Associate Director - Cost Manager - Commercial Real Estate Construction

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 programmes as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success.

Our capabilities include programme, 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 programme, project and cost management offering in markets around the world.

Job Description

Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced  Associate Director Cost Manager to lead cost management services for key construction programs and capital projects throughout California. This individual will be responsible for managing internal and external stakeholder relationships while ensuring the successful delivery of cost management services across all phases of the project lifecycle. 

To be successful in this role, you must possess excellent communication and leadership skills and be comfortable operating in a client-facing environment. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, results-driven, and capable of working independently while effectively leading and collaborating with project teams. In this key leadership position, you will provide strategic direction, foster high-performing teams, and promote Turner & Townsend's purpose, values, and vision across project delivery and client engagements. 

Responsibilities:  

• Strong leadership skills, experience leading a cost management team, ensuring they deliver on all accountabilities. 
• Taking a lead role in interfacing with the client, stakeholders and other consultants at all project stages. 
• Maintain excellent communication with client(s) and other consultants at all projects stages. 
• Performing quantity surveying, cost controls and change management activities throughout the project lifecycle. 
• Communicate effectively and professionally with numerous parties including the general contractor, owner’s representatives, and external stakeholders, taking responsibility for Turner & Townsend coordination within the overall construction process.
• Coordinate/assist with the strategic and operational management of Cost Management and Project Controls Services in a variety of sectors. 
• Be the first point of contact for reporting on the overall commercial status of a project. 
• Drive Turner & Townsend best practice at all stages of a project or program. 
• Identify opportunities to improve cost management procedures, processes, templates and products.
• Undertake Staff Performance reviews. 
• Set a clear strategy and ambition for the team. 
• Identify, coach and mentor talent to realize their potential and celebrate the success of others. 
• Grow and develop exceptional people. 
• Display excellence in leadership and service delivery on commissions is in line with the conditions of appointment 
• Financial Management - Utilize internal software to track ongoing margin levels and monthly fee/resource forecasts for each commission and financial reports. 
• Develop priority plans including risk mitigation through internal tools, make performance measurements via Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and appraisal documents, management controls and critical success factors based on company goals 
• Implement and maintain the use of internal Business Management Systems and company delivery methodologies and tools in the office to ensure consistent delivery of best practice for Clients and the company. 
• Undertake internal BMS audits, and coordinate and represent the office for external audits undertaken by the external certification authority. 
• Develop a detailed understanding of the market, acting as a brand ambassador and creating a pipeline of opportunity. 
• Advise on contracting and procurement strategy to the benefit of clients over a variety of industries and procurement routes and program level capital planning and reporting. 
• Strong relationships are developed with clients and cross-functional team members. 
• Participate in meetings with VP of Business Unit, Directors and staff and prepare and deliver presentations. 
• Provide weekly updates regarding the status of projects, initiatives, and staffing, and propose solutions and obtain approval and agreement from management team. 
• Identify and act upon any cross-selling or business generation opportunities. 
• Participate in generating proposals/RFP responses for new clients/projects. 
• Knowledge Management – Ensure key information and learning is generated from each commission and inputted into internal databases.
• Attending relevant networking events. 
• Be a role model that drives a one business culture that achieves great outcomes by striking the right balance for our people, clients, stakeholders, and society.  
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

 

Additional program requirements: 

• Develop and maintain parametric and hybrid cost models to enable rapid estimating, benchmarking, and scenario analysis.
• Prepare detailed cost estimates and budgets across workplace construction projects, including new builds, remodels, and tenant improvements.
• Lead cost planning efforts, including bid review, procurement strategy, and cost analysis reporting.
• Monitor project costs, manage financial risks, and maintain budget adherence throughout the project lifecycle.
• Leverage historical data, market intelligence, and industry trends to enhance accuracy and scalability of cost outputs.
• Align cost plans with project schedules to manage cash flow, accruals, and forecasting.
• Ensure compliance with client financial policies, contract requirements, and SOX controls where applicable.
• Maintain financial documentation, manage change orders, and provide clear reporting on cost status and risks.
• Support the development of AI-enabled cost modeling tools, including automated estimating and scenario analysis.
• Contribute to scalable cost intelligence platforms integrating design, asset, and market data.
• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, standardization, and data-driven delivery.
• Collaborate with technical teams to translate cost management workflows into digital solutions.
• Partner with clients and project teams to align scope, cost, and delivery strategy.
• Provide value engineering and data-driven recommendations to support decision-making.
• Communicate complex cost and risk insights to senior stakeholders with clarity and influence.
• Contribute to enterprise cost strategies, capital planning, and long-range forecasting.
• Mentor team members and drive continuous improvement

Qualifications

 

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering or field related to construction. 
• Graduate degree in quantity surveying, cost management, construction management, or engineering is preferred. 
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience working in a cost management role in the construction industry. 
• Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred. 
• SME in Quantity Surveying, and RICS certified or equivalent accreditation. 
• Demonstrates excellent presentation, verbal, written, organizational, and communication skills.

Additional Information

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

The base salary range for this role is $155,000-$175,000 USD. This range reflects the company's good faith estimate of the base salary for this position at the time of the posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, skills,

qualifications

, and internal equity. In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package.

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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Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted through our website or to Turner & Townsend personal e-mail accounts, are considered property of Turner & Townsend and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorised Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Turner & Townsend, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by the Recruitment Team, to submit candidates for review.