Commercial Director - MEP

Arcadis; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Arcadis seeks an MEP Commercial Director for a client-side role with a Dublin-based Data Centre Developer. The hybrid position allows permanent or hourly-rate engagement, overseeing cost, procurement, and contract governance across hyperscale facilities.

You will lead MEP commercial activities, manage budgets and risk, drive tendering and contract strategies, and report to senior leadership while mentoring junior QS professionals.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying, Cost Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Chartered status (RICS or equivalent) strongly preferred.
• Minimum 10–15 years of commercial experience.
• Experience with data centres, mission-critical facilities, pharma, semiconductor, or similarly complex MEP-heavy projects.
• Proven track record in client-side or consultancy roles at senior level.

Responsibilities

• Lead all MEP commercial activities from feasibility to commissioning.
• Establish commercial frameworks, cost management processes, and reporting standards.
• Manage budgets, cost plans, cash flow forecasts, and risk registers.
• Lead tendering, bid evaluations, negotiations, and contract awards.
• Draft and manage contract documentation (NEC, FIDIC, JCT, or bespoke forms).
• Provide executive-level reporting on financial performance, risks, and KPIs.
• Mentor junior QS and cost managers; support capability building.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Contract negotiations

Cost control

Cost modelling

Stakeholder management

Mentoring

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying or Cost Engineering

Chartered status (RICS or equivalent)

Tools

NEC contracts

FIDIC contracts

JCT contracts

Job description

Arcadis are seeking an MEP Commercial Director for a client-side role working with a Data Centre Developer in Dublin. The position is a hybrid role that can be offered on a permanent or hourly rate basis.

Position Overview

The MEP Commercial Director will act as the client’s commercial lead for all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) cost and contract matters across hyperscale and colocation data centre projects. This role ensures robust commercial governance, accurate cost control, and strategic procurement while safeguarding the developer’s commercial interests throughout the project lifecycle. The successful candidate will possess deep MEP cost expertise, strong commercial leadership, and direct experience delivering large-scale mission-critical or technical infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities

1. Commercial Management & Governance

• Lead all MEP commercial activities from feasibility to commissioning.
• Establish commercial frameworks, cost management processes, and reporting standards aligned with organizational requirements.
• Manage budgets, cost plans, cash flow forecasts, and risk registers for MEP packages.
• Ensure robust change control processes, including validation of variations, claims assessments, and value engineering proposals.
• Provide executive-level reporting on financial performance, risks, and commercial KPIs.
• Develop procurement strategies for major MEP equipment and trade packages (HV/LV systems, UPS, cooling systems, BMS/EMS, fire suppression, etc.).
• Lead tendering activities, bid evaluations, commercial negotiations, and contract award recommendations.
• Draft and manage contract documentation (e.g., NEC, FIDIC, JCT, or bespoke forms).
• Drive procurement efficiencies and global framework agreements for repeatable components.
• Prepare and maintain detailed cost models for data center MEP systems across multiple regions.
• Benchmark costs against internal databases, industry standards, and market intelligence.
• Provide early-stage cost input for capacity planning, design options, and site acquisition evaluations.
• Validate consultant and contractor cost plans for accuracy and completeness.

4. Construction Phase Controls

• Oversee monthly valuations, payment recommendations, cost updates, and commercial audits.
• Monitor contractor performance, productivity, and contractual compliance.
• Manage MEP claims, disputes, and commercial risks in collaboration with legal teams.
• Support design, engineering, and PM teams in achieving on-budget delivery.

5. Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary commercial interface between the developer and external consultants, contractors, and suppliers.
• Provide commercial guidance to internal teams including development, engineering, operations, and finance.
• Present commercial insights to senior leadership and investment committees.
• Champion continuous improvement, standardization, and cost-efficiency initiatives across the data center portfolio.
• Mentor junior QS and cost managers; support resource planning and capability building.
• Contribute to corporate commercial strategy and governance improvements.
• Foster a culture of integrity, transparency, and proactive risk management.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying, Cost Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Chartered status (RICS or equivalent) strongly preferred.
• Minimum 10–15 years commercial experience, including:
• Experience with data centres, mission-critical facilities, pharma, semiconductor, or similarly complex MEP-heavy projects.
• Proven track record in client-side or consultancy roles at senior level.
• Strong technical knowledge of data centre MEP systems and major equipment procurement.
• Expertise in contract management (NEC, FIDIC, JCT, or similar).
• Demonstrated experience resolving claims, disputes, and high-value commercial negotiations.
• Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills.

What This Role Offers

• The opportunity to shape the commercial strategy of one of the fastest-growing asset classes.
• High visibility and influence across large-scale capital programs.
• Career progression toward Director-level commercial leadership.
• Collaboration with leading engineers, developers, and construction partners globally