Associate Director Cost Manager – Industrial and Maritime Construction

Turner & Townsend•Baltimore, MD

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Associate Director – Cost Management to lead cost management services across major industrial and maritime construction programs. The role provides strategic leadership and oversight of cost management delivery, manages internal and external stakeholders, and drives commercial excellence throughout the project lifecycle. Relevant project settings include industrial, maritime, shipyard, port, manufacturing, heavy industrial, and logistics projects, as well as related complex capital projects. The position leads onsite cost management teams and supports high-quality delivery across all project phases, drawing on expertise in estimating, cost planning, procurement, contract administration, change management, forecasting, cost controls, and project closeout. It combines client-facing project leadership with team development, financial and operational management, business development, and company-wide quality and knowledge practices. The role may also include applicable SOX control responsibilities. On-site presence and requirements may change depending on client needs. The base salary range is $160,000–$180,000 USD; employees may also be eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package. The company describes its working environment as flexible and supportive of work-life balance.

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.
Subject-matter expertise in quantity surveying.
RICS certification or equivalent accreditation.
Excellent presentation, verbal, written, organizational, and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree in quantity surveying, cost management, construction management, or engineering.
Construction consultancy experience.
Experience with industrial, maritime, shipyard, port, manufacturing, heavy industrial, logistics, or other complex capital projects.

Responsibilities

Lead cost management teams and ensure they deliver on their accountabilities.
Take a lead role in interfacing with clients, stakeholders, and other consultants throughout project stages, maintaining excellent communication.
Perform quantity surveying, cost controls, and change management across the project lifecycle.
Communicate and coordinate professionally with general contractors, owners’ representatives, external stakeholders, and project participants.
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.
Drive Turner & Townsend best practice throughout projects and programs, and identify improvements to cost management procedures, processes, templates, and products.
Undertake staff performance reviews; set a clear strategy and ambition for the team; coach and mentor talent; and support people’s development and success.
Demonstrate leadership and service delivery in accordance with commission appointment conditions.
Use internal software to track commission margins, monthly fee and resource forecasts, and financial reports.
Develop priority plans, including risk mitigation, and use KPIs, appraisal documents, management controls, and critical success factors aligned with company goals.
Implement and maintain internal Business Management Systems, delivery methodologies, and tools; undertake internal BMS audits and coordinate or represent the office during external certification audits.
Develop market understanding, act as a brand ambassador, and build a pipeline of opportunities.
Advise clients on contracting and procurement strategies, program-level capital planning, and reporting across industries and procurement routes.
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, and propose solutions for management approval and agreement.
Identify and pursue cross-selling and business-generation opportunities; contribute to proposals and RFP responses.
Ensure key information and lessons from commissions are captured 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.