Assistant Costing Manager

DayOne; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 78,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

DayOne seeks an Assistant Cost Manager to support budgeting, cost control, and contract administration for data center projects in Malaysia. The role emphasizes accuracy, financial discipline, and collaboration with global teams to maintain profitability throughout the project lifecycle.

You will assist in developing cost estimates, tracking expenditures, and communicating variances. The ideal candidate brings strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and experience with ERP and cost

Qualifications

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Cost Engineering, Construction Management, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in cost control, quantity surveying, or project control.
• Experience with Malaysia or APAC projects and cost software/tools.

Responsibilities

• Support cost estimation and budgeting for data center construction projects.
• Monitor project costs, analyze variances, and report on cost performance.
• Assist in contract administration and change order cost impacts.
• Prepare cost reports, forecasts, and cash flow projections.
• Identify cost saving opportunities and value engineering ideas.

Skills

Cost control

Budgeting

Quantity surveying

Contract administration

Financial analysis

ERP systems SAP

Excel

Cost estimation

Project cost reporting

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying/Cost Engineering/Construction Management/Mechanical Engineering/Electrical Engineering

Tools

CostX

RSMeans

Primavera

Excel

SAP

Job description

Join DayOne – Shaping the Future of Data Infrastructure DayOne is a global leader in the development and operation of high-performance data centers. As one of the fastest-growing companies in the industry, we’ve built a robust presence across Asia and Europe — and we’re just getting started. As we expand into new international markets, we’re looking for talented, driven individuals to join us on this exciting journey. This is more than a job — it’s an opportunity to be a key contributor to our dynamic team and help shape the future of global data infrastructure. If you're passionate about innovation, technology, and growth, we invite you to be part of DayOne’s next chapter.

Job Summary: We are seeking an Assistant Cost Manager to support the Senior Cost Manager in budgeting, cost control and contract administration for data center construction projects in Malaysia. This supporting role requires strong analytical skills, attention to details and the ability to work effectively in a dynamic, global environment. The role will assist in maintaining financial discipline throughout the project life cycle, minimizing the risk of budget overruns, enhancing overall project profitability and supporting successful project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Cost Estimation and Budgeting: Assist in the development of accurate cost estimates for Data Center construction projects, considering factors such as materials, labour, equipment, subcontractor costs, and overhead expenses. Review quantity take-offs from project plans and specifications to determine quantities of materials required for construction activities. Collaborate with project stakeholders including Product, Design, Construction, Procurement teams to review project plans, specifications, and scopes of work to ensure comprehensive cost coverage. Support the development of project budgets based on cost estimates, ensuring alignment with client requirements, project timelines, and profit margins. Support the monitoring of project budgets throughout the lifecycle of projects, identifying and escalating variances and deviations from planned costs.
• Cost Analysis and Control: Support in establishing and maintaining cost standards/index for materials, labour, and overhead expenses. Monitor pricing performance and conduct pricing reviews to ensure alignment with overall business goals and financial objectives. Support the implementation of robust cost control measures for projects assigned to accurately track and manage project costs effectively without compromising quality and operational efficiency. Assist in monitoring and controlling project costs throughout the construction lifecycle, tracking expenses, analysing variations, and supporting appropriate measures to keep costs within approved budgets. Conduct regular cost variance analysis to identify areas of cost inefficiencies and opportunities for cost optimization to improve project profitability. Provide supporting insights and recommendations to project teams on cost-related matters, including cost trends, cost drivers, and cost implications of project decisions. Support the identification of opportunities for value engineering and cost-saving initiatives, proposing alternative construction methods or materials without compromising project quality. Assess the impact of design changes and contract variations on project costs, preparing change orders and cost estimates accordingly. Assist in preparing regular cost reports, including budget forecasts, cost variances, and cash flow projections, providing accurate and timely financial information to project stakeholders. Support the identification of potential cost risks and assist in developing mitigation strategies to minimize financial impacts on the project. Conduct periodic cost audits to ensure compliance with established cost control procedures, contract terms, and industry regulations.
• Financial Planning and Forecasting: Support the accuracy and completeness of financial data related to construction projects, including revenue recognition, cost accruals, and project profitability. Collaborate with finance teams to integrate project cost data into financial reporting systems and models. Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to costing and profitability. Support the preparation of insights into project financial performance, highlighting key drivers, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Contract Administration: Assist in monitoring contract performance to ensure compliance with terms and conditions of contract. Coordinate with project stakeholders to resolve contract related issues. Support the Senior Cost Manager in reviewing and interpreting construction contract terms. Assist in the development and implementation of contract administration related procedures and policies. Assist in preparing information and documentation for contractual claims, disputes and negotiations related to contract changes or issues. Liaise with legal counsel to ensure all contractual matters are addressed and resolved effectively.
• Compliance and Continuous Improvement: Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance costing accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness. Support in identifying opportunities to streamline processes, automate tasks, and leverage technology solutions to optimize costing practices. Stay abreast of industry best practices, regulatory requirements, and emerging trends in cost accounting and pricing. Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and company policies related to project costing, accounting practices, financial reporting and contract administration.

Requirements

• Degree in Quantity Surveying/Cost Engineering/Construction Management/Mechanical Engineering/Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in cost control, quantity surveying, or project control within the industrial, construction or data center sector.
• Experience with Malaysia, international or APAC projects.
• Strong knowledge of cost control principles, techniques, and methodologies, with a proven track record of managing construction/industrial project costs effectively.
• Proficiency in reviewing quantity takeoffs, preparing detailed cost estimates, and conducting cost analysis.
• Solid understanding of construction materials, methods, and processes, with the ability to interpret project plans and specifications accurately.
• Experience working with industry-standard cost estimating software and tools (e.g., CostX, RSMeans, Primavera, Excel) to perform accurate cost calculations and produce detailed reports.
• Excellent financial analysis skills, including the ability to interpret financial data, identify trends, and provide insights for decision-making.
• Meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy in cost calculations, reports, and documentation.
• Effective teamwork and interpersonal skills to collaborate within Malaysia and international project structures.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a face-paced environment.
• Experience in SAP or similar ERP solutions is advantageous.
• Professional certification (e.g., RICS) is a plus.

DayOne is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

DayOne is a data center pioneer that develops and operates next-gen digital infrastructure for industry leaders who demand reliable, cost-effective and quickly scalable solutions. Our cutting-edge facilities empower hyperscalers and large enterprises to achieve rapid deployment and enhance connectivity, driving transformative engagement and innovation as we shape the future of industries. DayOne's data centers are located across key markets, including Singapore, Johor (Malaysia), Batam (Indonesia), Greater Bangkok, Hong Kong SAR, Tokyo, and beyond. Headquartered in Singapore, DayOne’s leadership team draws on over two decades of industry experience and a track record of building Asia's largest data center business. With DayOne, they have created the SIJORI (Singapore, Johor, and Riau Islands) market as a global data center hub. As demand for strategically located and customized data centers rises, DayOne's entrepreneurial spirit, customer-first strategy, deep local partnerships, and agile executional capabilities uniquely position us to power the growth ambitions of leading hyperscalers and large enterprises around the world.

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