Senior Cost Manager (Data Centre Construction)

Horizontal Talent; Iskandar Puteri; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Horizontal Talent in Iskandar Puteri, Malaysia, seeks an experienced Senior / Cost Manager to oversee budgeting, cost control, financial planning and contract administration for large-scale data centre construction projects. You will ensure projects stay within budget while optimizing cost efficiency across the project lifecycle.

You will work closely with Design, Construction, Procurement and Finance teams, prepare regular financial reports, review cost variances, evaluate design changes for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Cost Engineering, Construction Management, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in Cost Management, QS, Cost Control or Project Controls in construction/data centre projects.
• Strong English and Chinese communication skills for interactions with teams, contractors and suppliers.
• Proficiency in construction costing, budgeting and financial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage project cost estimates and budgets.
• Review quantity take-offs and monitor construction costs.
• Track project spending, identify cost variances and recommend corrective actions.
• Develop and implement cost control strategies to improve profitability.
• Conduct cost analysis, forecasting, and cash flow reporting.
• Evaluate design changes and assess cost impacts.
• Identify value engineering and cost-saving opportunities.
• Support contract administration, including variations, claims, and compliance.
• Collaborate with Design, Construction, Procurement and Finance teams to ensure effective delivery.
• Prepare regular financial and cost reports for stakeholders.
• Ensure adherence to company policies and industry standards.

Skills

Budgeting

Cost control

Stakeholder mgmt

English & Chinese

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

CostX

Primavera

RSMeans

SAP

Job description

Location: Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia

About Horizontal

Established since 2003 in the US, Horizontal solves complex challenges across two distinct businesses: Horizontal Digital and Horizontal Talent. We are consistently recognized as a top workplace and one of the fastest-growing private companies. Horizontal Talent specializes in staffing across IT, Digital & Creative, and Business & Strategy markets, with global offices in the US, UAE, India, Malaysia, and Australia.

About The Role

We are looking for an experienced Senior / Cost Manager to oversee budgeting, cost control, financial planning, and contract administration for large-scale data centre construction projects. You will play a key role in ensuring projects are delivered within budget while maintaining cost efficiency throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage project cost estimates and budgets.
• Review quantity take-offs and monitor construction costs.
• Track project spending, identify cost variances, and recommend corrective actions.
• Develop and implement cost control strategies to improve project profitability.
• Conduct cost analysis, forecasting, and cash flow reporting.
• Evaluate design changes and assess cost impacts.
• Identify value engineering and cost-saving opportunities.
• Support contract administration, including variations, claims, and contract compliance.
• Work closely with Design, Construction, Procurement, and Finance teams to ensure effective project delivery.
• Prepare regular financial and cost reports for project stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and industry standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Quantity Surveying, Cost Engineering, Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Cost Control, or Project Controls within construction, industrial, or data centre projects.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and Chinese to effectively collaborate with project teams, contractors and suppliers.
• Strong knowledge of construction costing, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Experience preparing detailed cost estimates and reviewing quantity take-offs.
• Good understanding of construction contracts and contract administration.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and cost management tools such as CostX, Primavera, RSMeans, or similar software.
• Experience with SAP or other ERP systems is an advantage.
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience supporting regional or international projects is preferred.
• Professional certifications (e.g., RICS) will be an added advantage.