The Cost Manager will own the commercial and cost management function across CloudHQ's APAC data center portfolio, from site evaluation and preconstruction through procurement, construction, and final account closeout.
This role carries direct accountability for cost outcomes on projects across multiple APAC markets. The Cost Manager will lead preconstruction cost planning, procurement strategy, and construction-phase commercial management, directing external QS/cost consultant resources where engaged.
What You Will Get to Do
Preconstruction & Estimating
- Lead preconstruction cost strategy for new APAC opportunities, including feasibility estimates, comparative site analysis, and investment-grade cost plans to support business case approvals.
- Develop and maintain benchmark cost models for APAC data center typologies, contributing to Cloud Precon's standardized estimating framework.
- Direct value engineering studies during design development, quantifying cost and schedule implications of design alternatives.
- Establish regional cost databases tracking market-specific labor rates, material indices, and supply chain conditions across target APAC jurisdictions.
Procurement & Contract Strategy
- Lead commercial aspects of contractor and vendor procurement: RFP development, bid evaluation, bid leveling, and negotiation of contract terms.
- Develop procurement strategies appropriate to each APAC market, considering local contracting norms (lump sum, GMP, design-build, FIDIC, AS-series, SIA conditions).
- Own the commercial evaluation and recommendation process for GC, trade contractor, and professional service appointments.
Construction-Phase Commercial Management
- Own cost control across all active APAC projects: monthly cost reporting, cash flow forecasting, and variance analysis against approved budgets.
- Manage commercial administration of construction contracts including progress payment assessment, change order evaluation and negotiation, claims management, and final account agreement.
- Direct external cost management / QS consultants where engaged, setting scope, reviewing deliverables, and ensuring alignment with CloudHQ commercial standards.
Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement
- Prepare and present monthly commercial reports to senior leadership, covering cost status, risk exposure, commitments, and forecast-to-complete across the APAC portfolio.
- Partner with CloudHQ Finance to align cost reporting with financial systems and support funding draw requests.
- Establish and refine commercial SOPs and workflows for the APAC region, ensuring consistency with CloudHQ's global commercial framework.
What You Bring to The Role
- Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a closely related discipline. Advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum 10 years experience in cost management, quantity surveying, or commercial management on large-scale construction programs, with demonstrated owner-side or developer-side experience.
- Direct accountability for cost outcomes on projects exceeding USD $100M, ideally within data center, hyperscale, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, or mission-critical facility sectors.
- Strong working knowledge of contract forms and procurement models used across APAC markets.
- Strong analytical, financial modeling, and data interpretation skills.
- Proficiency with project and cost management platforms.
- Effective communicator with ability to present complex commercial information to senior stakeholders, contractors, and cross-functional teams.
- Demonstrates strong ownership of responsibilities, following through from start to finish with minimal oversight. Takes initiative to identify and solve problems, ensuring high standards of accuracy.
- Ability to travel regularly across APAC markets, with willingness to respond to project needs and work extended hours as required.
What We Offer
CloudHQ's people and culture are the most enriching aspects that make us a great place to work. We are strengthened by industry experts who bring extensive knowledge, skill, and experience; leaders who bring vision, innovation and commitment to our people; and an expanding team of individuals who believe in that vision and bring their best to support their customers and team.
Our employees enjoy competitive compensation and rewarding incentives, comprehensive benefits, development opportunities, and the ability to closely impact and contribute to the growth of an exceptional organization.
Equal Employment Opportunity
CloudHQ is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or other legally protected status.
