Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor - Data Center Construction

About the Role

The Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor will act as the primary client interface for a large‑scale, mission‑critical data centre programme in Maiden, NC. The role is responsible for delivering value‑added cost management, ensuring the project stays on schedule, within budget and meets the highest quality standards, while fostering governance, commercial rigour and stakeholder engagement. The position follows a hybrid work model, requiring three days on‑site and two days remote per week. In this senior position, the incumbent will lead the development of cost plans, produce regular reporting, coordinate cost data from design teams and contractors, and oversee procurement strategy and commercial negotiations. They will manage change control, support risk analysis and contingency planning, and integrate cost controls with schedule and scope through earned‑value management. Additionally, the role includes mentoring junior staff and promoting a high‑performance, one‑business culture. • Develop and maintain detailed cost plans and estimates throughout design and delivery phases. • Produce and present monthly cost reports, executive summaries, and funding data to stakeholders. • Coordinate cost information from design teams, contractors, subcontractors, and vendors for validation and auditing. • Compile built cost records for benchmarking and continuous improvement. • Lead procurement strategy development, pricing reviews, scope validation, and commercial negotiations. • Manage final accounts and ensure timely agreement. • Own change control process: review, estimate, negotiate, reconcile change orders and post‑contract cost variances. • Support cost risk analysis, scenario planning, contingency management, and commitment tracking. • Implement robust cost control systems, including Earned Value Management where applicable. • Integrate cost with schedule and scope, collaborating closely with project controls and scheduling teams. • Drive engineering priorities based on cost impact; lead value engineering initiatives and cost optimization strategies. • Monitor market trends such as escalation, labor availability, and material pricing to provide timely insights. • Serve as the primary client interface to ensure objectives are met and service excellence is delivered. • Prepare and present executive‑level updates and written comments on contractor submissions. • Mentor and coach junior team members, fostering a high‑performance, one‑business culture.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸cost planning
• ▸cost reporting
• ▸procurement strategy
• ▸change control
• ▸earned value
• ▸client interface

What You Bring

Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in construction management, quantity surveying, engineering or a related discipline, and have five to seven years of cost‑management or project‑control experience in complex, mission‑critical environments such as data centres. Experience in construction consultancy, strong knowledge of MEP systems, proficiency with cost‑management tools and a solid understanding of budgeting, financial reporting and EVM are essential. RICS accreditation or progress toward it is advantageous, together with excellent communication, negotiation and analytical skills. • Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field. • 5–7+ years of cost management or project‑controls experience in mission‑critical environments like data centres. • Construction consultancy experience strongly preferred. • Strong understanding of MEP systems and hyperscale data‑center infrastructure. • Expertise in budgeting, financial reporting, cost control systems, and Earned Value Management. • Proven procurement and commercial contract management skills. • RICS accreditation or progress toward certification is advantageous. • Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities. • Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with high attention to detail. • Proficiency with industry‑standard cost management tools and software.

Requirements

• ▸construction degree
• ▸5-7 yrs
• ▸mep
• ▸earned value
• ▸rics
• ▸cost software

Work Environment

Onsite