Data Center Cost Manager, Ada

Over the last 20 years, Ares’ success has been driven by our people and our culture. Today, our team is guided by our core values – Collaborative, Responsible, Entrepreneurial, Self-Aware, Trustworthy – and our purpose to be a catalyst for shared prosperity and a better future. Through our recruitment, career development and employee-focused programming, we are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment where high-performance talent of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can build careers within this exciting and growing industry.

About the company

Ada Infrastructure is a part of the digital infrastructure platform of Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES), a leading global alternative investment manager offering clients complementary primary and secondary investment solutions across the credit, real estate, private equity and infrastructure asset classes. We are a global data centre business grounded in sustainability, safety, and security. With a world-class team of industry leaders and the resources of Ares Management, Ada Infrastructure is executing on our mission to lead the world in sustainable digital infrastructure that drives customer success and social benefit.

Summary

Ada is expanding our team in EMEA. Our newest need is for a commercial/cost manager. This role will be largely based out of our London office with remote working and travel to our sites.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates during concept, design, and pre‑construction phases.
• Develop cost plans, budgets, and forecasts for all project stages.
• Analyse drawings, specifications, and project documents to determine material, labour, and equipment costs.
• Provide costing information for customer requested changes on a timely basis (in tandem with GC during execution).
• Manage tender processes, including preparing/reviewing bid documents and evaluating contractor proposals.
• Conduct cost comparisons and negotiate pricing with suppliers and contractors.
• In collaboration with your delivery team, ensure all project work scope has been included in the project estimates; verify all scope, durations, and assumptions included in each estimate and supports the authorization and release of every estimate.
• Support finance and investment departments in preparation of funding requests.
• Participate with the wider delivery team and outside consultants in research on new products and installation techniques and develop cost roadmaps to ensure competitive pricing.
• Monitor project expenditures and track cost performance against budgets.
• Identify cost variances and recommend corrective actions.
• Maintain cost databases and benchmarking information.
• Review and administer construction contracts.
• Assess change orders, variations, and claims to determine cost impact.
• Ensure compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements.
• Produce cost reports, cash‑flow projections, and financial updates.
• Present findings to project stakeholders and senior management.
• Identify cost risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Conduct value engineering exercises to optimize cost efficiency without compromising quality.
• Provide feedback to management team on partners’ commercial performance – cost consultants, GC, MEP, etc.
• Review and implement lessons learned to ensure estimating data is accurate and competitive.
• Understand and handle competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Develop and maintain relationships with contractors / partners.
• Work with the wider Ada team focusing on continuous improvement to our business processes.

Preferred Skills & Competencies

• Proven record of leadership, strong verbal and written communications abilities, good interpersonal and organizational skills, computer proficiency, capacity to multi-task in a fast‑paced environment, impeccable integrity and can‑do attitude are all essential to success.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office software.
• High attention to detail and analytical mindset.
• A thorough understanding of contracting strategies including but not limited to lump sum, cost plus, fee‑based, T&M.
• A thorough understanding of material take‑off & cost estimating experience, and a working understanding of labour rates, general conditions, overhead, & profit.
• Knowledge of AutoCad is a plus.
• Knowledge of network & operating systems support a plus.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Ability to develop and document procedures.
• Experience of project management.
• Must be able to work with people at all levels internally and within the customer & vendor environments.
• Must be able to work in a team environment.

Required Qualifications

• Degree qualification in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience working in mission critical data centre construction.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts (FIDIC, NEC, JCT etc.).
• Must be able to handle multiple construction projects simultaneously.
• Must be willing to travel between 35-50% of the time as well as oversee multiple projects in multiple jurisdictions simultaneously.

Reporting Relationships

Cost Manager, EMEA, Ada.

There is no set deadline to apply for this job opportunity. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the search is no longer active.