Director, Contract Lifecycle, Cost Controls & Claims

Job Type: Full-time | Location: Ft Worth, TX | Department :  Operations | Reporting to: Head of Procurement | Work Location Type: #remote or #hybrid IREN is a vertically integrated AI Cloud provider, delivering large-scale data centers and GPU clusters for AI training and inference. IREN’s platform is underpinned by its expansive portfolio of grid-connected land and power in renewable-rich regions across North America, Europe and APAC. With 100% renewable energy, we build, own and operate our data centers and take pride in being at the forefront of sustainable solutions for the ever-evolving applications of high-performance compute. We believe that human progress is invaluable, but it should be done in the right way – responsibly, sustainably and having a positive impact on the communities we operate in. The Director will lead the contracting SME, cost control, and claims management function for a portfolio of hyperscale and enterprise data center construction projects across the United States. This role owns the full commercial lifecycle of General Contractor (GC), MEP, Design Engineering Consultant, Engineering-Procurement-Construction (EPC), and Commissioning agreements — from negotiation and award through post-execution administration, change order and billing governance, cost control, and claims resolution. The emphasis is on managing executed contracts: partnering with procurement on price negotiations and commercial terms, governing change orders, non-conformance reports (NCRs) and back charges, validating contractor billings, and controlling cost to complete, in partnership with Procurement, Finance, and Legal. The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in construction contract law and commercial structuring, cost engineering, and cost controls, combined with the judgment to manage risk across a fast-moving, capital-intensive construction program. Contract Strategy, Negotiation & Administration Lead development and support procurement on negotiations of General Contractor (GMP, lump-sum, and CM-at-Risk), Design Engineering Consultant, EPC, and Commissioning contractual agreements for data center builds. Establish standardized contract templates, terms, and playbooks that protect the company's interests while enabling schedule-critical execution. Partner with Legal, Risk, and Development teams to structure indemnities, warranties, insurance, bonding, liquidated damages, and performance security provisions. Oversee contract administration through the full project lifecycle, including change order management, notice requirements, and close-out. Support procurement team on competitive bid evaluations, commercial negotiations, and award recommendations in partnership with Legal and Development leadership. Monitor supply chain and labor market conditions affecting construction costs and schedule and provide input to category strategy. Serve as the escalation point for complex commercial and contractual issues across the project portfolio. Post-Award Contract & Commercial Lifecycle Management Own the post-execution lifecycle of awarded GC, EPC, MEP, design consultant, and commissioning contracts, including obligation tracking, notice and milestone compliance calendars, and contract amendments. Lead renegotiation of pricing and commercial terms on executed contracts, including escalation and index-based adjustments, commodity and labor rate resets, and re-baselining of rate schedules. Govern the change order process end to end — origination, pricing review, entitlement and merit assessment, approval routing, and execution — and maintain change order registers capturing cost and schedule impact. Establish billing and payment governance, including pay application review, invoice validation against contract terms and rate schedules, retainage administration, lien waiver and statutory declaration compliance, and resolution of disputed or non-compliant billings. Administer non-conformance reports (NCRs), back charges, and rework cost recovery in coordination with Quality and Construction Management, and manage warranty claim administration through the warranty period. Maintain contractor and supplier performance scorecards, and use performance data to inform renewals, rate negotiations, and future award decisions. Lead contract close-out, including final accounting, release of claims, retainage release, and capture of lessons learned into templates and playbooks. Cost Controls & Budget Governance Establish and lead cost control frameworks across design, procurement, and construction phases, including budgeting, forecasting, and earned value tracking. Partner with project controls and finance teams to maintain accurate cost-to-complete forecasts and variance reporting for executive stakeholders. Drive cost accountability with GC, EPC, and design partners through transparent open-book cost reporting, milestone payments and audit rights. Identify and implement value engineering and cost optimization opportunities without compromising schedule or quality. Claims Management Lead the identification, evaluation, negotiation, and resolution of claims, disputes, and change order disagreements with contractors and consultants. Develop proactive claims-avoidance strategies, including robust documentation, schedule analysis, and early issue escalation protocols. Manage engagement of outside counsel, forensic schedulers, and expert consultants for complex or escalated claims and disputes. Maintain a portfolio-wide claims log and reporting cadence for leadership visibility into exposure and reserves. Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration Build, mentor, and lead a team of contracts managers, cost control managers, and claims analysts. Partner closely with Procurement, development, Design, Construction Management, Finance, Legal, and Risk/Insurance teams to align commercial strategy with program objectives. Present cost, contract, and claims status to executive leadership and, as required, investors or capital partners. Contribute to enterprise-wide process improvement, systems (e.g., project controls/ERP platforms), and governance standards. Required Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Procurement, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Business, or related field. 15+ years of progressive experience in construction contract management, cost controls, procurement, or claims management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role. Direct experience negotiating and administering GC, EPC, design consultant, and/or commissioning agreements for large-scale, mission-critical, or industrial construction projects; data center experience strongly preferred. Demonstrated expertise in construction claims analysis, dispute resolution, and negotiation strategy. Hands-on experience administering executed construction contracts, including change order governance, pay application and invoice review, retainage and lien waiver compliance, NCRs and back charges, and renegotiation of pricing or rate schedules mid-term. Strong command of cost control methodologies, including earned value management, forecasting, and variance analysis. Proven track record managing strategic sourcing and procurement processes for large capital construction programs. Experience managing multiple concurrent, geographically distributed projects. Excellent negotiation, communication, and executive presentation skills. Preferred Advanced degree (MBA, MSCE, JD, or equivalent) or relevant certifications (CCM, PMP, DBIA, RICS/quantity surveying credential, or equivalent). Experience with hyperscale or colocation data center developers, EPC firms, or GCs. Familiarity with mission-critical commissioning processes (Cx/Level 5) and their commercial/contractual implications. Working knowledge of construction law across multiple jurisdictions. Experience with project controls and contract management software platforms (e.g., Procore, e-Builder, Kahua, or similar). Familiarity with contract lifecycle management and construction billing/payment platforms (e.g., Textura, GCPay, SAP Ariba, Coupa, or similar), including integration with AP and ERP workflows. Core Competencies Strategic and commercial acumen with strong risk judgment Advanced negotiation and conflict resolution skills Financial and cost analysis fluency Cross-functional leadership and stakeholder influence Attention to detail balanced with big-picture program thinking Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth construction environment At IREN, we offer a comprehensive, market-competitive total rewards package designed to support employees’ well-being, career advancement, and financial wealth. Our offerings reflect our commitment to Proceed with Purpose while rewarding high performance and long-term growth. Compensation Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, qualifications, and market data for the region. Total Compensation package may be inclusive of annual incentive bonus, equity (long-term incentive). Health & Wellness 100% company paid health insurance premiums (medical, dental, and vision) for employees, 75% company paid coverage for dependents Company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance Voluntary life, critical illness, and accident coverage available Health Savings Accounts (HSA) – when combined with the High Deductible Health Plan Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources Retirement & Financial Wealth 401(k) retirement plan with company match Access to financial planning and legal services Time Off & Leave Programs Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays Growth & Development Internal skills training and advancement pathways Professional development to support certifications, continuing education, or role related training Community & Culture Company events and team-building activities We value diverse perspectives and believe that skills can be developed. If you’re passionate about this role, we want to hear from you — whether you meet every criteria or not. Your unique experiences might be exactly what we need! IE US Operations Inc., the employing entity and proud member of the IREN group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We are committed to evaluating qualified applicants and do not discriminate against protected characteristics under applicable legislation. IE US Operations, Inc. “IREN” participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. By applying for this position and submitting your resume and application materials, you consent to the processing of your personal information in accordance with our Job Applicant Privacy Statement available on our website at www.iren.com.