Cost Manager/Commercial Manager

Senior Commercial Manager/Cost Manager – Data Centre Construction

Location: Zurich, Switzerland Data Centre Project (1 week Zurich and 1 week Remote)

Sector: Data Centre Construction / Mission Critical

Rate/Salary: Competitive – DOE (Depending on Experience)

Right to Work: Right to work in Switzerland preferred; all visa/sponsorship statuses will be considered for the right candidate

The Role

Our Client is a provider of project delivery and construction management services to the data centre sector. Working alongside hyperscale, AI, neocloud & colo developers to deliver mission-critical facilities on time, safely, and to the highest technical standard. Their teams support projects across EMEA, covering the full commercial lifecycle from pre-construction through to energisation and handover.

Our clients' people typically epitomise strong commercial acumen combined with composure under pressure, sound judgement, and an unwavering commitment to cost, contract, and margin control.

We're looking for candidates who understand the pace and precision the data centre environment demands, and who want to work on projects of genuine scale and complexity.

This is a senior, hands-on role managing the commercial delivery of the project, or a major package, from mobilisation through to energisation and handover, ensuring costs are controlled, contracts protected, and value maximised throughout the exacting standards required in mission-critical environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Take senior ownership of the commercial function, coordinating cost management, procurement, and contract administration activities across all packages
• Act as the senior commercial point of contact between the client, main contractor, and key subcontractors
• Develop and maintain the overall commercial strategy, tracking cost against budget and driving corrective action where required
• Own project budgets and cost reporting, leading the commercial team to protect margin and manage risk
• Review and approve valuations, variations, and payment applications across all packages
• Oversee subcontract procurement and administration, ensuring compliance with contract terms and Swiss/EU standards
• Coordinate closely with all discipline leads to ensure commercial risks and interface points are identified and managed effectively
• Chair and attend senior commercial and stakeholder meetings, providing clear cost reporting to executive stakeholders
• Take overall responsibility for commercial governance, ensuring compliance with contractual and reporting obligations
• Lead final account settlement and close-out, working closely with the project management team
• Manage claims, disputes, and closeout documentation through to practical completion and handover

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Senior Commercial Manager or Cost Manager on data centre or other mission-critical construction projects
• Strong commercial and contractual background across construction disciplines, with the ability to lead a commercial team
• Experience managing subcontract accounts and complex commercial interfaces on large-scale construction sites
• Familiarity with Swiss and/or EU forms of contract and delivery methods (or strong equivalent international experience)
• Excellent leadership, cost management, commercial awareness, and stakeholder communication skills
• Relevant qualification (Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or equivalent background)
• Willingness to be based on site in Zurich for the duration of the project
• English language proficiency essential; German language skills advantageous but not essential

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to lead the commercial function on a major hyperscale data centre programme with a leading Developer.
• Competitive day rate / salary, dependent on experience
• Long-term project with potential for extension
• All visa statuses considered for the right candidate — support and guidance provided where possible

To apply, please submit your CV, or contact us for a confidential discussion about the role.