Senior Cost Manager

GagaMuller; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

GagaMuller is seeking a Senior Cost Manager to lead the commercial and cost management function for major hyperscale data center projects in the United States. The role involves partnering with directors, managers, design and construction teams, and external vendors to ensure robust cost planning, forecasting, governance, and financial performance across the full lifecycle.

You will mentor junior Cost Managers, drive commercial best practices, and contribute to shaping the business strategy as

Qualifications

• Experience leading cost management for large-scale data center or similar mega-projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost management across hyperscale data center projects from pre-construction through commissioning.
• Develop and maintain budgets, cost plans, estimates, forecasts, and financial reporting.
• Lead procurement, bid management, and vendor negotiations.
• Review quantity take-offs, estimates, cost models, and pricing from contractors.
• Manage change control, cost reporting, and risk/opportunity management.

Skills

Cost management

Budgeting

Forecasting

Procurement

Contract negotiations

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Tools

BIM

Digital construction tools

Project management platforms

Job description

GagaMuller is a Project Management Consultancy with specific divisions focused on providing Project Management, Cost Management, and Digital services to owner organizations within the construction industry.

With a proven track record working alongside global technology leaders and data center developers, we combine local expertise with global standards to ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to the highest quality.

At GagaMuller, we empower people and organisations to build with data.

Role Description:

We are looking for a Senior Cost Manager to join GagaMuller. You will collaborate with experienced, diverse, and passionate teams, fostering a strong social dynamic and collective sense of achievement. This role offers you extensive industry exposure, helping you broaden your skills, open doors to new opportunities, and expand your perspective. We are committed to empowering you, providing real responsibility, and supporting your career growth through mentorship from industry leaders and the tools you need to succeed. You will also contribute to shaping our business strategy as we continue to grow. At GagaMuller, building lasting, trusted relationships with our teams and clients is at the core of what we do.

With a market-leading client base and the opportunity to take the lead on strategic commissions and high-profile projects, this is an exciting time to join the business unit and grow a career with GagaMuller.

The Opportunity:

GagaMuller is supporting the delivery of major hyperscale data centre developments across the United States. As the Senior Cost Manager, you will lead the commercial and cost management function on behalf of the client, ensuring robust cost planning, forecasting, financial governance, and commercial oversight are maintained throughout the full project lifecycle.

Working closely with Project Directors, Project Managers, Design Teams, Construction Teams, Project Controls, Commissioning Teams, consultants, and contractors, you will oversee cost planning, estimating, procurement support, budget management, change control, cost reporting, risk and opportunity management, value engineering, and financial performance from design through commissioning and client handover.

This role offers the opportunity to play a key leadership role in delivering some of North America's largest mission-critical developments while helping to shape commercial best practice across complex, high-value data centre programmes.

Responsibilities

1. Cost Management & Project Delivery

• Lead all cost management activities across major hyperscale data center projects from pre-construction through commissioning and project closeout.
• Develop, manage, and maintain project budgets, cost plans, estimates, forecasts, and financial reporting throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead procurement and bid management activities, including bid package development, bid evaluations, commercial analysis, contract recommendations, and vendor negotiations.
• Review and validate quantity take-offs, estimates, cost models, and pricing prepared by contractors and consultants.
• Lead change management activities, evaluating change orders, assessing cost impacts, negotiating commercial outcomes, and maintaining budget control.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and value engineering initiatives while ensuring project scope, quality, and schedule objectives are maintained.

2. Client & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the client's primary commercial representative, providing strategic cost and financial guidance throughout project delivery.
• Partner closely with Project Directors, Project Managers, Design Managers, Construction Managers, Project Controls, Commissioning teams, design consultants, and general contractors to ensure commercial alignment.
• Lead cost review meetings, budget workshops, commercial discussions, and executive reporting sessions with internal and external stakeholders.
• Build strong relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, and vendors to support successful project delivery.
• Mentor and support junior Cost Managers while promoting commercial best practices across the project team.
• Lead the identification, evaluation, and mitigation of commercial and financial risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide commercial oversight during contract administration, ensuring compliance with contractual requirements and client governance procedures.
• Review contractor payment applications, change orders, claims, and contract modifications, providing commercial recommendations to the client.
• Monitor contractor commercial performance, identify potential cost exposures, and implement mitigation strategies to protect project budgets.
• Support dispute avoidance and commercial issue resolution through proactive contract management and stakeholder engagement.
• Prepare and present monthly cost reports, budget updates, cost forecasts, cash flow projections, contingency reporting, and executive financial dashboards.
• Monitor project expenditures against approved budgets and provide accurate forecasting of final project costs.
• Maintain accurate cost records, procurement documentation, change logs, and commercial reporting systems.
• Lead the negotiation and closeout of contractor and vendor final accounts.
• Provide financial analysis and commercial insights to support strategic decision-making across multiple capital projects.
• Partner with Project Controls, Scheduling, Design, Construction, Procurement, and Commissioning teams to ensure cost management activities are fully integrated into project delivery.
• Utilize BIM, digital construction technologies, and project management platforms to improve cost visibility, reporting accuracy, and project performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across cost management processes, reporting standards, and commercial governance.
• Promote a collaborative, solutions-oriented culture while ensuring projects are delivered safely, on budget, on schedule, and in accordance with client objectives.
• Provide leadership across multiple concurrent projects while maintaining the highest standards of commercial management and client service.