Cost & Commercial Lead - Data Centres

Accenture Middle East; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Accenture Middle East is seeking a senior leader to oversee all commercial aspects of large-scale Data Centre programmes in Saudi Arabia. You will ensure governance, cost control, contract management and risk oversight across complex projects, acting as a trusted advisor to clients and senior stakeholders.

The role requires extensive Data Centre experience within PMC, construction consultancy, or client-side environments, with a strong background in the Middle East and major capital projects

Qualifications

• Extensive Data Centre experience across hyperscale, co‑location, or mission‑critical facilities.
• Experience in commercial management within PMC, construction consultancy, or client‑side environments.
• Degree qualification in a related discipline with professional memberships highly desirable.
• Previous Middle East project experience is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial management of large Data Centre programmes across the full project lifecycle.
• Provide strategic commercial guidance to clients and senior stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain robust commercial governance and reporting structures.
• Oversee cost management, forecasting, budgeting and financial reporting.
• Manage contract administration, change management, claims and dispute avoidance.
• Drive value engineering and cost optimisation while maintaining objectives.
• Monitor project performance against 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 with project management, planning, controls and technical teams for integrated delivery.
• Provide leadership and development support to commercial and cost management teams.
• Promote excellence, accountability and continuous improvement across project teams.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Cost management

Contract administration

Forecasting

Risk management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying / Construction Management

Professional membership of RICS/CIOB or equivalent

Job description

About Accenture

Accenture helps the world’s leading enterprises reinvent by building their digital core and unleashing the power of AI to create value at speed for organizations across industries. Our strategy is to be the reinvention partner of choice for our clients and lead in the safe, widespread adoption of AI, and to be the most client-focused, AI-enabled, great place to work in the world. We bring together the talent of our approximately 786,000 people with proprietary assets and platforms, deep process and industry expertise, and leading ecosystem relationships to deliver end-to-end solutions and measurable outcomes at scale. Through our Reinvention Services, we offer broad expertise across Cybersecurity, Digital Core, Finance, Industry and Enterprise, Song, Supply Chain and Engineering, and Talent, with advanced capabilities in AI and Data, Industry and Process, and Technology. We serve approximately 9,000 clients and generated approximately $70 billion in FY25 revenue. Visit us ataccenture.com.

About the role

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.

• Lead the commercial management of major Data Centre programmes across.
• 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.
• Experience in commercial management, quantity surveying, or commercial leadership roles.
• Extensive Data Centre experience, ideally supporting hyperscale, co-location, or mission-critical facilities.
• Strong background within a Project Management Consultancy (PMC), construction consultancy, or client-side environment.
• Experience managing large-scale capital projects valued in excess of $500m.
• Strong understanding of major forms of contract and commercial frameworks.
• Proven experience leading commercial teams across complex construction programmes.
• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Professional membership of RICS, CIOB, or equivalent is highly desirable.
• Previous Middle East project experience is highly desirable

Why join us

• We offer a transparent, fast paced career progression, with a focus on your strengths and continuous coaching from senior colleagues
• You will benefit from working alongside Accenture experts who are solving some of the biggest industry challenges with innovative thinking and pioneering tools
• Flexible work arrangements and a range of benefits including competitive rewards
• You will have access to state-of-the-art technology that will give you the opportunity to deepen your existing skills even as you help create the latest business trends
• You will also have opportunities to make a difference to the communities in which we work and live