Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Overview

As a Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor, you will lead cost control and commercial management on a major data center program for a global tech client. You'll partner with design teams, contractors, and owners to forecast costs, assess risks, and guide commercial decisions. The role combines client-facing communication with rigorous financial oversight across pre- and post-contract activities. You'll shape value through cost optimization while maintaining schedule and quality. This is a chance to impact large-scale, mission-critical projects within a collaborative, global firm.

Compensation / Benefits

• flexible working environment
• healthy work-life balance
• inclusive, equal-opportunity employer
• opportunity to affect change
• global project exposure

Responsibilities

• Act as a client-facing commercial partner and communicate cost status, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders
• Prepare and present cost plans, estimates, funding summaries, and cash flow forecasts for large-scale data center projects
• Collaborate with design teams, engineers, and general contractors to support cost development and design progression
• Influence engineering and design decisions by evaluating cost, risk, and schedule impacts
• Lead pre- and post-contract cost management, forecasting, contingency handling, and commercial reporting
• Coordinate all cost inputs (supplier pricing, subcontractor data, direct procurement) for transparency and accuracy
• Validate contractor and subcontractor cost submissions, including quantities and pricing
• Estimate, negotiate, and reconcile change orders and variations per contract terms
• Maintain commitment, contingency, and forecast models; track performance against budgets
• Manage interim valuations, cost checks, and payment support to ensure accurate administration
• Support post-contract cost variance analysis and final accounts
• Participate in value engineering and cost optimization while maintaining performance, quality, and schedule
• Resolve cost, scope, and schedule issues with minimal supervision
• Prepare executive-level cost reports and commentary on contractor submissions, risks, and trends
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, where applicable

Key requirements

• Experience in cost management or quantity surveying in construction
• Experience on large-scale, complex, or mission-critical projects (data centers, industrial facilities, infrastructure)
• Strong post-contract administration and change management background
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities
• Proficiency with Procore, Bluebeam, Sage, or similar tools
• Strong understanding of construction contracts, procurement strategies, and commercial risk management
• Familiarity with data center construction including MEP and structural systems is advantageous
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills

• strong communication
• stakeholder-management
• negotiation
• Procore
• Bluebeam
• Sage