Associate Director Estimator - Data Center Construction

Company Description

Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries.

Working with our clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, we transform together delivering outcomes that improve people’s lives. Working in partnership makes it possible to deliver the world’s most impactful projects and programs as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success.

Our capabilities include program, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions.

We are majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with our partners holding a significant minority interest. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide clients with the premier program, project and cost management offering in markets around the world.

Job Description

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Associate Director Estimator to support a high‑profile client delivering large‑scale U.S. hyperscale campuses, including multi‑billion‑dollar developments, multi‑building sites, and major expansion programs. This includes supporting a national portfolio characterized by 1GW+ data center campuses, multi‑acre greenfield developments, and rapid‑scale construction programs across several U.S. regions.

The ideal candidate has a strong preconstruction and estimating background, with deep experience supporting complex, fast‑moving construction programs.

This role is hybrid, with 2–3 days per week in the Tysons Corner, VA office, and includes approximately one week of travel per quarter to the client’s headquarters in Denver, CO.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage cost plans and detailed estimates from concept through detailed design across multiple geographies; lead reviews with internal and external teams.

• Present milestone cost updates (concept, schematic, DD, CD) and clearly communicate basis of estimate, assumptions, inclusions/exclusions, and risks.

• Lead quantity takeoffs and cost checks for complex, multi‑package scopes; ensure alignment between scope, drawings/models, and estimate.

• Provide program‑level estimating for defined scopes, synthesizing inputs across multiple projects and campuses to support portfolio decisions.

• Review contractor pricing (bids, pay apps, change orders); perform comparative assessments and develop recommendations.

• Drive benchmarking and cost modeling; build, maintain, and apply historical cost data and metrics; support life‑cycle cost analyses.

• Facilitate value engineering sessions; develop cost/benefit options and support early‑stage feasibility modeling.

• Support procurement and preconstruction activities including bid lists, bid analysis, tender reporting, and contract documentation.

• Partner with cost management, procurement, and project controls teams to align estimating outputs with budgeting and commercial strategy.

• Assess design changes, emerging construction approaches, and evolving scope requirements, producing timely estimate updates.

• Mentor junior staff; help develop estimating tools, templates, and best practices.

• Prepare leadership‑ready materials for client preconstruction and estimating discussions.

• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role and must be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Able to work a hybrid schedule, with 2–3 days per week in Turner & Townsend's San Francisco office, and approximately one week of travel per quarter to the client’s headquarters in Denver, CO.

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or related field.

• 7+ years of experience in construction estimating and cost management on large‑scale programs, with a strong foundation in preconstruction and detailed estimating.

• Experience with data center or mission‑critical construction is strongly preferred.

• Expertise in conceptual estimating, quantity takeoffs, and CSA cost fundamentals; MEP understanding is a plus.

• Knowledge of construction procurement methods and commercial contract structures.

• Demonstrated success in value engineering, feasibility assessments, and design/cost optimization.

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to work across multiple simultaneous projects.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with CostX preferred; familiarity with AutoCAD and/or Navisworks is beneficial.

Additional Information

*On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's needs.

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.

We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

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