Senior Cost Manager, Data Centre Construction

About Overwatch EMEA

Overwatch EMEA extends Overwatch Mission Critical’s proven delivery model across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. We provide construction professional services, talent acquisition, and delivery leadership for mission-critical infrastructure projects, applying the same operational discipline, reliability, and veteran-led expertise that define our work in the United States.

From greenfield hyperscale development to complex live-site expansions, our teams support the safe, efficient delivery of high-performance data center environments. At Overwatch, it’s more than a job - it’s a purpose.

Position Overview

As a Senior Cost Manager, you will serve as the commercial authority across hyperscale data centre construction programmes, protecting budget integrity, forecasting accuracy, and financial governance from pre-construction through commissioning and handover.

Working within a client-side delivery environment, you will oversee cost planning, contractor commercial management, change control, and financial risk mitigation across large-scale, mission-critical infrastructure builds (30MW+).

This role requires a strong understanding of data centre MEP systems, procurement strategies, commissioning risk, and contract administration within fast-track, high-value delivery environments.

Responsibilities

Cost Planning & Budget Governance

• Develop and manage project budgets, cost plans, and forecasts.
• Track committed costs, accruals, and variance against baseline.
• Lead cost reporting to senior stakeholders and executive leadership.
• Ensure cost alignment with capacity delivery and operational milestones.

Contractor Commercial Management

• Review and validate contractor valuations and applications for payment.
• Assess variations, change orders, and claims for entitlement and impact.
• Support negotiation and resolution of commercial disputes.
• Monitor contingency usage and forecast final account position.

Risk & Change Control

• Implement structured change management processes.
• Quantify cost exposure associated with schedule delays and scope shifts.
• Partner with schedule and delivery teams to align time-cost risk analysis.
• Maintain transparent reporting of financial risk to leadership.

Procurement & Contract Administration

• Support procurement strategy and tender evaluation.
• Manage contract administration under NEC, FIDIC, or bespoke developer forms.
• Ensure commercial compliance with governance and audit standards.

Qualifications

• 8+ years’ experience in cost management or quantity surveying.
• Proven delivery on hyperscale or large-scale data centre projects (30MW+ preferred).
• Strong understanding of CSA and MEP cost structures.
• Experience in client-side or developer environments.
• Proficiency in cost reporting tools and financial forecasting.
• Familiarity with NEC and/or FIDIC contract frameworks.
• Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills.