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Senior Cost Manager / Associate Director – Data Centers

Location: Hood River, Oregon, USA

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager or emerging Associate Director to join our team in Hood River, Oregon, supporting the delivery of complex data center developments. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in managing project costs across major data center construction projects, working closely with clients, contractors, consultants, and wider project teams to deliver exceptional value and successful project outcomes.

The ideal candidate will bring strong cost management expertise, a consultancy background, and experience working on large-scale, technically complex construction projects. You will take ownership of cost management activities across the project lifecycle, with the opportunity to contribute to the growth of our data center portfolio and support the development of junior team members.

Key Responsibilities

• Actively participate in the tender and bid process, from initial tender documentation through to bid analysis, evaluation, and reporting.
• Manage the change management process, including identifying, analysing, evaluating, and implementing changes that affect project scope, programme, and cost.
• Analyse tenders and contractor bids to ensure value for money and alignment with client requirements, project budgets, and procurement strategies.
• Assist in the preparation, negotiation, and agreement of final accounts, including the assessment of claims to ensure clients achieve best value from the works undertaken.
• Prepare detailed cost estimates, cost plans, and budget forecasts for data center developments, including complex building systems and infrastructure.
• Monitor and manage project expenditure through cost reporting, valuations, cash flow forecasting, and budget control, clearly communicating cost movements and variations to project stakeholders.
• Support effective project management and informed decision-making through accurate cost documentation, transparent reporting, and timely communication.
• Support the assessment and resolution of construction disputes, variations, and loss and expense claims in a fair and commercially robust manner.
• Work collaboratively with clients, design teams, contractors, and specialist consultants to manage cost risk and identify opportunities for value engineering and cost optimisation.
• Contribute to the procurement and cost management of specialist data center elements, including mechanical and electrical systems, power infrastructure, cooling systems, and other critical building services.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior team members, fostering high performance, professional development, and a collaborative team culture.
• At Associate Director level, support client relationship management, project leadership, business development, and the continued growth of the data center cost management offering.

What We’re Looking For

• Have experience as a Senior Cost Manager, Cost Consultant, or in a similar commercial or project cost management role, ideally within a construction consultancy environment.
• Have experience in pre-contract and post-contract cost management, including budget control, cost planning, tendering, procurement, and the preparation and management of change control documentation.
• Have experience delivering large-scale, complex construction projects, with data center, mission-critical, industrial, technology, or other technically demanding project experience highly desirable.
• Understand the cost drivers associated with complex building services, mechanical and electrical installations, power distribution, cooling infrastructure, and specialist construction materials.
• Are chartered or actively working towards a relevant professional qualification, or have equivalent industry experience.
• Hold a degree or have comparable professional experience in quantity surveying, cost management, construction management, engineering, or a related discipline.
• Are an excellent communicator, both verbally and in writing, with the ability to build strong relationships with clients and project stakeholders.
• Are commercially minded, analytical, and confident managing competing priorities, deadlines, and project requirements in a dynamic environment.
• Enjoy working collaboratively, taking ownership of your responsibilities, and contributing to a positive, transparent, and high-performing team culture.