Associate Director - Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Life Sciences Construction

Turner & Townsend • New Albany, OH

13h

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Associate Director Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to lead cost management services for a major life sciences capital expansion program. The role acts as a trusted advisor and senior client interface, ensuring client objectives are achieved through high-quality, value-driven cost consultancy across complex manufacturing and advanced technology environments.

The position supports a multi-phase life sciences construction program covering technical manufacturing, process, utility, infrastructure, and supporting facility scopes. It leads complex projects and programs across development phases, manages relationships with clients, stakeholders, contractors, and project teams, drives commercial performance, oversees project delivery, and supports business growth. The role provides strategic leadership and direction while promoting Turner & Townsend’s purpose, values, and vision.

The successful candidate will be an effective, proactive leader with strong communication and stakeholder-management skills, able to manage multiple priorities and foster collaboration in a senior client-facing capacity. On-site presence and requirements may change depending on client needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related construction field.
• At least 8 years of relevant experience in a cost management role within the construction industry.
• Experience supporting large-scale complex building construction projects in life sciences, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, industrial, semiconductor, mission-critical, or related sectors.
• Experience managing cost planning, estimating, procurement, commercial management, change management, and cost reporting on major capital construction projects.
• Excellent presentation, verbal, written, organizational, and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate degree in Quantity Surveying, Cost Management, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Construction consultancy experience.
• Quantity Surveying subject-matter expertise.
• RICS certification or equivalent accreditation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the cost management team and ensure it delivers on all accountabilities.
• Lead interactions with clients, stakeholders, design teams, contractors, and other consultants throughout all project stages.
• Maintain excellent communication with clients and other consultants at every project stage.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost planning, estimating, cost controls, and change management throughout the project lifecycle.
• Communicate professionally with general contractors, owner representatives, design consultants, equipment vendors, and external stakeholders, and coordinate Turner & Townsend’s role in the overall construction process.
• Act as the primary commercial lead for large-scale life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and capital expansion projects.
• Coordinate or assist with the strategic and operational management of Cost Management and Project Controls Services.
• Serve as the first point of contact for reporting a project’s overall commercial status, including budget, forecast, contingency, change management, and commercial risk.
• Drive Turner & Townsend best practice throughout projects and programs.
• Identify opportunities to improve cost management procedures, processes, templates, and products.
• Conduct staff performance reviews and set a clear strategy and ambition for the team.
• Identify, coach, and mentor talent, support people’s development, and celebrate their success.
• Demonstrate leadership and service delivery excellence on commissions in line with appointment conditions.
• Manage commission financials using internal software to track margin levels, monthly fee and resource forecasts, and financial reports.
• Develop priority plans, including risk mitigation, and use internal tools, KPIs, appraisal documents, management controls, and critical success factors aligned with company goals.
• Implement and maintain internal Business Management Systems, delivery methodologies, and tools to support consistent best-practice delivery.
• Conduct internal BMS audits and coordinate and represent the office during external certification audits.
• Develop market knowledge, act as a brand ambassador, and build a pipeline of opportunities.
• Advise on contracting and procurement strategies for design, construction, equipment, utility, infrastructure, and specialty vendor packages.
• Build strong relationships with clients and cross-functional team members.
• Participate in meetings with the VP of Business Unit, Directors, and staff, and prepare and deliver presentations.
• Provide weekly updates on project, initiative, and staffing status; propose solutions and obtain management-team approval and agreement.
• Identify and pursue cross-selling and business-generation opportunities.
• Contribute to proposals and RFP responses for new clients and projects.
• Capture commission information and lessons learned and enter them into internal databases.
• Attend relevant networking events.
• Model a one-business culture that balances outcomes for people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
• Adhere to applicable SOX control responsibilities.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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