Associate Director, Cost Management

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. 

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director, Cost Management to join our Ottawa team and provide commercial leadership to a major public-sector client.

This role is ideal for a highly accomplished commercial or cost management professional with extensive experience delivering large-scale capital projects within the real estate, infrastructure, or public-sector environment. You will serve as a trusted advisor, providing strategic commercial guidance, supporting governance activities, managing commercial risk, and ensuring effective contract administration across complex project portfolios.

This position requires a minimum of four days per week onsite at the client's office.

Onsite requirements may change based on client needs.

Job Description

As Associate Director, Cost Management, you will provide senior-level commercial leadership and advisory services to support the successful delivery of major capital projects and programs.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing specialist commercial management advice and guidance to our public-sector client throughout the project lifecycle.
• Managing project budgets and overseeing commercial performance to ensure alignment with project objectives, governance requirements, and contractual obligations.
• Producing, reviewing, and presenting financial and commercial reports to support effective decision-making and stakeholder governance.
• Leading change control activities in accordance with contractual frameworks, including tracking and documenting changes, administering early warning provisions, evaluating commercial impacts, and negotiating contractual change.
• Supporting the management and mitigation of commercial risks while ensuring contractual compliance across project activities.
• Contributing to the defence and resolution of contract claims through the review and analysis of financial and commercial information.
• Acting as a key interface between Turner & Townsend and the client, fostering strong relationships and ensuring effective communication across stakeholder groups.
• Supporting the review, enhancement, and implementation of commercial processes to improve efficiency, consistency, and operational effectiveness.
• Building and maintaining trusted relationships with clients, partners, and key stakeholders while identifying opportunities to expand and strengthen client engagement.
• Mentoring and supporting the development of junior team members, promoting technical excellence and knowledge sharing.
• Supporting broader business management, operational priorities, and strategic growth initiatives within the Cost Management practice.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years of post-graduate experience in commercial management, cost management, contract management, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience managing the commercial aspects of complex, large-scale, multi-disciplinary real estate or capital projects.
• Proven experience providing commercial oversight on projects with values exceeding $100 million.
• Strong understanding of commercial governance, contract administration, cost control, change management, and risk management principles.
• Experience preparing and presenting commercial and financial information to senior stakeholders and project leadership teams.
• Exceptional relationship management, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively within complex client environments and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong analytical capabilities and attention to detail with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach.
• Commitment to delivering exceptional client service and high-quality outcomes.

Education & Professional Accreditation

• A recognized degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Construction Management, Commercial Management, Project Management, or a related discipline.
• Professional accreditation such as:
  • MRICS
  • PQS
  • CEC
  • or equivalent professional designation

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Security Requirements

• Must possess, or be eligible to obtain, Government of Canada Reliability Status at a minimum.
• Existing Government of Canada Secret Clearance is considered a strong asset.

Preferred

Qualifications

• Experience supporting federal government or broader public-sector capital programs.
• Demonstrated leadership experience within large project environments.
• Experience implementing commercial governance frameworks and process improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with commercial and project management platforms such as CostX, Aconex, Unifier, or similar systems.

Additional Information

What's in it for you... 

• 100% covered health and dental benefits for you and your dependents (including paramedical services) 
• Health spending account, to top up expenses not covered in the benefits program 
• RRSP option with company matching 
• Annual learning and development budget 
• Access to a range of online learning tools, and support for career development and growth 
• Coverage of one professional membership or license fee per year, if directly related to your role
• We believe in work-life balance, so you can recharge and take care of what matters most with vacation, flex and sick days
• A flexible, hybrid work approach that allows colleagues to find balance between their professional and personal lives 
• Commitment to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture that promotes a sense of belonging 

The base salary range for this full-time role is $120,000 - $170,000 per year. Ranges are determined by role and level and represent a good faith effort to provide a fair and equitable salary. This range is a reflection of base salary only, not of a total compensation package.  Please note Turner & Townsend reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range, depending on candidate’s experience and

qualifications

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.

Turner & Townsend does not accept any speculative or unsolicited CV’s that have been sent to our internal recruitment team or hiring managers from agencies outside of our preferred supplier list. Any speculative or unsolicited CV’s will be treated as a direct application.

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.

We may use automated or AI-based tools to support the screening, assessment, or selection of applicants.

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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.