Associate Director - Operations Manager

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.

The Associate Director – Operations Manager responsible for overseeing operational performance across our team. The role focuses on ensuring consistent, high‑quality project delivery, effective resource utilization, strong governance, and alignment with business strategy across all commissions. The position partners closely with Directors and Project Directors to drive operational excellence, scalable delivery models, and client satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Delivery Governance

• Provide operational oversight across the full portfolio of project management assignments.
• Establish, maintain, and enforce PM delivery standards, methodologies, reporting frameworks, and quality assurance processes.
• Ensure consistent application of PM best practices across all projects (e.g., change control, risk management, schedule governance).
• Act as escalation point for delivery challenges, performance risks, and complex client issues.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Resource & Capacity Management

• Lead resource forecasting, allocation, and utilization planning across PM teams.
• Balance workloads across projects to ensure optimal staffing and minimal delivery risk.
• Partner with Directors and HR on recruitment strategy, onboarding, staff development, and succession planning for PM talent.
• Monitor utilization and productivity metrics and implement corrective actions where required.

Project Performance Oversight

• Provide independent oversight of major, high‑value, or high‑risk PM commissions.
• Support Project Directors and Senior Project Managers with recovery strategies for challenged projects.
• Review project performance data including schedule adherence, risk registers, issue logs, and client feedback.
• Promote lessons‑learned processes and continuous improvement across the PM practice.

Financial & Commercial Support 

• Support operating budgets related to PM delivery (headcount costs, utilization targets).
• Monitor fee burn, staffing assumptions, and resourcing alignment with PM scopes.
• Support go/no‑go decisions and operational input into PM bids and proposals.
• Ensure PM scopes are resourced and delivered in line with agreed fee and service levels.

Process Improvement & Strategy Execution

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on PM delivery efficiency, reporting, and controls.
• Support implementation and optimization of PM systems and tools (e.g., scheduling platforms, dashboards, document management).
• Translate business strategy into operational PM delivery plans with measurable outcomes.
• Support growth initiatives through scalable PM operating models.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Support Directors in key client relationship management and strategic accounts.
• Participate in senior project reviews, steering committees, and client performance reviews.
• Ensure consistent client experience across all PM engagements.
• Represent operations within leadership forums and internal governance meetings.

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related discipline.
• 10–15+ years of experience in project management consultancy or professional PM services.
• Proven experience overseeing multi‑project PM operations or a PM business unit.
• Strong understanding of PM governance, delivery frameworks, and client-facing leadership.
• Professional accreditation preferred (PMP, APM, PRINCE2, RICS, CIOB, or equivalent).

Core Competencies

• PM operational leadership and governance
• Resource planning and utilization management
• Risk and issue management
• Client relationship leadership
• Change management and continuous improvement
• Strong communication and decision‑making skills

Reporting Line

• Reports to: Managing Director / Regional Director / PM Practice Lead
• Works closely with: Project Directors, Senior Project Managers, PMO, HR, and Business Leadership

The salary range for this full-time role is $160K-$200K 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. 

*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.

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.

Join our social media conversations for more information about Turner & Townsend and our exciting future projects: 

Twitter

Instagram

LinkedIn

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.