Project Controls Director

nLighten is a European platform of distributed edge data centers, designed to meet the growing demand for AI, 5G, and hybrid cloud deployments. As a rapidly expanding provider, we offer scalable colocation hubs and best-in-class energy solutions across Europe. Our innovative and sustainable approach to digital infrastructure ensures reliability, efficiency, and future-ready solutions for our clients. nLighten’s current footprint is 34 data centers in 7 European countries, with the ambition to grow to 100 sites during the next 3-4 years.

We are seeking a Project Controls Director to lead cost management, commercial oversight, and financial governance across nLighten’s expanding European construction portfolio. This is a strategic and hands‑on leadership role responsible for ensuring strong cost control throughout the lifecycle of data center development projects, from early‑stage planning and procurement through construction delivery and project close‑out.

You will partner closely with Construction, Finance, Procurement, and senior leadership teams to provide accurate forecasting, commercial insight, and clear reporting in a fast‑scaling international environment.

The successful candidate will report direct to the group CFO and lead a team of cost engineers based in the Netherlands. For the right candidate there is flexibility on which of nLighten’s main offices can be their base but travel to nLighten’s development sites, and to be present for line reports, is essential.

• Lead project budgeting, forecasting, and cost planning across all project phases
• Review and oversee cost plans, tender evaluations, and contractor pricing submissions
• Benchmark project costs across the portfolio and support investment case preparation
• Advise stakeholders on cost impacts of design development and project changes

• Monitor project spend, valuations, variations, contractor claims, and contingency usage
• Maintain accurate forecasts and provide regular reporting on commitments, risks, and forecast outturn
• Identify and communicate potential cost overruns and commercial risks early
• Support final account settlement and post-project cost analysis

• Ensure robust commercial and financial controls across projects
• Support procurement, contract administration, and capitalisation processes
• Act as a key point of contact for construction cost reporting and commercial insight
• Build strong relationships across Finance, Procurement, Construction, and Executive Leadership teams
• Support the development of the growing Project Controls function

• Degree-qualified Quantity Surveyor or equivalent commercial professional qualification
• Chartered status (MRICS or equivalent) strongly preferred
• 10+ years of experience in cost management, commercial management, project controls, or quantity surveying within large‑scale construction or infrastructure environments
• Experience of, or able to demonstrate capability, to lead a team and development line reports
• Experience with in data center, mission‑critical, construction, engineering, or real estate development sectors is highly preferred
• Strong understanding of project financial controls, forecasting, contract administration, and commercial governance
• Proven experience managing complex, multi‑site, or international construction projects
• Strong analytical, reporting, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to communicate complex information about project status clearly and succinctly to a range of stakeholders of differing seniority and varying levels of construction knowledge
• Comfortable operating in both strategic and hands‑on capacities within a fast‑growing business
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly across European project sites
• Fluent in English; additional European languages are advantageous

• Join a fast‑growing company shaping the future of digital infrastructure in Europe
• Take on a high‑impact leadership role across major European construction projects
• Help build and shape a growing Project Controls function
• Work in a dynamic international…