Cost Manager, Fornebu / Narvik

The Cost Manager will be responsible for leading construction cost management across Nscale’s hyperscale data centre projects in Norway and Nordics. Reporting to the Director, Commercial Operations, you will provide robust cost planning, cost control, forecasting, benchmarking, reporting, and cost assurance from early-stage development through to project close-out.

This role requires a strong Quantity Surveying or Construction Cost Management background, with the ability to manage complex CAPEX budgets, provide accurate cost insight, and support informed decision-making across major construction programs. You will work collaboratively with Development, Design, Construction, Procurement, Finance, and Commercial teams to ensure each project is delivered with clear cost visibility, strong financial discipline, and alignment to approved budgets and governance requirements.

The successful candidate will be analytical, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where high-quality cost information is critical to successful project delivery.

• Lead cost management for major hyperscale data centre construction projects, ensuring costs are planned, tracked, controlled, and reported in line with approved budgets, timelines, and Nscale standards.

• Develop, manage, and maintain detailed project budgets, CAPEX models, cost plans, cost breakdown structures, and cost-to-complete forecasts.

• Prepare and deliver detailed cost reports, forecasts, cash flow analyses, and financial updates, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and timely insight into project cost performance.

• Undertake budget preparation and benchmarking exercises, including cost modelling, market testing, comparative analysis, and review of outcomes with senior stakeholders.

• Analyse and present cost information to senior management, providing commentary, trend analysis, and recommendations to support project and executive decision-making.

• Monitor project commitments, actual costs, forecast costs, risk allowances, contingency, and budget movements throughout the full project lifecycle.

• Support procurement activity through cost estimates, tender cost reviews, bid comparisons, package analysis, and value-for-money assessments.

• Review contractor and consultant payment applications, valuations, invoices, and supporting documentation to ensure accuracy and alignment with agreed scope and contract terms.

• Manage cost change control, including assessment of variations, scope changes, cost impacts, trends, and potential budget movements.

• Support value engineering exercises and cost-saving initiatives, identifying opportunities to optimize expenditure while maintaining safety, quality, resilience, program, and operational requirements.

• Maintain visibility of project cost risks and opportunities, supporting risk reviews through cost analysis, financial modelling, and quantified recommendations.

• Oversee cost close-out processes, including budget reconciliation, final cost reporting, account settlement support, lessons learned, and handover of cost data for future benchmarking.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Development, Construction, Design, Procurement, Finance, Commercial, and Operations teams to ensure cost objectives are aligned with design, schedule, procurement, and operational goals.

• Stay informed on regional market trends, construction inflation, labour and material indices, supplier pricing, and regulatory developments, applying insights to continuously refine cost plans and maintain best-in-class delivery standards.

Required

• Extensive experience in Cost Management within hyperscale Construction with 2+ of those years within Data Centres

• Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or a related discipline; MRICS or equivalent professional accreditation preferred.

• Proven track record of delivering profitable projects and optimizing commercial performance

• Able to engage effectively across regions, and disciplines.

• Adaptable, proactive, and energized by working in a high-growth, fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

• Willingness to frequently travel to our Datacenters.

• Fluency in Norwegian and English required.