Overview In this role you will lead cost management across a major data center portfolio in Northern Virginia, acting as the primary client interface. You will collaborate with design teams and contractors, driving cost plans, VE sessions, and value-based decisions. You will manage variances, reporting, and post-contract closeouts to enable project delivery within budget. Your work supports mission-critical facilities and large multi-phase programs. This is a client-facing opportunity to shape cost strategy in a global professional services firm.
Responsibilities- Estimate and negotiate change orders across the construction lifecycle
- Develop and present final cost plans
- Review cost estimates with design teams and general contractors
- Reconcile changes and validate contractor data
- Coordinate with contractors and stakeholders on cost estimate updates
- Prepare written reports and executive summaries on submissions
- Aggregate cost data from suppliers, subcontractors, and design teams
- Inform engineering/design decisions with cost impact
- Manage cost checks, valuations, and reporting on large projects
- Oversee cost control, contingency and commitment tracking
- Lead value engineering sessions and support design optioneering
- Review contractor pricing and lead negotiations for fair value
- Manage post-contract cost variances and change control
- Produce monthly cost reports and ensure timely financial reporting
- Support final account negotiations and closeout
- Maintain cost benchmarks and historical data
- Mentor junior team members and promote high performance
- Ensure consistent use of internal systems and delivery methodologies
- SOX control responsibilities as applicable
Key requirements- 6-7 years in cost management, quantity surveying, or commercial management on large-scale construction
- Experience supporting mission-critical or data center projects preferred
- Proven ability to manage costs across complex, multi-phase programs
- Strong knowledge of cost control, change management, and contract administration
- Excellent communication and client-facing skills
- Ability to lead meetings, influence stakeholders, and drive commercial outcomes
- Proficiency in cost management systems and Microsoft Office Suite
- Professional certifications such as MRICS, PMP, CCP, or similar are a plus
- strong communication
- client-facing excellence
- leadership and mentoring
- cost management systems
- Microsoft Office Suite
- cost planning and control
