Cost Manager - Data Centers

Actalent; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 66,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

401(k)

PTO (paid time off)

8 paid holidays

Job summary

Actalent in Chicago, IL is seeking a Senior Cost Manager (Data Center Construction) to provide cost consulting, quantity surveying, and estimating across a large-scale data center program.

You will develop budgets, benchmark costs, review bids, and lead value engineering while maintaining financial controls and clear reporting to stakeholders.

This contract-to-hire on-site role offers long-term opportunities, comprehensive benefits, and the chance to influence critical data center projects.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in cost management, estimating, or quantity surveying.
• Experience on large-scale data center/construction projects.
• Ability to evaluate change orders and contracts.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and forecasts.

Responsibilities

• Develop cost estimates for data center and commercial projects.
• Prepare budgets, cost plans, and benchmarking analyses.
• Monitor cost performance and variances across projects.
• Lead value engineering and cost optimization efforts.
• Support procurement, bids, and contractor selection.
• Prepare regular cost reports and executive updates.

Skills

Cost management

Estimating

Quantity surveying

Contract negotiation

Budgeting

Cost forecasting

Excel modeling

Education

MRICS certification

AssocRICS certification

CCP/ CEP / CPE

Tools

On Screen Takeoff

Job description

Job Title: Senior Cost Manager (Data Center Construction)

Job Description

This role serves as a Data Center Cost Consultant, Quantity Surveyor, and Estimator supporting a large-scale data center construction program in the greater Chicago area. You will provide continuous cost and commercial management support throughout the full project lifecycle, partnering closely with clients, design teams, contractors, and key stakeholders. The position focuses on cost planning, benchmarking, estimate validation, CAPEX forecasting, design-stage cost management, and commercial oversight for mission-critical facilities. This is a salaried role that promotes work-life balance and offers a long-term opportunity to support multiple data center sites while ensuring financial objectives are achieved on complex capital projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual, feasibility, and order-of-magnitude cost estimates for large-scale data center and commercial construction projects.
• Prepare detailed project budgets, cost plans, and benchmarking analyses to support investment decisions and project approvals.
• Evaluate key cost drivers such as power capacity, redundancy requirements, cooling systems, and overall infrastructure scope.
• Support early-stage project planning by providing cost insights that inform design options and funding strategies.
• Establish and maintain project budgets, forecasts, and cost baselines across multiple phases of design and construction.
• Monitor cost performance throughout the project lifecycle and identify variances against budgets and forecasts.
• Review contractor pricing, bids, change orders, and payment applications to ensure accuracy, fairness, and compliance with contracts.
• Lead value engineering and cost optimization efforts to identify savings opportunities without compromising project quality or performance.
• Identify and assess cost risks, opportunities, and potential budget impacts, and communicate these clearly to stakeholders.
• Support procurement strategy by contributing to bid packages, evaluating bids, and assisting with contractor selection.
• Review subcontractor and vendor proposals to confirm scope coverage, pricing accuracy, and alignment with project requirements.
• Assist with contract administration and commercial negotiations, ensuring that commercial terms support project objectives.
• Prepare regular cost reports, financial forecasts, and executive-level updates that clearly summarize project financial status.
• Support funding approvals, cash flow forecasting, and contingency planning to maintain financial control throughout the project.
• Analyze project risks, escalation impacts, and budget variances, and recommend corrective actions where needed.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients and project stakeholders on all cost and commercial matters.
• Lead cost management activities across assigned projects, coordinating closely with project management and design teams.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with contractors, consultants, and project team members to support collaborative project delivery.
• Mentor and support junior cost managers, estimators, and quantity surveyors, sharing best practices and technical knowledge.
• Contribute to project management, bidding, construction management, and commercial construction activities as they relate to cost control and financial performance.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in cost management, estimating, quantity surveying, or construction commercial management.
• Strong understanding of construction estimating methodologies, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control processes.
• Experience supporting projects through multiple phases of design and construction, from early planning through delivery.
• Proven ability to evaluate change orders, contracts, and project financial impacts in a construction environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex cost data and provide clear recommendations.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present cost information and financial updates to clients and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining relationships with clients, contractors, and project teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Hands-on experience with project budgets, estimating, forecasting, and commercial management throughout the project lifecycle.
• Advanced skill level with Microsoft Excel for cost analysis, reporting, and financial modeling.
• Intermediate knowledge of Windows, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook.
• Experience as an estimator or cost consultant in construction, including involvement in bidding and commercial construction projects.
• Background in project management, construction management, and quantity surveying related to capital construction programs.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting mission-critical or data center construction projects is preferred.
• Professional certifications such as MRICS, AssocRICS, CCP, CEP, CPE, or similar are highly regarded.
• Knowledge of construction contracts, procurement processes, and various project delivery methods.
• Experience with value engineering, lifecycle costing, and project cost modeling for complex facilities.
• Background in client-facing consulting or owners representative environments, acting as a trusted advisor.
• Knowledge of On Screen Takeoff or similar estimating software is a plus.
• Interest in ongoing professional development, including participation in structured review and feedback programs.
• Ability to leverage online learning platforms and continuing education resources to stay current with industry best practices.

Work Environment

You will work on site at the end clients data center locations in the greater Chicago area as part of an owners representative consulting environment. The position is a salaried role based on a standard 40-hour workweek and promotes a healthy work-life balance. You will operate within a professional project controls and construction consulting setting, collaborating closely with client teams, design professionals, and contractors. The role involves frequent use of Microsoft Excel, Windows-based applications, and other project control tools, with potential use of On Screen Takeoff for estimating. The opportunity is long term, with the potential to support multiple data center sites over time. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off (80 hours of PTO accrued) and 8 paid holidays during the contract duration, along with access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) plan, an ongoing education platform, a discount program, and a structured 360-degree review program. Dress expectations align with a professional consulting environment appropriate for on-site client work.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $48.07 - $86.54/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Chicago,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 20, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.