Cost & Commercial Lead - Data Centres

This is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing all commercial aspects of large-scale Data Centre programmes from pre-construction through to project completion. 

Working as part of an integrated team, you will ensure robust commercial governance, contract administration, cost management, change control, and risk management across complex, fast-paced projects. You will act as a trusted advisor to clients, providing strategic commercial guidance while ensuring programme objectives are achieved. 

The successful candidate will bring extensive Data Centre experience gained within a Project Management Consultancy, construction consultancy, or client-side environment and possess a deep understanding of commercial management within large capital construction programmes.

• Provide strategic commercial advice to clients and senior stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.  

• Establish and maintain effective commercial governance and reporting structures.  

• Oversee cost management, forecasting, budgeting, and financial reporting activities.  

• Manage contract administration, change management, claims, and dispute avoidance processes.  

• Drive value engineering and cost optimisation initiatives whilst maintaining programme objectives.  

• Monitor project performance against approved budgets and commercial KPIs.  

• Lead commercial risk identification, mitigation, and management strategies.  

• Review procurement strategies and support contract negotiations with key suppliers and contractors.  

• Collaborate closely with project management, planning, project controls, and technical teams to ensure integrated programme delivery.  

• Provide leadership, mentoring, and development support to commercial and cost management teams.  

• Ensure commercial processes are aligned with client requirements and industry best practice.  

• Promote a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement across project teams.