Job Description
Insight Global is supporting a leading technology client on a large-scale hyperscale data center program in Michigan City, IN, a two-building campus of approximately 300 MW and multi-billion in total project value. This is a high-visibility build delivered on the owner's side, where the client provides oversight of third-party developers and general contractors executing the work. The Cost Manager is a core member of the embedded onsite team, owning the commercial controls for the site.
The Cost Manager / Cost Site Lead owns project cost management end to end for the site: budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, change management, pay application validation, and cost risk. Operating as an individual contributor on the owner's side, this person provides independent oversight of developer and GC cost submissions, enforces contractual compliance, and delivers clear, early visibility into cost trends and risks to the program cost leadership. The role requires strong commercial acumen, the judgment to surface problems before they escalate, and the communication skills to be a trusted partner to the onsite project team.
Key Responsibilities
Commercial Management
• Own and report cost status, cash flow forecasting, accruals, and variance analysis; keep budgets and forecasts current across the two-building program
• Develop and maintain standardized monthly cost reporting reflecting trending and forecasting of cost at completion
• Ensure POs/COs are issued and tracked per program policies, workflows, and systems
• Advise the onsite project team and cost leadership on effective cost decisions relative to project objectives
• Support commercial reviews, negotiation, and agreement of contracts, GMPs, and related documents with developers, GCs, and vendors
• Monitor market escalation, labor indices, and regional trends to flag budget gaps early
Cash Flow & Invoicing
• Review developer and GC cash flow forecasts against actuals; investigate deviations and determine root cause
• Validate pay applications and invoices for documentation, contractual compliance, and accurate representation of work in place; recommend approval or modification
• Reconcile the resource-loaded schedule and schedule of values with the project scheduler to confirm earned progress
• Communicate cost trends and deviations to leadership clearly and early, including the schedule and delivery implications behind the numbers
Change Management
• Manage end-to-end change control; log and review all changes for cost and schedule impact and attend change review / change control board meetings
• Review and validate developer/vendor and owner change order requests for cost impact and contractual compliance (rates, markups, scope)
• Categorize and track change orders, forecast final cost impact, and determine funding source ahead of approvals
• Identify and manage scope gaps between contracts, developers, and trades before they become cost exposure
Cost Risk Management
• Identify, log, and monitor risks to the final forecasted cost; maintain the cost risk register
• Collaborate with the project team to track future cost and schedule risks and opportunities across developer workstreams
• Manage contingency and ensure the estimated cost at completion reflects known risks per required cadences
• Provide clear cost KPIs and early warnings that give leadership time to act
We are a company committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments where people can bring their full, authentic selves to work every day. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that believes everyone matters. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic factors, age, disability, protected veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to HR@insightglobal.com.To learn more about how we collect, keep, and process your private information, please review Insight Global's Workforce Privacy Policy: https://insightglobal.com/workforce-privacy-policy/.
Required Skills & Experience
• Strong cost management 5+ experience on hyperscale or large mission-critical data center construction (owner's side strongly preferred)
• Cost planning, forecasting, and cost-to-complete expertise aligned to AACEi or RICS best practices
• Hands-on experience setting up and managing project budgets on large capital programs
• Cash flow management and the ability to investigate and explain forecast-vs-actual deviations and what they signal about project health
• Strong GMP and contract fluency: pay application review, change order validation, and GMP audits
• End-to-end change management and change control board experience
• Fluency in owner-side cost systems (e.g., e-Builder, Oracle Primavera Unifier) and strong Excel-based cost modeling
• Excellent communication and stakeholder skills; able to advise and support the onsite project team and partner effectively with developers and GCs
• Comfortable working 100% onsite in Michigan City, IN
Nice to Have Skills & Experience
• Experience on gigawatt-scale or multi-building data center campuses
• PMP, CCP/CEP (AACEi), or CIQS/RICS credentials
• Estimating or quantity surveying background
• Experience supporting funding/term-sheet processes and budget top-ups across project phases
• Familiarity with tax incentive coordination on large capital programs
Benefit packages for this role will start on the 1st day of employment and include medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as HSA, FSA, and DCFSA account options, and 401k retirement account access with employer matching. Employees in this role are also entitled to paid sick leave and/or other paid time off as provided by applicable law.