Associate Director - Life Sciences Construction
About The Position
Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Associate Director Cost Manager and/or Quantity Surveyor to lead cost management services for a major bio-pharmaceutical client. The role supports delivery of a significant multi-year campus development and provides strategic commercial leadership, stakeholder relationship management, and cost management services throughout the project lifecycle. The successful candidate will work independently in a client-facing environment while leading a team and promoting Turner & Townsend’s purpose, values, and vision. This is primarily a site-based position at a major construction program in Wilson, North Carolina, approximately 50 miles from Raleigh; regular on-site presence is required, though requirements may change based on client needs. The Associate Director will oversee cost management and project controls delivery, lead client and consultant interfaces, manage commercial reporting, develop team members, support business development, and maintain consistent delivery through company systems, tools, and best practices. The role may include SOX control responsibilities where applicable.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related construction field.
- At least 5–7 years of relevant experience in a construction-industry cost management role.
- Experience leading cost management on medium- to large-scale construction projects of moderate to high complexity.
- Strong understanding of construction technical matters, including procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a client-facing environment while managing multiple priorities and project stakeholders.
- Regular on-site presence at the project site in Wilson, North Carolina.
Nice To Haves
- RICS accreditation or progress toward accreditation.
- Experience supporting large-scale manufacturing, life sciences, technology, industrial, or commercial construction projects.
- Construction consultancy experience.
Responsibilities
- Lead a cost management team and ensure it delivers on its accountabilities.
- Lead interactions with the client, stakeholders, and other consultants throughout all project stages, maintaining excellent communication.
- Perform quantity surveying, cost controls, and change management throughout the project lifecycle.
- Communicate and coordinate professionally with the general contractor, owner’s representatives, and external stakeholders, taking responsibility for Turner & Townsend coordination within the construction process.
- Coordinate and assist with strategic and operational management of Cost Management and Project Controls Services on large-scale construction programs.
- Serve as the first point of contact for reporting the overall commercial status of a project.
- Drive Turner & Townsend best practices throughout projects and programs and identify opportunities to improve cost management procedures, processes, templates, and products.
- Undertake staff performance reviews; set team strategy and ambition; identify, coach, and mentor talent; and develop people.
- Deliver commissions in line with appointment conditions, demonstrating leadership and service excellence.
- Use internal software to track commission margin levels, monthly fee and resource forecasts, and financial reports.
- Develop priority plans, risk mitigation, KPI performance measures, appraisal documents, management controls, and critical success factors aligned with company goals.
- Implement and maintain internal Business Management Systems, delivery methodologies, and tools to support consistent best-practice delivery.
- Undertake 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 clients on contracting and procurement strategy across delivery models and procurement routes, including program-level capital planning and reporting.
- 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 project, initiative, and staffing updates; propose solutions and obtain management approval and agreement.
- Identify and pursue cross-selling and business-generation opportunities.
- Contribute to proposals and RFP responses for prospective clients and projects.
- Capture key information and learning from commissions in internal knowledge databases.
- Attend relevant networking events.
- Model a one-business culture that balances the needs of employees, clients, stakeholders, and society to achieve strong outcomes.
- Adhere to applicable SOX controls.
Benefits
- Employees may be eligible for bonuses.
- Comprehensive benefits package.
- Flexible working environment that supports work-life balance.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
