Global Estimation & Project Controls Leader

nLighten HQ BV; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

nLighten HQ BV, a European platform of distributed edge data centers, seeks Head of Global Estimation to lead project controls, cost management, and capital governance across its data centre development portfolio. This senior role bridges Finance, Construction, and Technology and reports to the CFO.

Based in the UK or Europe, you will oversee internal and external cost consultants, drive forecasting, reporting, and governance, and ensure data integrity across civil, structural, mechanical,

Qualifications

• 15+ years in project controls, cost management, or capital programmes.
• Extensive data centre or major infrastructure project experience.
• Leadership of project controls teams across internal and external partners.
• Strong governance, forecasting, and reporting expertise.
• Experience engaging CFO-level stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the project controls function across a portfolio of capital projects.
• Develop and maintain project controls frameworks, governance, and reporting standards.
• Provide independent oversight of costs, budgets, forecasts, risks, and contingency.
• Ensure information supports executive decision-making and board reporting.
• Drive consistent cost and schedule reporting across projects and partners.
• Lead relationships with external cost management and QS consultancies.
• Manage a small team of project controls professionals and coordinate insourced/outsourced work.

Skills

Project controls

Cost management

Quantity surveying

Capital governance

Leadership

Stakeholder management

English fluency

Education

MRICS or equivalent

Degree in Quantity Surveying/Engineering/Finance

Job description

nLighten HQ BV, a European platform of distributed edge data centers, seeks Head of Global Estimation to lead project controls, cost management, and capital governance across its data centre development portfolio. This senior role bridges Finance, Construction, and Technology and reports to the CFO.

Based in the UK or Europe, you will oversee internal and external cost consultants, drive forecasting, reporting, and governance, and ensure data integrity across civil, structural, mechanical,