Job Title: Estimator / 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 provide continuous cost and commercial management support across 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 complex, mission-critical facilities. Data center experience is preferred but not required, making this an excellent opportunity for an experienced cost management professional seeking long-term involvement on multiple data center sites.
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 and planning decisions.
- Evaluate key cost drivers such as power capacity, redundancy requirements, cooling systems, and overall infrastructure scope.
- Support early-stage project planning and funding decisions by providing robust cost analysis and recommendations.
- Establish and maintain project budgets, forecasts, and cost baselines throughout design and construction.
- Monitor cost performance during all phases of the project, identifying variances and recommending corrective actions.
- Review contractor pricing, change orders, and payment applications to ensure accuracy, value, and contractual compliance.
- Lead value engineering and cost optimization initiatives to improve project affordability without compromising performance.
- Identify and assess project risks, opportunities, and potential budget impacts, and communicate these to stakeholders.
- Support procurement strategy development, bid evaluations, and contractor selection processes.
- Review subcontractor and vendor proposals for completeness, competitiveness, and alignment with project requirements.
- Assist with contract administration, including commercial negotiations and interpretation of contract terms.
- Prepare regular cost reports, forecasts, and executive-level financial updates for clients and project leaders.
- Support funding approvals, cash flow forecasting, and contingency planning through accurate financial analysis.
- Analyze project risks, escalation impacts, and budget variances, and propose mitigation strategies.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to clients and project stakeholders, providing clear, data-driven commercial guidance.
- Lead cost management activities across assigned projects, ensuring consistent processes and high-quality deliverables.
- Build strong working relationships with contractors, consultants, and project teams to facilitate effective collaboration.
- Mentor and support junior cost managers, estimators, and quantity surveyors, helping them develop technical and professional skills.
- Contribute to project management, bidding, and construction management activities as they relate to cost and commercial performance.
Essential Skills
- At least 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 overall project financial impacts.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and provide clear recommendations.
- Effective communication skills, including the ability to present financial information to clients and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated experience building productive relationships with clients, contractors, and project teams.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced project environment while maintaining attention to detail.
- Hands-on experience with estimating, project budgets, forecasting, and commercial management throughout the project lifecycle.
- Experience in project management, bidding, construction management, and commercial construction.
- Proficiency in Excel, with advanced skill level for financial modeling, cost analysis, and reporting.
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 desirable.
- Knowledge of construction contracts, procurement processes, and project delivery methods.
- Experience with value engineering, lifecycle costing, and project cost modeling.
- Background in client-facing consulting or owners representative environments.
- Intermediate knowledge of Windows, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook.
- Knowledge of On Screen Takeoff or similar estimating software is a plus.
- Interest in ongoing professional development supported by access to online education platforms.
- Ability to operate effectively as part of an owners representative consulting team.
Work Environment
This is a salaried position based on a standard 40-hour workweek with a strong focus on work-life balance. You work on site at the end clients data center facilities in the greater Chicago area, supporting long-term projects across multiple sites. The environment is that of an owners representative consulting firm, where you collaborate closely with client teams, design professionals, and contractors on complex capital projects. The role offers 80 hours of paid time off (accrued) and 8 paid holidays, along with access to a 401(k) plan and medical, dental, and vision coverage. You also benefit from a 360-degree review program, a discount program, and ongoing education opportunities through an online learning platform after six months. The culture emphasizes professional growth, transparent performance feedback, and sustained involvement in mission-critical data center construction programs.
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)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 5, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Chicago,IL.
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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.