Our client is a global real estate and infrastructure developer with a growing portfolio of hyperscale and colocation data center developments across Asia Pacific. They are looking for a Director, Cost Management & Quantity Surveying (APAC) to lead the regional commercial, cost, and quantity surveying function across this portfolio. Acting as the senior commercial leader for the region, this role is responsible for establishing and executing cost management strategies, ensuring robust commercial governance, driving cost optimization, managing project financial performance, and leading a high-performing regional QS team.
The successful candidate will oversee all pre-contract and post-contract cost management activities, manage external consultants and contractors, provide executive-level reporting, and serve as a key business partner to Development, Design, Procurement, Construction, Finance, and Executive Leadership teams. The role requires extensive experience in large-scale mission-critical infrastructure projects, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to operate across multiple countries and cultures within APAC.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Regional Leadership & Team Management
- Lead and manage the APAC Cost Management and Quantity Surveying function across multiple countries and projects.
- Build, develop, mentor, and retain a high-performing regional team of Cost Managers, Quantity Surveyors, and Commercial professionals.
- Establish consistent regional commercial standards, governance frameworks, policies, and reporting methodologies.
- Drive best practices in cost management, benchmarking, risk management, contract administration, and commercial controls.
- Partner with senior regional leadership to align commercial strategy with business growth objectives.
Cost Management & Commercial Oversight
- Own the commercial and cost performance of the entire APAC data center development portfolio.
- Develop and maintain regional cost benchmarking databases and market intelligence for construction, equipment, and major procurement packages.
- Review, challenge, and approve project budgets, cost plans, forecasts, and contingency strategies.
- Lead value engineering initiatives and identify opportunities for cost savings while maintaining quality, schedule, and operational requirements.
- Provide executive reporting on project financial performance, risk exposure, cost trends, and forecast outcomes.
Pre-Contract Management
- Oversee cost planning, estimating, procurement strategies, tendering activities, and bid evaluations.
- Ensure accurate and market-aligned project budgets are established during project feasibility and development phases.
- Lead commercial input into procurement and contracting strategies across APAC.
- Support strategic negotiations with major contractors, suppliers, and consultants.
Post-Contract Management
- Direct all post-contract commercial activities including payment certifications, variations, claims, dispute resolution, and final account settlements.
- Provide oversight and governance on contractor commercial performance and contractual compliance.
- Lead negotiations on complex commercial matters and high-value claims across multiple projects.
- Ensure projects are delivered within approved budgets and commercial risks are effectively managed.
Contract & Risk Management
- Oversee administration of contracts under FIDIC and other international standard forms of contract.
- Establish commercial risk management frameworks and ensure proactive mitigation of cost and contractual risks.
- Support dispute avoidance and resolution strategies across the regional portfolio.
- Ensure compliance with company governance, audit requirements, and commercial approval processes.
Stakeholder Management
- Act as the primary commercial representative with executive leadership, investors, consultants, contractors, and strategic partners.
- Collaborate closely with Development, Design, Construction, Procurement, Finance, Legal, and Operations teams.
- Support business cases, investment approvals, and capital expenditure reviews.
- Present project commercial status and portfolio performance to senior executives and board-level stakeholders.
REQUIREMENTS
Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Economics, Engineering, Commercial Management, or a related discipline.
- Master's Degree or MBA is preferred.
- MRICS, FRICS, AIQS, RICS Chartered Surveyor, CIArb, or equivalent professional accreditation preferred.
Experience
- Minimum 15 years of progressive Quantity Surveying, Cost Management, or Commercial Management experience within large-scale construction or infrastructure projects.
- Minimum 5 years of direct data center project cost management experience, including hyperscale, colocation, mission-critical, or similar complex facilities.
- Proven experience leading regional or multi-country commercial and QS teams.
- Demonstrated success managing large capital programs and portfolios exceeding several hundred million dollars in value.
- Strong experience in both pre-contract and post-contract commercial management.
- Extensive knowledge of FIDIC and other international contract forms.
Technical Competencies
- Advanced expertise in cost planning, estimating, benchmarking, forecasting, procurement, contract administration, claims management, and commercial governance.
- Strong understanding of data center design, construction methodologies, and mission-critical infrastructure systems.
- Exceptional financial and commercial analytical capabilities.
- Experience with portfolio-level reporting, risk management, and executive stakeholder engagement.
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic thinker with strong business and commercial acumen.
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and executive leadership teams.
- Strong people leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
- Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation abilities.
Travel Requirements
- Frequent travel throughout APAC to support project delivery, stakeholder engagement, contractor management, and commercial governance reviews.
- Ability to travel internationally on a regular basis and support projects across multiple time zones and countries.
HOW TO APPLY
Send your updated resume to [Confidential Information]
