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

Turner & Townsend • St Louis, MO

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to support a large-scale, multi-phase hyperscale data center program near St. Louis, Missouri. The role serves as a key day-to-day client interface and leads delivery of high-value cost management services across a complex development. It drives cost planning, procurement strategy, change management, and commercial governance, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and rigor across multiple workstreams and packages.

The successful candidate will lead a cost management team and provide client-facing leadership, coordinating with clients, stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and owner representatives. The position also supports strategic and operational management of cost management and project controls services, financial and commercial reporting, business development, team development, and implementation of company delivery systems and best practices. On-site work in the St. Louis area is required three days per week; on-site requirements may change based on client needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a construction-related field.
• At least 8 years of relevant experience in a cost management role in the construction industry.
• SME-level expertise in quantity surveying.
• RICS certification or equivalent accreditation.
• Excellent presentation, verbal, written, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work onsite three days per week in the St. Louis, Missouri area.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate degree in quantity surveying, cost management, construction management, or engineering.
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the cost management team and ensure delivery of its accountabilities.
• Lead interfaces with clients, stakeholders, and other consultants throughout project stages, maintaining excellent communication.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost controls, and change management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate Turner & Townsend’s role in the construction process with general contractors, owner representatives, and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate or assist with strategic and operational management of Cost Management and Project Controls Services across sectors.
• Serve as the first point of contact for reporting a project’s overall commercial status.
• Apply Turner & Townsend best practices and identify improvements to cost management procedures, processes, templates, and products.
• Undertake staff performance reviews; set team strategy and ambition; coach, mentor, and develop team members.
• Manage commission margins, monthly fee and resource forecasts, and financial reports using internal software.
• Develop priority plans, including risk mitigation, and use KPIs, appraisals, management controls, and critical success factors to measure performance against company goals.
• Implement and maintain internal Business Management Systems, delivery methodologies, and tools; undertake internal BMS audits and coordinate and represent the office during external certification audits.
• Develop market knowledge, act as a brand ambassador, and create a pipeline of opportunities.
• Advise clients on contracting and procurement strategy, program-level capital planning, and reporting.
• Build strong relationships with clients and cross-functional team members; participate in leadership and staff meetings and prepare and deliver presentations.
• Provide weekly updates on project, initiative, and staffing status, and propose solutions for management approval and agreement.
• Identify cross-selling and business-generation opportunities; participate in proposals and RFP responses.
• Capture and enter commission knowledge and lessons learned into internal databases; attend relevant networking events.
• Promote a one-business culture that balances the needs of employees, clients, stakeholders, and society.
• Adhere to applicable SOX control responsibilities.

Benefits

• A flexible working environment that supports work-life balance.
• An inclusive workplace that provides employees an opportunity and voice to affect change.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior