Data Center Development Cost Management

Oracle Oracle · Enterprise · NM

This role focuses on cost management and project controls for large-scale construction programs, specifically data centers. While it involves leveraging AI and advanced analytics to improve performance metrics like variance detection and risk indicators, the core function is not building AI models but rather applying them to enhance construction cost management processes. The role emphasizes cost strategy, governance, estimating, budgeting, forecasting, change management, and procurement, with a requirement for explainable and auditable AI outputs.

What you'd actually do

  1. Own the cost management strategy across one or more gigascale projects/programs from early design through closeout.
  2. Build cost governance: WBS/CBS structures, cost codes, control accounts, reporting cadence, and executive dashboards.
  3. Establish standards for estimating, forecasting, contingency management, and cost risk practices across the program.
  4. Provide clear cost narratives to leadership: variances, drivers, corrective actions, and forward-looking risk.
  5. Lead concept-to-definitive estimating aligned to design maturity (e.g., ROM, schematic, DD, CD).

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience).
  • 12+ years progressive experience in cost management/cost controls for large capital projects (multi-site or campus-scale preferred).
  • Demonstrated expertise in estimating, forecasting, change control, and contract/commercial evaluation.
  • Strong working knowledge of construction means and methods, cost drivers, productivity, and sequencing.
  • Advanced Excel skills; proficiency with cost systems and project controls tools (e.g., EcoSys, Unifier, Primavera P6, MS Project, SAP/Oracle ERP, or similar).
  • Ability to build executive-ready reporting and drive disciplined monthly performance routines.

Nice to have

  • Experience on hyperscale/gigascale programs (data centers, semiconductor fabs, EV/battery plants, large infrastructure, energy).
  • Experience integrating cost and schedule data (EVMS concepts, production/earned value methods).
  • Certifications: CCP (AACE), MRICS, PMP, or equivalent.
  • Experience designing cost data models, governance standards, and automated reporting pipelines.

What the JD emphasized

  • end-to-end cost leadership
  • rigorous cost management and project controls
  • scaled, time-to-market–focused delivery execution
  • improve forecast accuracy
  • accelerate executive decision-making
  • strengthen early risk detection
  • deliver clear, auditable cost transparency
  • establishing standardized processes, systems, and reporting that scale
  • own the development and maintenance of estimates, budgets, forecasts, cash flow, contingency, and change control
  • drive predictable outcomes and disciplined cost governance
  • champion the responsible use of AI and advanced analytics
  • creating repeatable models, dashboards, and insights that improve performance
  • outputs are explainable, traceable, and aligned with enterprise data governance and compliance expectations
  • Own the cost management strategy
  • Build cost governance
  • Establish standards for estimating, forecasting, contingency management, and cost risk practices
  • Provide clear cost narratives to leadership
  • Lead concept-to-definitive estimating
  • Develop and maintain the overall project budget, cash flow, and long-range forecast
  • Benchmark costs using historical data, market intelligence, and parametric models
  • Drive monthly cost report cycles
  • Implement a robust change control process
  • Evaluate change orders and claims
  • Manage contingencies and allowances
  • Develop and govern dashboards
  • Ensure AI outputs are explainable, auditable, and compliant with data governance and privacy requirements
  • Support procurement strategy
  • Track material and labor indices
  • Coordinate with logistics and construction teams
  • Serve as a trusted advisor
  • Lead cost reviews
  • Mentor junior cost engineers/analysts