Cost Manager

OVERWATCH; Barstow (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Overwatch Mission Critical is seeking an experienced Cost Manager to provide independent cost management for a new data center program. The role involves tracking budgets, validating GC pay apps, and leading change orders to keep project costs in line with forecasts.

The candidate will bring strong QS/cost engineering expertise and advanced Excel skills to proactively surface budget risks across a large-scale, MEP-heavy construction environment.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of cost management on commercial, industrial, or mission-critical projects.
• Experience budgeting >$100M and cost control processes.
• Proficiency with Procore, Sage or PRISM.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel for cost modeling and reporting.
• Understanding of GMP, lump sum, and unit-price contracts.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the owner's independent project cost reports (PCR).
• Review GC pay applications against schedule of values and materials.
• Manage the change order log and evaluate proposals for scope and price.
• Conduct cost risk analysis and maintain contingency tracking.
• Coordinate with scheduling to align cost forecasts with progress.
• Track owner-direct vendor and equipment costs alongside GC costs.

Skills

Cost management

Quantity surveying

Cost engineering

Excel modeling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management

Tools

Procore

Sage

PRISM

Job description

About Overwatch Mission Critical

Overwatch is a service-disabled Veteran-owned small business (SDVOB) certified through the National Veterans Business Development Council (NVBDC), offering construction professional services, talent acquisition, and general contractor services for the mission-critical infrastructure industry. Our mission is the construction and management of state-of-the-art data centers with the precision and reliability this industry demands. From high-end engineers to seasoned professionals, we deploy the people you need to get your data center off the ground. At Overwatch, it’s more than a job. It’s a purpose.

Overview

We are seeking an experienced
Cost Manager to provide independent cost management and financial oversight for a new data center construction program. This individual will serve on behalf of the owner to track project costs, validate GC pay applications, manage the change order process, and deliver accurate budget forecasts to the owner’s leadership team throughout the project lifecycle.

The successful candidate will bring strong quantity surveying or cost engineering expertise, experience with large-scale MEP-heavy construction, and the analytical capability to proactively surface budget risks before they become financial exposures.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the owner’s independent project cost report (PCR), tracking budget, commitments, expenditures, and projected final cost.
• Review and validate GC monthly pay applications against schedule of values, work-in-place, and stored materials; recommend approval or withholding to the owner’s PM.
• Manage the change order log; independently evaluate GC change proposals for scope, pricing, and schedule impact validity.
• Conduct cost risk analysis and maintain a project contingency tracker with drawdown history and remaining exposure.
• Coordinate with the Scheduler (DC-SCH-003) to align cost forecasts with schedule progress and milestone-based payment structures.
• Track owner-direct vendor and equipment costs (transformers, switchgear, generators, UPS, cooling equipment) alongside GC contract costs.
• Prepare monthly cost reports and executive budget summaries for the owner’s program and finance teams.
• Support procurement activities including bid review, cost comparison matrices, and contract award recommendations.
• Assist in claim prevention and documentation; maintain contemporaneous cost records to support potential dispute resolution.
• Monitor subcontractor payment compliance (including conditional/unconditional lien waivers) in coordination with the legal and finance teams.

Required Qualifications

• 6+ years of cost management, quantity surveying, or cost engineering experience on commercial, industrial, or mission-critical construction projects.
• Experience managing construction budgets in excess of $100M.
• Proficiency in cost management platforms (e.g., Procore, Sage, PRISM, or equivalent).
• Strong analytical skills; advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for cost modeling and reporting.
• Thorough understanding of construction contract types (GMP, lump sum, unit price) and change management processes.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, and schedules for cost validation purposes.

Nice to Have Qualifications

• Experience with data center or mission-critical facility construction, including MEP-intensive and long-lead equipment procurement.
• CCE (Certified Cost Engineer) or CVS certification from AACE International.
• Familiarity with earned value management (EVM) and cost/schedule integration.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or Finance.

Data Center Years Experience Needed

• 1-3 Years

Certifications Required

• Procore – pay applications, change orders, cost tracking, and document management.
• Microsoft Excel – cost models, PCR, and budget dashboards.
• Sage / PRISM / Ecosys (or equivalent) – cost management platform (experience with at least one required).

Driver’s License Requirement

For roles that require on-site presence or travel between work locations as an essential function of the position, candidates must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license appropriate for the role and be eligible to operate a motor vehicle in accordance with applicable laws.

Communication Skills

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a professional work environment, including preparing written reports and documentation, conveying information clearly to team members, clients, and stakeholders, and responding appropriately to verbal and written communications related to job duties.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

This position operates primarily in an active data center construction environment, encompassing both indoor and outdoor work settings. The role requires the physical ability to perform essential job functions safely and effectively in a dynamic environment that includes ongoing construction activity and evolving site conditions.

The work environment includes areas and temporary structures owned, leased, or controlled by third parties over which Overwatch may have limited or no control. Because the project remains under construction, certain areas of the site — including access routes, staging zones, and temporary structures — may not yet be fully ADA-compliant until construction is complete or those third-party areas are finalized.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to walk, stand, stoop, twist, bend, and climb stairs or ladders for extended periods while navigating uneven, unpaved, or obstructed terrain.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Must be able to drive between job sites and access all areas of an active construction zone, including raised platforms, scaffolding, and confined spaces.
• Must be able to tolerate exposure to outdoor weather conditions, dust, and construction-related noise, vibrations, and odors.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with contractors, engineers, and site personnel, and maintain situational awareness in high-activity environments.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety vests, hearing protection, and steel-toe boots, is required.
• Must have sufficient visual acuity to read drawings, specifications, and safety signage, and to observe site activity.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in and around active construction areas, which may include unfinished buildings, temporary field offices, staging areas, and partially completed infrastructure. These locations may contain uneven surfaces, limited accessibility, and other conditions typical of construction projects prior to final completion. Overwatch does not control and cannot modify accessibility conditions within areas, facilities, or temporary structures owned or managed by third parties.

Reasonable Accommodation

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position, provided such accommodations do not create safety hazards, impede essential mobility within active work zones, or require modification of facilities not owned or controlled by Overwatch.

Benefits

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid time off. Relocation assistance is available to support candidates transitioning to the location.

OVERWATCH is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. OVERWATCH considers candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.