Director Cost Management - Data Centres in MILAN, ITALY

About the Role

The Cost Management Director will develop and elevate cost management services for Data Centre projects in Italy, ensuring successful delivery of complex, high‑quality construction projects. The role combines strategic leadership, business development and end‑to‑end cost management, and serves as the primary liaison with clients to drive exceptional outcomes. The position is based in Milan, with relocation support provided when required. • Develop and expand cost management services while identifying new business opportunities and strengthening market presence. • Build capability and ensure appropriate resourcing to meet project and client needs. • Lead, engage, and develop teams, ensuring effective deployment and high‑quality service delivery. • Uphold service excellence standards and ensure full compliance with business management systems across contracts, risk, HSW, delivery, and finance. • Oversee contract execution and compliance, maintaining strong governance and commercial control. • Monitor margins, fees, and resource forecasts, ensuring commissions are delivered efficiently and to a high standard. • Lead all pre‑ and post‑contract QS activities, including feasibility studies, cost estimating, cost planning, procurement, tendering, and contract administration. • Manage variations, cost checks, valuations, change control, and final accounts. • Produce and present cost plans, tender reports, monthly cost reports, and post‑contract financial updates. • Drive value engineering initiatives and negotiate commercial outcomes with clients and contractors. • Act as a key interface with clients, consultants, and contractors throughout all project stages. • Build strong, lasting relationships and ensure effective communication and information flow. • Enhance cost management processes, templates, and tools to improve efficiency and service quality.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸cost estimating
• ▸cost planning
• ▸tender management
• ▸value engineering
• ▸client interface
• ▸margin monitoring

What You Bring

This senior role requires a strong technical background, people‑management experience and the ability to lead multi‑disciplinary teams through all project stages while maintaining governance, commercial control and service excellence. • Degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field. • Minimum 10 years' experience in cost management. • Proven leadership of cost management commissions for large, complex construction projects. • Strong knowledge of procurement routes, value management, value engineering, and life‑cycle costing. • People management experience delivering project teams. • Technical expertise across pre‑contract, post‑contract, and final account cost management. • Understanding of mechanical, process, electrical, plumbing, civil, structural, and architectural systems. • Experience in the Italian construction industry and familiarity with contractual documentation (advantageous). • Excellent presentation, verbal, written, and communication skills. • Strong organisational, multitasking, and teamwork abilities. • Proficiency with MS Office and modern cost management digital tools.

Requirements

• ▸quantity surveying
• ▸10 years
• ▸cost management
• ▸procurement
• ▸people management
• ▸ms office

Benefits

Turner & Townsend promotes a healthy, flexible working environment that respects work‑life balance and celebrates diversity. The company is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace and encourages applications from all sectors of the community.

Work Environment

Onsite