Project Director Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor – Data Center 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 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. 

Turner & Townsend are seeking a Project Director level Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to join our Seattle, WA team and lead the successful delivery of a large‑scale, mission‑critical data center program. This senior leadership role will oversee end‑to‑end cost management services across multiple phases, ensuring commercial rigor, governance, and alignment with program objectives.

As Project Director, you will guide a high‑performing cost management team, resolve complex delivery challenges, and implement best‑practice methodologies throughout the project lifecycle. This is a highly visible, client‑facing position requiring exceptional communication skills and the ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels.

In this role, you will provide strategic leadership and direction while championing Turner & Townsend’s purpose, values, and vision. You will manage both internal and external partners, drive accountability, and ensure consistent, high‑quality cost management delivery across the program.

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, with three days per week in our Seattle office and remote flexibility for the remaining days.


Responsibilities:

• Provide executive-level leadership for cost management across all phases of a major data center program, ensuring governance, compliance, and alignment with organizational standards.
• Define and implement commercial strategy, cost frameworks, and reporting structures for multi-billion-dollar budgets, including early-stage budgeting, detailed cost planning, procurement strategy, and risk mitigation.
• Act as the senior point of contact for stakeholders, maintaining strong communication and transparency throughout all project stages.
• Oversee full lifecycle cost management activities, including quantity surveying, cost controls, change management, and contingency tracking across multiple packages and phases.
• Lead executive-level reporting, presenting cost performance, forecasts, and risk assessments to leadership teams and influencing strategic decisions.
• Drive value engineering and design optimization initiatives to identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising performance or quality.
• Mentor and develop senior cost management leaders, ensuring capability growth, succession planning, and staff performance reviews.
• Contribute to the enhancement of internal cost management tools, templates, and processes for continuous improvement and best practice implementation.
• Manage financial performance, including margin tracking, fee/resource forecasts, and compliance with internal Business Management Systems (BMS).
• Support preconstruction activities, feasibility studies, and early-stage cost modeling for future phases.
• Build strategic relationships with clients, stakeholders, contractors, and vendors, acting as a trusted advisor and identifying opportunities for business growth and cross-selling.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years of experience in cost management or project controls, with significant leadership experience at program level.
• Proven track record managing large-scale, mission-critical construction programs (e.g., hyperscale data centers, energy infrastructure, industrial) is required.
• Expertise in cost planning, budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control systems at program level.
• Strong knowledge of procurement strategies, commercial management, and construction contracts, including change management and risk allocation.
• RICS accreditation or equivalent professional certification strongly preferred.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and negotiation skills with the ability to influence at executive level.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in industry-standard tools and software for cost management.
• Familiarity with MEP systems and complex building services is beneficial.
• Ability to manage multiple phases and packages concurrently in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with value engineering and design optimization techniques.
• Knowledge of energy infrastructure, carbon capture technologies, and sustainability considerations is a plus.

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

The salary range for this role is $185K-$200 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.

Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com/ and https://www.heery.com/

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time. 

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.