Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

Job Description

Advise the client on commercial strategy, including vendor prequalification, bid evaluation, bid leveling, and final recommendation
Lead and manage the procurement process, including attending and chairing bid interviews and supporting contractor appointments
Develop and manage detailed project estimates across all phases (construction, fees, direct costs, and related expenses), ensuring accuracy and alignment with program objectives
Review estimates prepared by junior team members and present findings, value engineering options, and risk assessments to stakeholders
Engage directly with contractors and vendors to validate, challenge, and benchmark costs against market data and similar data center projects
Establish and maintain robust cost reporting processes, including forecasting, budget tracking, and variance analysis for large-scale capital programs
Develop and manage commercial risk registers and facilitate regular cost and risk review meetings with the project team
Oversee cost control processes, including payment applications, change order evaluation, and contractor entitlement recommendations
Manage commercial aspects of contracts, including dispute avoidance and resolution, with a proactive and solutions-driven approach
Monitor invoicing and financial workflows to ensure accuracy and compliance with governance requirements
Lead final account negotiations, project closeout, and post-contract audits
Contribute to continuous improvement by capturing lessons learned and supporting the development of best practices across the data center sector
Utilize cost management systems, estimating tools, and benchmarking data to support high-quality project delivery

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field
• Minimum 6+ years of experience in cost management, quantity surveying, or estimating within the construction industry
• Experience supporting mission-critical or large-scale infrastructure projects (data center experience strongly preferred)
• Strong understanding of construction delivery methods (e.g., DBB, DB, CMAR) and commercial management processes
• Proven experience managing costs across multiple project phases, from pre-construction through closeout
• Consultancy experience is highly preferred
• Professional accreditation (RICS or working toward) is advantageous
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to operate in a client-facing role
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a high level of accountability and attention to detail
• Willingness to travel as needed to support project requirements