Associate Director

Associate DirectorDepartment: EMEA Consultancy - Data CentreEmployment Type: Full TimeLocation: London, United KingdomReporting To: David LymburnDescriptionWe are seeking an ambitious and highly capable Associate Director to lead one of our key hyperscale client accounts, delivering Quantity Surveying (QS) services across a portfolio of major data centre projects throughout Europe - including London, Frankfurt, and Paris, with an expanding pipeline in locations such as Zaragoza and the Nordics. This is a client-facing leadership role that combines account management, team leadership, and business growth. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving commercial performance, maintaining best-in-class standards across all project deliverables, and expanding our service offering beyond QS into PMC roles over time.Key ResponsibilitiesAccount Leadership & GrowthAct as the primary client lead for a major hyperscale account, maintaining trusted relationships and ensuring consistent delivery excellence across all projects.Identify and pursue opportunities to expand service lines and geographies, supporting strategic growth of the account across Europe.Develop and implement account growth plans aligned with client objectives and internal business strategy.Commercial & Technical DeliveryOversee the delivery of full pre- and post-contract QS services, ensuring robust estimating, bid analysis, cost reporting, change assessment, and final account management.Uphold and enhance internal QA standards to achieve best-in-class outputs across all client deliverables.Provide commercial insight and strategic guidance to clients on procurement, contract strategy, and risk management.Leadership & Team ManagementLead and mentor a multi-disciplinary team across multiple European locations, fostering collaboration, accountability, and high performance.Set clear expectations and monitor team output to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with both client and business KPIs.Champion professional development within the team, cultivating future leaders and maintaining a culture of continuous improvement.Operational ExcellenceDrive consistency and efficiency in processes, reporting, and systems across all projects.Support business improvement initiatives to enhance productivity and profitability across the account.Ensure compliance with company policies, governance frameworks, and health and safety standards.Skills, Knowledge & ExpertiseA proven leader in construction consultancy, ideally with experience managing hyperscale or mission-critical projects.Experienced in commercial and cost management across large, complex, and fast-paced construction programmes.Strong background in client relationship management and business development, with a track record of growing key accounts.Highly skilled in estimating, cost planning, risk management, and final account delivery.Strategic thinker with strong financial acumen, capable of balancing commercial objectives with operational excellence.Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, able to navigate complex interfaces between client, design, and contractor teams.Demonstrates resilience under pressure, excellent attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.Committed to driving innovation, sustainability, and value engineering across every stage of the project lifecycle.Job BenefitsWe’re on a mission to rewrite the rules. We’re a diverse team of professionals who consider our work a vocation, not just a job. This sense of purpose and affinity for what we do is what fuels our ambition, driving us to keep learning and seeking new challenges. Inclusion is at the heart of our company’s culture. We’re proud of our unique personality, and we know that our diverse team brings a wealth of perspectives that enrich our work.Grow with us Our people are our greatest asset, so you’ll get ongoing training and personal development to help you flourish, building a long-term and successful career with us. We’re small but mighty – you’ll have opportunities to progress quickly and be trusted with responsibilities you could only dream of in a larger organization, including the chance to work on some of the industry\'s most exciting projects.What you’ll get in return Soben’s start-up mentality means every person has the autonomy to make a difference within a fast-paced dynamic organization. As well as market-leading pay and conditions, we provide an environment where everyone can flourish. We value work-life balance. Flexible schedules and remote work opportunities give you the opportunity to thrive at work and in your personal life.Our Leadership Principles Soben’s Leadership Principles are at the heart of our culture. They guide how we engage with each other and with our clients, and how we help our talented employees flourish in their careers.1. We always deliver on our promises, no matter how small2. We are driven to solve our clients’ problems as if paying our rent or mortgage depends on it3. We have a bias for action. Actions make things happen4. We employ the best people who are ambitious, hardworking, humble, and open to feedback. We empower them to “proceed until apprehended”5. We have a business owner mentality to cost management6. We are open, honest, and direct in our communications7. We have a growth mindset8. We reinvest our profits to create a sustainable business for the long termAbout usSoben offers something different: world-class construction consultancy, paired with hands-on commercial experience. We increase certainty in our clients’ investments through cost, schedule, risk, and project management. With a track record of successfully delivering major construction projects, we pride ourselves on going the extra mile. And we always deliver on our promises.An obsessive commitment to excellence, and forensic attention to detail are the cornerstones of our culture. They’re how we help our clients deliver on time, on budget and with certainty, every time. #J-18808-Ljbffr