📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Associate Director - Cost Manager - Data Center Construction
Company: Turner & Townsend
Location: Mt Pleasant, Wisconsin, United States
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Project Management & Consulting
Date Posted: 2025-08-01
Experience Level: 10+ years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Lead a Cost Management team and drive large Data Center projects to successful outcomes
Act as the primary interface with clients, stakeholders, and consultants across all project stages
Implement and maintain cost control systems, manage financial closeout, and identify cost-saving opportunities
Collaborate with design and construction teams to optimize resource allocation and ensure adherence to client policies and quality standards

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a seasoned cost professional with proven expertise in cost planning, cost control, estimating, procurement, and financial management. Familiarity with MEP systems and the ability to lead commercial negotiations and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams are highly beneficial.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Team Leadership: Lead a Cost Management team, ensuring delivery on all accountabilities
Client Relationship Management: Develop strong client relationships, including potential on-site presence to facilitate delivery
Cost Control: Implement and maintain cost control systems to manage project financials, create and manage change order logs, and ensure approval protocols and audits
Financial Management: Manage financial closeout, prepare final cost reconciliations and reports, and ensure all financial obligations are resolved before handover
Value Engineering: Identify cost-saving opportunities and lead value engineering initiatives
Commercial Negotiations: Lead proposals for new work or variations and identify cross-selling opportunities
Project Management: Utilize project management tools to track margin levels and monthly forecasts, and input key learnings into internal databases
Staff Management: Participate in staff recruitment, performance reviews, and formal management processes
Quality Assurance: Ensure adherence to client policies, financial standards, and regulatory requirements, and ensure compliance with quality standards and participate in ISO audits
Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve cost management procedures, templates, and products

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related technical field

Experience: Minimum 8 years in cost management for large, mission-critical construction projects (e.g., Data Centers, High Tech, Industrial)

Required Skills:

Proven expertise in cost planning, cost control, estimating, procurement, and financial management
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
Proficiency in project management and cost estimating tools (e.g., CostX, Microsoft/G-Suite)
Experience with value management, life cycle costing, and financial reporting
Ability to estimate at conceptual, programming, and detailed levels
Familiarity with commit profiles, cash flow, and overall project cost structures

Preferred Skills:

MEP estimating experience
RICS or equivalent accreditation

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials: Not applicable for this role
Technical Documentation: Not applicable for this role

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,000 - $200,000 per year (based on industry standards for a senior cost management role in the United States)

Benefits:

Competitive benefits package
Flexible working environment
Opportunities for professional development and career growth
Inclusive company culture that values diversity and work-life balance

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with potential on-site presence required depending on client needs

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a senior cost management role in the United States. Actual salary may vary depending on factors such as experience, qualifications, and market conditions.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Global professional services firm specializing in project management, cost management, and consulting services for the construction and engineering industries

Company Size: Medium to large-sized company with over 22,000 specialists in more than 60 countries

Founded: 1946

Team Structure:

Global organization with regional and local teams
Collaborative and inclusive company culture that values diversity and work-life balance
Strong focus on client relationships and delivering high-quality services

Development Methodology:

Project-based work with a focus on delivering client outcomes
Collaborative and inclusive approach to project delivery, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and communication
Use of industry-standard tools and technologies to support project delivery and cost management

Company Website: Turner & Townsend

📝 Enhancement Note: Turner & Townsend is a global professional services firm with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality project management, cost management, and consulting services. The company's collaborative and inclusive culture, along with its focus on delivering client outcomes, makes it an attractive employer for cost management professionals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Cost Management Career Level: Senior Cost Manager / Associate Director

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the regional or local Cost Management lead, with matrix reporting to project delivery teams

Technical Impact: Responsible for driving cost management activities and ensuring project financials are managed effectively. Provides strategic input into project delivery and ensures adherence to client policies and quality standards.

Growth Opportunities:

Opportunities for career progression into more senior roles, such as Regional Director or Global Practice Lead
Opportunities for professional development and training, including leadership and technical skills development
Opportunities to work on complex and high-profile projects, both domestically and internationally

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity for a senior cost management professional to drive large Data Center projects to successful outcomes. With a strong focus on client relationships and delivering high-quality services, this role provides an excellent platform for career growth and development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office environment with a focus on teamwork and communication

Office Location(s): Mt Pleasant, Wisconsin, United States (with potential on-site presence required depending on client needs)

Workspace Context:

Collaborative workspace with open-plan offices and dedicated meeting rooms
Access to industry-standard tools and technologies to support project delivery and cost management
Opportunities for flexible working arrangements, including remote work and part-time work

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with potential on-site presence required depending on client needs

📝 Enhancement Note: Turner & Townsend offers a modern, collaborative work environment with a strong focus on teamwork and communication. With opportunities for flexible working arrangements and a focus on work-life balance, the company provides an attractive workplace for cost management professionals.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Phone/Video Screen: Initial phone or video call to discuss the role and assess cultural fit
On-site Interview: In-person interview with the regional or local Cost Management lead and other key stakeholders
Technical Assessment: Presentation or case study-based assessment to evaluate cost management skills and technical expertise
Final Interview: Final interview with the regional or local leadership team to discuss the role and make a hiring decision

Portfolio Review Tips: Not applicable for this role

Technical Challenge Preparation: Not applicable for this role

ATS Keywords: Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Project Management, Construction, Data Center, High Tech, Industrial, MEP Systems, Commercial Negotiations, Analytical Skills, Problem-Solving, Communication Skills, Project Management Tools, Value Management, Life Cycle Costing, Financial Reporting

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to assess the candidate's technical expertise, cultural fit, and alignment with the company's values and goals. With a focus on project delivery and client outcomes, the interview process is structured to evaluate the candidate's ability to drive cost management activities and ensure project financials are managed effectively.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Project Management Tools:

CostX
Microsoft/G-Suite

Industry-Specific Tools:

MEP systems (e.g., Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks)
Cost management software (e.g., CostX, Cubit, ConQuest)

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role does not require a specific technology stack, familiarity with industry-standard tools and technologies, such as CostX, Microsoft/G-Suite, and MEP systems, is highly beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Cost Management Values:

Client-focused approach to project delivery
Collaborative and inclusive team culture
Strong emphasis on technical excellence and quality
Focus on delivering project outcomes and driving cost management activities

Collaboration Style:

Collaborative and inclusive approach to project delivery, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and communication
Regular team meetings and progress updates to ensure alignment and coordination
Open and transparent communication channels to facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing

📝 Enhancement Note: Turner & Townsend's cost management teams are known for their collaborative and inclusive approach to project delivery. With a strong emphasis on technical excellence and quality, the company's cost management professionals work together to deliver high-quality services and drive project outcomes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Managing large-scale budgets and complex project financials
Identifying cost-saving opportunities and driving value engineering initiatives
Ensuring adherence to client policies, financial standards, and regulatory requirements
Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to optimize resource allocation and ensure project delivery

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Opportunities for professional development and training, including leadership and technical skills development
Opportunities to work on complex and high-profile projects, both domestically and internationally
Opportunities to network with industry peers and learn from experienced cost management professionals

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity for a senior cost management professional to drive large Data Center projects to successful outcomes. With a strong focus on client relationships and delivering high-quality services, this role provides an excellent platform for career growth and development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

How do you approach cost planning and estimating for large, mission-critical construction projects?
Can you describe your experience with cost control systems and managing project financials?
How do you identify cost-saving opportunities and drive value engineering initiatives?
How do you ensure adherence to client policies, financial standards, and regulatory requirements?
Can you describe your experience with commercial negotiations and leading proposals for new work or variations?
How do you utilize project management tools to track margin levels and monthly forecasts?

Company & Culture Questions:

How do you approach building strong client relationships and facilitating project delivery?
Can you describe your experience working with multidisciplinary teams and optimizing resource allocation?
How do you ensure compliance with quality standards and participate in ISO audits?
How do you identify opportunities to improve cost management procedures, templates, and products?
How do you approach staff recruitment, performance reviews, and formal management processes?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy: Not applicable for this role

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to assess the candidate's technical expertise, cultural fit, and alignment with the company's values and goals. With a focus on project delivery and client outcomes, the interview process is structured to evaluate the candidate's ability to drive cost management activities and ensure project financials are managed effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Cost Manager role at Turner & Townsend:

Submit Your Application: Click the 'Apply' button on the job listing and follow the prompts to submit your resume and cover letter
Prepare for Phone/Video Screen: Review the job description and be prepared to discuss your relevant experience and skills
Research the Company: Familiarize yourself with Turner & Townsend's mission, values, and project portfolio to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the role
Prepare for On-site Interview: Practice your presentation or case study-based assessment and be prepared to discuss your technical expertise and cultural fit
Finalize Your Application: Ensure your resume and cover letter are tailored to the role and highlight your relevant experience and skills

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Associate Director - Cost Manager - Data Center Construction