Site Construction Cost Manager - South

About Applied Digital: 

At Applied Digital, we are the epicenter of AI innovation, crafting cutting-edge data center solutions tailored for the demands of high-performance computing. Designed from the ground up to support AI and machine learning workloads, our infrastructure is the backbone of tomorrow’s technological advancements, including AI-driven video and generative platforms. 

We are: 

At Applied Digital, we are committed to solving intricate problems, advancing business initiatives, maximizing operational efficiency, and reducing our carbon footprint. We are a team of resilient, forward-thinking innovators driving the AI revolution. 

Position Summary

The Site Construction Cost Manager is responsible for driving commercial performance across large-scale capital construction projects, with a primary focus on cost management, change order evaluation, budget oversight, General Contractor pricing review, and contractor commercial negotiations. This role serves as a critical partner to Construction, Finance, and Procurement teams to ensure project budgets are effectively managed, cost-saving and cost-recovery opportunities are identified, and procurement strategies support overall project objectives. Data center experience is strongly preferred.

Approximately two-thirds of the role is dedicated to cost management and commercial oversight, with the remaining one-third focused on procurement, sourcing, contract support, and invoice & vendor management.

The role requires on-site presence (approximately 50% travel) for 1-2 weeks per month, with full-time on-site presence preferred to support direct engagement with project teams, General Contractors, and field execution activities.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Management & Commercial Oversight

• Review, analyze, and manage large-scale capital project budgets.
• Lead commercial reviews of General Contractor estimates, GMPs, budget updates, and cost forecasts.
• Challenge General Contractor pricing assumptions, evaluate trade-level cost drivers, and ensure pricing aligns with scope, market conditions, and contract requirements.
• Scrutinize change orders to ensure pricing accuracy, contractual compliance, and value optimization.
• Identify, negotiate, and document cost savings, cost recovery, and cost avoidance opportunities across projects, with a minimum target of 2% budget impact.
• Analyze construction cost trends, market conditions, escalation impacts, and pricing assumptions.
• Develop cost benchmarking and comparative analyses across projects, regions, contractors, and trade packages.
• Review contractor contingency usage, allowances, and budget transfers.
• Support executive reporting related to project budgets, forecast accuracy, commitments, and cost risks.
• Identify and mitigate cost overruns through proactive commercial management.
• Support dispute resolution and commercial negotiations related to project cost impacts.

Procurement & Sourcing

• Partner with General Contractors to support sourcing strategies for on-site construction services, equipment, and major project packages, as needed.
• Support contractor and vendor selection processes, including RFP development, bid leveling, and commercial evaluations.
• Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers, contractors, and service providers.
• Evaluate procurement opportunities to create leverage, standardization, and volume pricing advantages across the portfolio.
• Support strategic sourcing, procurement execution, and inventory control needs when required.
• Partner with legal and project teams to support contract negotiations and commercial terms.
• Maintain strong vendor relationships and support ongoing supplier performance discussions.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in construction cost management, commercial management, project controls, or a related discipline.
• Experience supporting large-scale capital projects; experience with multi-billion-dollar programs strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts, GMP development, order management, and commercial negotiations.
• Experience working directly with General Contractors, subcontractors, and major suppliers.
• Proven ability to drive commercial value on large-scale construction projects, including a demonstrated track record of achieving approximately 2-5% budget impact through savings, recoveries, or avoidance.
• Strong analytical and financial skills with the ability to evaluate budgets, forecasts, estimates, and pricing models.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and financial analysis tools.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and challenge assumptions constructively.

Preferred Experience

• Data center experience strongly preferred; hyperscale, industrial, mission-critical, energy, semiconductor, or large infrastructure project experience also relevant.
• Experience with procurement strategy, contractor sourcing, strategic sourcing, and inventory control.
• Knowledge of project controls, cost forecasting, earned value, or commercial management processes.
• Familiarity with construction industry cost databases and benchmarking methodologies.

Success Measures

• Reduction in approved change order costs.
• Achievement of at least 2% budget impact through documented cost savings, cost recoveries, or cost avoidance.
• Forecast accuracy against approved budgets.
• Procurement savings and portfolio-level cost optimization.
• Successful commercial management of large-scale capital programs.
• Effective collaboration with Development, Construction, Finance, and Procurement teams.

Please note that Applied Digital is currently unable to sponsor new applicants for employment authorization or provide immigration-related support for this position. This includes, but is not limited to, visa categories such as H-1B, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, TN, E-2, E-3, L-1, O-1, and any Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) or other work authorizations that require employer sponsorship.