Associate Director – Cost Management – Data Center Construction

About the Role

The Associate Director of Cost Management will lead commercial strategy and cost governance for a large‑scale, multi‑phase data centre development program located near Conesville, Ohio. The role requires onsite presence at least three days per week, with per‑diem and mileage reimbursement for candidates commuting from the Columbus area. • Lead cost management strategy, governance and compliance across multi‑phase data centre programs. • Develop and implement cost frameworks, budgeting, procurement and risk mitigation for multi‑billion‑dollar budgets. • Serve as primary client interface, maintaining communication with stakeholders and consultants throughout project stages. • Advise senior leadership on commercial strategy, procurement models and contract negotiations for complex energy and sustainability packages. • Oversee full lifecycle cost activities including quantity surveying, cost controls, change management and contingency tracking. • Provide executive‑level reporting on cost performance, forecasts and risk assessments to leadership teams. • Drive value engineering and design optimisation to identify cost‑saving opportunities without compromising performance. • Mentor and develop cost management teams, ensuring capability growth and succession planning. • Enhance internal cost management tools, templates and processes for continuous improvement. • Manage financial performance, including margin tracking, fee/resource forecasts and compliance with Business Management Systems.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸cost management
• ▸budgeting
• ▸procurement
• ▸client interface
• ▸value engineering
• ▸tool enhancement

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering or related field; advanced degree preferred. • Minimum 10 years of cost management or project controls experience, with 3–5 years in a leadership role. • Proven track record managing large‑scale, mission‑critical construction programs such as hyperscale data centres. • Expertise in program‑level cost planning, budgeting, financial reporting and cost control systems. • Strong knowledge of procurement strategies, commercial management and construction contracts. • RICS accreditation or equivalent professional certification strongly preferred. • Excellent leadership, communication and negotiation skills with ability to influence senior stakeholders. • Proficiency with industry‑standard cost management tools and software; familiarity with MEP systems beneficial.

Requirements

• ▸construction degree
• ▸10+ years
• ▸data centres
• ▸cost management
• ▸rics
• ▸cost software

Benefits

Turner & Townsend promotes a flexible, healthy work environment, values diversity and inclusion, and is an equal‑opportunity employer. The firm encourages work‑life balance and offers a supportive culture where employees can influence change and grow professionally. • On‑site presence required with flexibility; per‑diem and mileage reimbursement provided for Columbus‑area commuters. • Inclusive, diverse workplace culture supporting work‑life balance and professional growth.

Work Environment

Onsite