Associate Director, Estimating – Data Center Construction

Turner & Townsend

. Act as the day-to-day senior client interface for MEP estimating and cost planning .

Posted 4/22/2026full-timeRemote • San Jose • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $190,000 - $195,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Act as the day-to-day senior client interface for MEP estimating and cost planning
Provide direction, leadership, and oversight of MEP estimating teams across multiple campuses
Lead, mentor, and develop estimating and cost management professionals
Partner closely with client, design, and program leadership to align estimating, scheduling, and delivery strategy
Lead estimate development and cost planning for MEP systems on multi-billion-dollar data center programs
Produce and present detailed MEP cost plans at all design milestones
Review and collaborate with design teams and general contractors in the development of MEP estimates
Reconcile design and scope changes and validate contractor MEP pricing for accuracy
Coordinate all sources of MEP cost information to support informed and defensible cost decisions
Lead change order estimating, negotiation, and valuation for MEP systems
Manage MEP cost variance analysis, commitment tracking, and contingency management
Ensure robust change control processes are followed throughout the project lifecycle
Review contractor and subcontractor pricing and lead commercial negotiations on behalf of the client
Ensure final accounts are negotiated and agreed in a timely manner
Produce and present monthly MEP cost reports and executive summaries to senior client stakeholders
Prepare funding data, benchmarking information, and as-built cost records
Ensure effective MEP cost auditing and validation processes are in place
Utilize internal systems to track margins, forecasting, resourcing, and financial performance
Provide commercial and estimating input into design optioneering and value engineering exercises
Drive engineering priorities based on MEP cost and program impact
Coordinate and lead value engineering workshops with designers, contractors, and client stakeholders
Work proactively with minimal supervision to identify and resolve cost and schedule risks related to MEP systems
Promote Turner & Townsend’s values, purpose, and one-business culture.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Extensive experience in data center construction or comparable large-scale industrial programs
Experience supporting or leading multi-billion-dollar data center campuses with multiple buildings
Deep expertise in MEP systems on large, complex construction projects
Proven experience leading estimating or cost management teams
Minimum 8+ years of relevant cost management or estimating experience
Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a related discipline
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including senior client engagement
Construction consultancy background preferred
Experience across pre-construction and post-contract MEP cost management
Strong understanding of procurement routes, value management, and value engineering
RICS accredited or actively working toward accreditation
Experience operating in client-facing leadership roles on complex, fast-paced programs.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Bonuses
Comprehensive benefits package
Flexible working environment
Work-life balance

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

MEP estimatingcost planningcost managementchange order estimatingcost variance analysiscommitment trackingfinancial performance trackingvalue engineeringdesign optioneeringprocurement routes

Soft Skills

leadershipmentoringcommunicationcollaborationproblem-solvingclient engagementnegotiationoversightteam developmentproactive work ethic

Certifications

RICS accreditationBachelor’s degree in construction managementBachelor’s degree in cost managementBachelor’s degree in quantity surveyingBachelor’s degree in engineering