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

Turner & Townsend • New Albany, OH

11d

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 serves 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 construction program involving technical manufacturing, process, utility, infrastructure, and supporting facility scopes.

The Associate Director will lead complex projects and programs through multiple development phases, manage client and stakeholder relationships, oversee project delivery and commercial performance, and support business growth. The role provides strategic leadership and direction while promoting Turner & Townsend’s purpose, values, and vision. On-site presence and requirements may change based on client needs. The company promotes a healthy, productive, flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.

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 construction projects in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, industrial, semiconductor, mission-critical, or other complex building 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.
• Subject-matter expertise in Quantity Surveying, with RICS certification or equivalent accreditation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the cost management team, ensuring it delivers on its accountabilities.
• Lead client, stakeholder, design team, contractor, and consultant interfaces throughout all project stages.
• Maintain effective communication with clients and other consultants throughout project stages.
• Perform quantity surveying, cost planning, estimating, cost controls, and change management across the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate Turner & Townsend’s work within the overall construction process, communicating with general contractors, owner representatives, design consultants, equipment vendors, and external stakeholders.
• Act as the primary commercial lead for large-scale life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and capital expansion projects.
• Coordinate or assist with strategic and operational management of Cost Management and Project Controls Services.
• Serve as the first point of contact for reporting overall project commercial status, including budget, forecast, contingency, change management, and commercial risk.
• Apply Turner & Townsend best practices throughout projects and programs and identify opportunities to improve cost-management procedures, processes, templates, and products.
• Conduct staff performance reviews, set team strategy and ambition, and coach and mentor staff.
• Provide leadership and service delivery on commissions in line with the conditions of appointment.
• Track commission margins and monthly fee and resource forecasts using internal software, and prepare financial reports.
• Develop priority plans and risk mitigation using 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.
• 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 business-unit leadership, directors, and staff, and prepare and deliver presentations.
• Provide weekly updates on projects, initiatives, and staffing, propose solutions, and obtain management approval and agreement.
• Identify cross-selling and business-generation opportunities and contribute to proposals and RFP responses.
• Capture commission information and lessons learned in internal databases.
• Attend relevant networking events and promote a one-business culture that balances the needs of people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
• Adhere to applicable SOX control responsibilities.

Benefits

• Flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.
• Opportunity to work in an environment where employees have a voice and an opportunity to affect change.

What This Job Offers

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