Associate Director Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor – Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend•Chicago, IL

2h•$185,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Associate Director – Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to provide strategic leadership and deliver expert cost management services on a major, mission‑critical hyperscale data center development. This multi‑hundred‑acre greenfield campus is progressing through early planning and pre‑construction, with multiple phases expected over several years and representing a significant long‑term capital investment in new‑build data center capacity. In this senior, client‑facing leadership role, you will serve as the primary commercial interface, ensuring robust cost governance, commercial rigor, and strategic decision‑making across the project lifecycle. You will lead the development of baseline budgets, direct financial controls, shape procurement and contracting strategies, and drive value, risk, and performance outcomes as the program moves into active development. Success in this role requires exceptional communication skills, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to influence and collaborate with senior stakeholders while providing leadership to internal teams. The project site is located approximately 40 miles southwest of Chicago, in Grundy County. This position follows a hybrid model with on‑site presence 2–3 days per week, depending on project phase and client requirements.

Requirements

Able to work onsite in Grundy County 2–3 times per week, depending on project phase and client requirements (site ~40 miles southwest of Chicago).
Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field; master’s degree preferred.
Data Center construction experience is required.
8–10+ years of experience in cost management or project controls on large‑scale capital projects, ideally within mission‑critical, industrial, or high‑tech sectors.
Proven experience delivering within a construction consultancy environment.
Strong understanding of MEP systems, data center infrastructure, and large‑scale campus‑style developments.
Advanced expertise in estimating, budgeting, financial reporting, cost control systems, and Earned Value Management (EVM).
Deep experience with procurement strategies and the commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.
Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities while working under pressure.
Proficiency with industry‑standard cost management and project controls software.

Nice To Haves

RICS accreditation (or progress toward it) highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary client‑facing cost leader, providing strategic guidance and ensuring delivery excellence.
Build and maintain strong relationships with senior client stakeholders, consultants, and delivery partners.
Prepare and present executive‑level commercial updates, recommendations, and strategic insights.
Lead, mentor, and develop junior and mid‑level team members, fostering a high‑performance, collaborative culture.
Lead the development and maintenance of detailed cost plans, estimates, and forecasts across design and delivery phases.
Produce and present monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and financial updates.
Ensure strong integration of cost, schedule, and scope to support holistic project control and predictability.
Lead the establishment and implementation of cost governance frameworks and assurance processes.
Lead procurement strategy development, advising on contracting approaches and commercial positioning.
Oversee contractor and subcontractor pricing reviews, scope validation, and commercial negotiations.
Manage and reconcile change orders, claims, post‑contract variations, and final accounts.
Provide commercial stewardship throughout the lifecycle, ensuring compliance with internal controls and best practices.
Lead value engineering initiatives and cost optimization strategies across design and delivery.
Drive cost risk analysis, scenario planning, contingency management, and sensitivity testing.
Monitor market trends—including escalation, labor availability, and material pricing—and communicate impacts to stakeholders.
Ensure adherence to Turner & Townsend Business Management Systems and delivery methodologies.
Champion benchmarking, data integrity, and continuous improvement of cost management tools and processes.
Track and manage financial performance across commissions, including margin, forecasting, and resource planning.
Support business development by identifying cross‑selling opportunities, contributing to proposals, and expanding market relationships.
SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role and must be adhered to where applicable.