/resource forecasting, and compliance with Business Management Systems (BMS).
• Support preconstruction activities, feasibility studies, and early‑stage cost modeling for future phases.
• Build strong relationships with clients, contractors, and vendors, identifying opportunities for business growth and cross‑selling.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

• Ability to travel to the St. Louis, MO area monthly (1–2 trips, 2–3 days each).
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of cost management or project controls experience, including 3–5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience managing large‑scale, mission‑critical, or industrial construction programs.
• Data center construction experience is strongly preferred.
• Expertise in cost planning, budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control systems at a program level.
• Strong knowledge of procurement strategies, commercial management, and construction contracts, including risk and change management.
• RICS accreditation or similar professional certification strongly preferred.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and negotiation skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Advanced analytical skills with strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency in industry‑standard cost management tools and software.
• Ability to manage multiple phases and packages concurrently in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience with value engineering and design optimization methodologies.

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

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…