VP, Cost Management, Data Centers

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Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.
What this job involves:

As VP, Cost Manager specializing in data centers, you will lead cost management and financial oversight for mission-critical infrastructure projects requiring specialized expertise in complex MEP systems, power distribution, and cooling technologies. You will provide strategic cost planning, detailed estimating, and value engineering throughout all phases of data center development—from feasibility and design through construction and commissioning. Your deep knowledge of data center construction costs, equipment pricing, and market dynamics will be essential to delivering accurate financial guidance for clients investing hundreds of millions in critical infrastructure.

Working as a trusted advisor to clients and project teams, you will ensure cost certainty and financial performance across large-scale data center programs while maintaining the exacting standards required for 24/7 operational environments.

What your day-to-day will look like:

Strategic Cost Planning & Estimating Developing comprehensive cost estimates for data center projects from conceptual design through detailed construction documentation

Preparing feasibility studies, cost models, and budget scenarios for hyperscale facilities, colocation environments, and enterprise data centers

Analyzing costs for mission-critical infrastructure including electrical distribution systems (medium voltage switch gear, transformers, UPS, generators, PDUs), mechanical cooling systems (chillers, cooling towers, CRAC/CRAH units, economizers), and supporting infrastructure

Creating detailed cost breakdowns by system and trade, accounting for data center-specific requirements and long-lead equipment procurement schedules

Benchmarking costs against industry standards, regional market conditions, and historical data center project performance

Value Engineering & Cost Optimization Leading value engineering workshops to identify cost savings opportunities while maintaining Uptime Institute tier requirements and operational resilience

Evaluating alternative design solutions, equipment selections, and construction methodologies to optimize total cost of ownership

Analyzing trade-offs between capital costs, energy efficiency, operational expenditures, and lifecycle performance

Reviewing specifications and technical requirements to identify cost reduction opportunities without compromising critical system redundancy

Providing cost/benefit analysis for emerging technologies including liquid cooling, modular construction, and sustainable energy solutions

Project Cost Control & Financial Management Establishing cost management frameworks, tracking systems, and reporting protocols for complex data center programs

Monitoring project budgets throughout construction, analyzing cost trends, and providing early warning of potential overruns

Reviewing contractor estimates, change orders, and payment applications for accuracy and alignment with contract terms

Conducting detailed cost reconciliations and variance analyses, explaining deviations from baseline budgets

Managing contingency allocation and drawdown, ensuring appropriate reserves for risk mitigation

Coordinating with procurement teams…