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Turner & Townsend

Global project management and cost consulting

Associate Director/Project Director - Defence Construction

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
No salary listed
Expert
Bachelor's
Bristol, UK
HybridAnticipated on client sites or Turner & Townsend offices 60% of the time; travel may be required and attendance may flex with business needs.
Architecture & Civil EngineeringConstruction Management
UK Citizenship Required

About the job

Requirements
  • Prior significant project management or construction management assignments at a leadership level, including operations management of personnel and effective management of client outcomes.
  • Experience balancing technical, leadership, and managerial approaches in highly regulated delivery environments, such as nuclear-regulated sites, and engaging and managing stakeholders at a variety of levels.
  • A strong technical background and previous project management experience on infrastructure projects.
  • Ability to manage and direct cross-functional teams with pan-domain and pan-discipline expertise.
  • Ability to apply systems thinking to complex multi-stakeholder environments.
  • Ability to perform in a management capacity and thorough knowledge of industry practices and regulations.
  • Construction-related degree or degree in a related technical or business field, with significant competence spanning all stages of the programme life cycle.
  • NEC or FIDIC commercial experience.
  • Must be a sole UK national able to achieve and maintain UK Ministry of Defence Security Clearance (SC).
Responsibilities
  • Act as the Turner & Townsend representative with the client and selected subcontractors during programme execution; negotiate scope changes with the client and key subcontractors; collaborate with Business Development to market and secure additional work; follow up on programme instructions and commitments; and participate in regulatory conversations and public meetings in support of clients.
  • Oversee establishment of the Project Execution Plan, Health and Safety Plan, Quality Assurance/Quality Control Plan, and other required documents.
  • Establish delivery requirements for all project areas and monitor draft and final deliverables for adherence; ensure the project team understands the project brief, requirements, and outputs.
  • Plan, direct, supervise, and control business, technical, fiscal, and administrative functions of the assigned project; assign responsibility for project plans to subordinates based on their qualifications and strengths; provide input to performance reviews and development plans; and oversee field responsibilities such as labour relations, local procurement, and payroll operations when required.
  • Mobilise resources through liaison with capability leads, other offices, or subsidiaries to create project teams capable of completing effective, quality work; discuss qualifications for key project positions with capability and Cost Centre Leads; and collaborate with the programme enterprise on project space requirements.
  • Work with managers, project engineers, and discipline leads to develop budgets, schedules, and plans for programme elements, and ensure the programme meets or exceeds project-plan goals.
  • Work with key project individuals to devise and execute action plans to address potential cost overruns or delays and significant scope changes; advise the client and company management of changes; and maintain current and timely change orders.
  • Promote technical and commercial excellence through Quality Assurance processes; monitor and report to management on project activity, significant milestones, and conditions affecting project cost or schedule.
  • Travel to client sites as required.
  • Attend client sites or Turner & Townsend offices for an anticipated 60% of the time, with attendance subject to change based on client and business requirements.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience working in infrastructure, defence, or nuclear environments.
  • Experience applying the NEC4 suite of contracts.
  • Experience working for or with Tier 1 contractors.
  • Senior accreditation from a professional body such as ICE, APM, or RICS.
  • A strong infrastructure background in defence, nuclear, transportation, or utilities.

About the company

Turner & Townsend provides project management, cost management, and advisory services for real estate, infrastructure, and natural resources projects across the full project life cycle. It coordinates multidisciplinary teams to plan, budget, schedule, manage risk, and ensure quality from early design to operation, leveraging a global network of offices. Its long history, extensive footprint (over 130 offices in more than 45 countries), and CBRE ownership help it manage large, complex assets on time and within budget. Its goal is to help clients maximize asset value by delivering projects efficiently and optimizing performance from inception through operation.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

Acquired

Total Funding

$1.3B

Headquarters

Leeds, United Kingdom

Founded

1980

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Revenue jumped to £5.76 billion in 2025, with UK net revenue up 106.2%.
  • August 2026 hires in defense, energy, and infrastructure expand near-term contract capacity.
  • September 2026 leadership moves target Europe, Saudi Arabia, and AI-driven operational efficiency.

What critics are saying

  • Heathrow’s £33 billion expansion ties growth to one politically exposed mega-project timeline.
  • Saudi Vision 2030 hiring deepens Middle East dependence; any budget reset hits revenue.
  • CBRE ownership leaves Turner & Townsend vulnerable to integration friction and margin pressure.

What makes Turner & Townsend unique

  • Turner & Townsend’s 2025 revenue reached £5.76 billion, dominating global programme management.
  • Its Hive platform standardizes cost planning across portfolios, strengthening controls and data-driven delivery.
  • Patricia Moore and Emma Gilthorpe signal a heavy bet on leadership and AI transformation.

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Benefits

  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Remote Work Options

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

21%

1 year growth

21%

2 year growth

21%
Consultancy.uk
Oct 16th, 2026
Turner & Townsend appoints Christian Galanis to strengthen technical due diligence team.

Turner & Townsend appoints Christian Galanis to strengthen technical due diligence team. 16 October 2026 Consultancy.uk Christian Galanis has joined Turner & Townsend as a director. He will work to lead and grow the firm's new environmental consultancy service. Daniel Hudson, an executive director for Turner & Townsend in the UK, said, "Environmental risk is playing a larger role in real estate transactions, however is traditionally considered separate from the wider technical due diligence advice. Christian's appointment strengthens our ability to bring those disciplines together, giving investors, lenders, occupiers and developers a more complete understanding of asset risk. His transaction expertise and sector experience makes him ideally placed to enhance this capability and help our clients make confident, commercially informed decisions." Based in London, Galanis brings almost 15 years of experience in environmental risk, transaction advisory and ESG due diligence. Most recently, he led the transaction advisory team at Arcadis, helping clients navigate high-value transactions across real estate, infrastructure, energy and data centres across the UK and Europe. He has also led environmental projects on over 200 property and merger and acquisition transactions throughout his career. The appointment underscores Turner & Townsend's continued investment in its advisory capabilities, according to the firm. The move also bolsters its technical due diligence offer by incorporating environmental consultancy services in response to growing client demand across the region. Working alongside Turner & Townsend's established building consultancy teams, the environmental consultancy team provides critical due diligence and risk management advice for clients acquiring, disposing of and refinancing real estate assets.As director within its building consultancy business, Galanis will lead the development and growth of the environmental service line. The new director added, "I'm excited to join Turner & Townsend and build on our ambitious growth plans by strengthening our environmental advisory offer. In an increasingly complex market, our team will provide investors, lenders and corporate occupiers with the insight needed to assess environmental risks, manage liabilities and support successful acquisitions, disposals and portfolio strategies." Earlier this year, Turner & Townsend was named one of the UK's leading consultancies for project management and construction services by industry platform Consultancy.org.

Consultancy.nl
Oct 9th, 2026
Kees van Hardeveld strengthens Turner & Townsend as project director for real estate.

Kees van Hardeveld strengthens Turner & Townsend as project director for real estate. 09 October 2026 Consultancy.nl Turner & Townsend's real estate team has been strengthened with project director Kees van Hardeveld. Van Hardeveld is moving from CBRE Development Partners to Turner & Townsend. As project director, he will focus on complex real estate assignments and the further growth of the organization's urban development practice in the Netherlands. With Van Hardeveld's arrival, Turner & Townsend is further expanding its position in the real estate market. He will, among other things, work on large-scale renovation and new-build projects for investors, developers and owner-occupiers. Extensive real estate experience. Van Hardeveld has more than twenty years of experience at the interface of real estate development, project management and construction. He previously held various positions at, among others, Carante Groep, Twynstra Gudde and CBRE. At CBRE, he was active for years in various real estate projects for investors in commercial real estate. He also worked for several years at housing investor Haavens. During his career, Van Hardeveld was involved in various complex real estate projects, including the development of a logistics hotspot for Geodis in Venlo, the renovation of the Haagse Poort in The Hague, various developments in Amsterdam Zuidoost and strategic development trajectories for organizations such as ING and Rabobank. The move also underlines the close collaboration between Turner & Townsend and CBRE. By further strengthening the connection between Turner & Townsend and CBRE Advisory, both organizations can support clients even better with complex real estate and development issues. Remco Kroeze, managing director of Turner & Townsend Netherlands, and Sogol Azarbad, head of urban development at Turner & Townsend Netherlands, respond enthusiastically to Van Hardeveld's arrival: "Kees has built an impressive track record in the real estate sector and brings valuable experience from both project and cost management as well as real estate development." "With his knowledge of complex investor projects and his strong network, he is an important addition to our urban development team within the real estate department. We look forward to continuing to build together on the growth of our real estate practice." For Van Hardeveld, the move feels like a logical next step: "I look forward to contributing to Turner & Townsend's growth plans and further strengthening the collaboration with CBRE."

ME Construction News
Sep 10th, 2026
Turner & Townsend appoints new Head of Infrastructure in KSA.

Turner & Townsend appoints new Head of Infrastructure in KSA. Posted on September 10, 2026 Leila Taghavi will drive growth across key sectors such as rail, roads, ports, water, aviation and defence during a period of high demand Leila Taghavi has been appointed as Turner & Townsend's new Head of Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The consultancy said the move is in response to a rise in major programmes across the Middle East driven by national plans for transformation. Leading the Infrastructure business at Turner & Townsend across KSA, Taghavi will drive growth across key sectors such as rail, roads, ports, water, aviation and defence during a period of high demand - playing a part in the market's Vision 2030 strategy for significant infrastructure, said a statement from the firm. "Infrastructure represents a significant growth opportunity for Turner & Townsend across the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Leila's decades of experience leading complex capital programmes, proven track record across services our clients value most, and extensive expertise will position her well as we embark on this next phase of growth. We pride ourselves on investing in world-class leadership at Turner & Townsend, as we move further and faster to expand our presence across the region," explained Graeme Baxter, Regional Head of Infrastructure, Middle East at Turner & Townsend. Taghavi is said to have more than 20-years of experience delivering large-scale infrastructure programmes across Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Her career spans both consultancy and client-side roles, including at Transport for New South Wales, where she played a leading role in the delivery, governance, and assurance of large-scale programmes. She also brings extensive expertise in programme management, controls, performance, and risk management, it added. "Saudi Arabia is undertaking one of the most ambitious infrastructure transformations in the world, driving the creation of nationally significant schemes that will have a lasting impact on Turner & Townsend connectivity, economic growth and future generations. Turner & Townsend's reputation for delivering major programmes and excellent client outcomes provides a strong platform for continued expansion. I look forward to working with our clients to help bring to life transformational infrastructure projects across the Kingdom," Taghavi commented. Since relocating to the Middle East, Taghavi has played a key role in delivering some of Turner & Townsend's most significant transport, aviation, urban development and destination programmes in Saudi Arabia, supporting investments in infrastructure transformation that are enhancing connectivity, driving economic growth and advancing the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030, the firm explained.

Consultancy-me.com
Sep 9th, 2026
Turner & Townsend promotes Leila Taghavi to Head of Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

Turner & Townsend promotes Leila Taghavi to Head of Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. 09 September 2026 Consultancy-me.com Global project management consultancy Turner & Townsend has appointed Leila Taghavi as its new Head of Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. Leading the Infrastructure business, Taghavi will oversee the firm's offerings in sectors such as rail, roads, ports, water, aviation and defence - industries that play a large part in the nation's Vision 2030 strategy for significant infrastructure. "Saudi Arabia is undertaking one of the most ambitious infrastructure transformations in the world, driving the creation of nationally significant schemes that will have a lasting impact on connectivity, economic growth and future generations," said Taghavi. Taghavi takes on her new role with more than 20 years of experience delivering large-scale infrastructure programmes across Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Her career spans both consultancy and client-side roles, most recently serving Transport for New South Wales in Australia, where she was a director focused on the delivery of transport projects. Earlier, she worked for Aquenta Consulting and Italian group Salini Impregilo on a major metro project in Sydney. Throughout her career, she gained extensive experience in the delivery, governance, and assurance of large-scale programmes. She also has expertise in project controls, performance, and risk management. Since relocating to the Middle East early 2024, Taghavi has played a key role in delivering some of Turner & Townsend's most significant transport, aviation, urban development and destination programmes in Saudi Arabia, supporting investments in infrastructure transformation that are enhancing connectivity, driving economic growth and advancing the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030. "The reputation of Turner & Townsend for delivering major programmes and excellent client outcomes provides a strong platform for continued expansion. I look forward to working with our clients to help bring to life transformational infrastructure projects across the Kingdom," she said. Graeme Baxter, Head of Infrastructure for the Middle East, stated: "Infrastructure represents a significant growth opportunity for Turner & Townsend across the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Leila's decades of experience leading complex capital programmes, proven track record across services our clients value most, and extensive expertise will position her well as we embark on this next phase of growth."

Adjacent Digital Politics Ltd
Sep 3rd, 2026
Nima Nicolas Aase appointed as new T&T regional managing director.

Nima Nicolas Aase appointed as new T&T regional managing director. September 3, 2026 Aase will be the new Turner & Townsend (T&T) director for Europe, after having served as managing director for the Nordics. Nima Nicolas Aase has been with the company for more than a decade, and was instrumental in growing Turner & Townsend's operations in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland. Aase's appointment follows Patricia Moore's appointment as managing director for EMEA earlier this year. Strengthening European operations. As part of T&T's ambition to become the world's leading programme manager, Aase will now work with teams across the continent to improve client relationships and fuel growth. Patricia Moore, managing director for EMEA at Turner & Townsend, said: "Nima has been instrumental in driving its growth across the Nordics, consistently demonstrating the kind of strategic vision and delivery expertise that sets exceptional leaders apart. His experience building and scaling its business across that region gives him a strong combination of regional depth and pan-European perspective that its clients need as their own ambitions evolve. "Nima's leadership, commitment to our business and people, and understanding of what our clients want to achieve will be central to how we accelerate our European growth agenda." Nima Nicolas Aase, regional managing director, Europe, at Turner & Townsend, said: "Europe presents some of the most exciting opportunities in our industry, and we have the talent, relationships and platform to capture them. My focus will be on bringing our teams closer together, deepening our partnerships with clients and continuing to grow our reputation as a trusted partner across Europe." Tackling large projects. In March, Turner & Townsend was appointed as one of the Portfolio Management Office consultants on the long-awaited Heathrow airport infrastructure expansion. The framework was initially set for five years with an option to extend for another five years, supporting Heathrow's infrastructure expansion as well as the third runway, backed by the government after long discussions over whether it would be developed by Heathrow Airport Limited or the Arora Group's Heathrow West Limited. In partnership with AtkinsRéalis, T&T are now giving their full programme and project management services to support the £33bn expansion. James Corrigan, managing director of Infrastructure, UK at Turner & Townsend, said: "We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership of over 30 years with Heathrow and to bring together the combined strengths of Turner & Townsend and AtkinsRéalis. This appointment is a testament to our commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure that supports Heathrow's growth and benefits the wider UK economy."