Associate Director, Estimating – Data Center Construction
About The Position
Turner & Townsend is seeking an Associate Director, Estimating with deep expertise in data center construction to lead estimating efforts across mega-scale data center campuses. This role provides leadership across electrical and mechanical estimating functions, manages estimating teams, and serves as a senior client-facing leader on multi-billion-dollar programs. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading MEP estimating strategy, partnering closely with client, design, construction, and program leadership, and ensuring accurate, value-driven cost planning aligned with client objectives. The role will oversee a large data center program with direct reports embedded across multiple project teams. This position is preferred to be based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a hybrid work schedule from Turner & Townsend’s San Francisco office. Remote candidates will be considered for the right individual, based on experience and program needs.
Requirements
- Extensive experience in data center construction or comparable large‑scale industrial programs (e.g., semiconductor, battery, advanced manufacturing).
- Experience supporting or leading multi‑billion‑dollar data center campuses with multiple buildings.
- Deep expertise in MEP systems on large, complex construction projects.
- Proven experience leading estimating or cost management teams.
- Minimum 8+ years of relevant cost management or estimating experience.
- Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a related discipline.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including senior client engagement.
Nice To Haves
- Construction consultancy background.
- Experience across pre‑construction and post‑contract MEP cost management.
- Strong understanding of procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.
- RICS accredited or actively working toward accreditation.
- Experience operating in client‑facing leadership roles on complex, fast-paced programs.
Responsibilities
- Act as the day-to-day senior client interface for MEP estimating and cost planning.
- Provide direction, leadership, and oversight of MEP estimating teams across multiple campuses.
- Lead, mentor, and develop estimating and cost management professionals.
- Partner closely with client, design, and program leadership to align estimating, scheduling, and delivery strategy.
- Lead estimate development and cost planning for MEP systems on multi‑billion‑dollar data center programs.
- Produce and present detailed MEP cost plans at all design milestones.
- Review and collaborate with design teams and general contractors in the development of MEP estimates.
- Reconcile design and scope changes and validate contractor MEP pricing for accuracy.
- Coordinate all sources of MEP cost information to support informed and defensible cost decisions.
- Lead change order estimating, negotiation, and valuation for MEP systems.
- Manage MEP cost variance analysis, commitment tracking, and contingency management.
- Ensure robust change control processes are followed throughout the project lifecycle.
- Review contractor and subcontractor pricing and lead commercial negotiations on behalf of the client.
- Ensure final accounts are negotiated and agreed in a timely manner.
- Produce and present monthly MEP cost reports and executive summaries to senior client stakeholders.
- Prepare funding data, benchmarking information, and as-built cost records.
- Ensure effective MEP cost auditing and validation processes are in place.
- Utilize internal systems to track margins, forecasting, resourcing, and financial performance.
- Provide commercial and estimating input into design optioneering and value engineering exercises.
- Drive engineering priorities based on MEP cost and program impact.
- Coordinate and lead value engineering workshops with designers, contractors, and client stakeholders.
- Work proactively with minimal supervision to identify and resolve cost and schedule risks related to MEP systems.
- Promote Turner & Townsend’s values, purpose, and one‑business culture.
- SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role and must be adhered to where applicable.
Benefits
- Bonuses
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
