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

Turner & Townsend•Pittsburgh, PA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Associate Director – Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to join our team and provide expert cost management services on a large-scale, mission-critical data center program in Beaver County, PA. This role will be key in ensuring the project is delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards. As Associate Director, you will lead cost planning and budgeting, manage procurement and commercial negotiations, and oversee change control throughout the project lifecycle. You will drive value engineering initiatives, perform risk analysis, and prepare executive-level cost reports and forecasts. Working closely with design teams, contractors, and vendors, you will integrate cost with schedule and scope while ensuring compliance with financial systems and governance requirements. This is a client-facing leadership role requiring exceptional communication skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
8–10+ years of experience in cost management or project controls, ideally within large-scale, mission-critical environments (e.g., data centers, high-tech, industrial).
Proven experience in construction consultancy and client-facing delivery.
Solid understanding of MEP systems, resilience requirements, and campus-scale infrastructure.
Strong background in budgeting, financial reporting, cost control systems, and Earned Value Management (EVM).
Expertise in procurement strategies and commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
Proficiency in industry-standard cost management tools and software (e.g., CostX, Oracle, Excel, Primavera).

Nice To Haves

RICS accreditation or progress toward certification is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead cost management across all project phases, ensuring alignment with scope, budget, and schedule for hyperscale data center programs.
Develop and maintain detailed cost plans and estimates, leveraging industry benchmarks and technical documentation.
Produce and present monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and financial updates to stakeholders.
Manage change control processes, including review and negotiation of change orders and post-contract cost variances.
Oversee contractor and subcontractor pricing reviews, scope validation, and procurement strategy development.
Collaborate with design teams, general contractors, and vendors to validate cost estimates and perform quantity surveying.
Drive cost risk analysis and scenario planning for multi-phase programs.
Monitor market trends and provide insights on escalation, labor availability, and material pricing.
Develop strategies for cost optimization and value engineering initiatives.
Coordinate with scheduling teams to align cost forecasts with project timelines.
Ensure compliance with internal financial systems, regulatory requirements, and SOX controls where applicable.
Mentor and lead junior cost managers and QS staff; foster a high-performance, collaborative team culture.
Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, vendors, and project teams to support successful project delivery.