
Cost Manager – Data Center Construction
- Racine, WI
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Support the full lifecycle of cost management activities on data center construction projects, from early-stage budgeting through final account closeout.
- Assist in the preparation of detailed cost plans, estimates, and budgets aligned with project scope and client expectations.
- Monitor and manage project costs, including tracking actuals vs. forecasts, identifying variances, and recommending corrective actions.
- Review and negotiate change orders, ensuring proper documentation, cost validation, and alignment with contractual terms.
- Collaborate with design consultants, engineers, and contractors to validate cost estimates and ensure consistency with design intent and construction feasibility.
- Prepare and present regular cost reports, forecasts, and executive summaries to internal stakeholders and clients.
- Track and manage contingency usage, commitments, and cost impacts across multiple packages or phases.
- Participate in procurement activities, including bid analysis, scope reviews, and contractor negotiations.
- Maintain and update benchmarking data, historical cost records, and lessons learned to support future project planning.
- Contribute to value engineering and design optimization exercises to identify cost-saving opportunities.
- Ensure compliance with internal financial systems, client-specific requirements, and applicable regulatory controls.
- Support the development and improvement of internal cost management tools, templates, and processes.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, contractors, vendors, and internal project teams.
- SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.
- Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field.
- 3–6 years of relevant experience in cost-focused project controls or cost management.
- Experience with large-scale, mission-critical construction projects (e.g., data centers, high-tech, industrial).
- Construction consultancy experience is preferred.
- Strong background in cost management, budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control systems.
- Experience with procurement strategies and commercial management of contractor/vendor contracts.
- RICS accreditation or working toward it is advantageous.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and negotiation skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
- Proficiency in industry-standard tools and software for cost management.