Cost Consultant - Data Centre (Pre-Construction)

Overview

Overwatch EMEA extends Overwatch Mission Critical’s proven owner-representation and delivery assurance model across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. We support developers, investors, and operators delivering mission-critical infrastructure through disciplined pre-construction planning, commercial governance, and execution certainty.

Our teams operate at the point of highest leverage in a capital programme: early decision-making. From site selection and feasibility through design development and procurement strategy, we provide clients with clear cost intelligence, risk visibility, and defensible commercial positions for large-scale data centre investments.

At Overwatch, this work is not advisory for its own sake. It is about protecting capital, enabling speed without loss of control, and setting projects up to succeed before ground is broken.
Position Summary

The Cost Consultant - Data Centre (Pre-Construction) acts as the owner’s commercial and cost authority during the earliest and most consequential phases of mission-critical developments.
Working alongside developers, investors, design teams, and utilities, you will lead pre-construction cost planning, benchmarking, and financial risk management for complex, MEP-intensive data centre programmes across Spain and wider Europe.

This role requires deep understanding of data centre cost drivers, Spanish construction processes, and market conditions, combined with the judgment to challenge assumptions, stress-test designs, and guide clients toward commercially sound decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Construction Cost Leadership
Develop order-of-cost estimates, elemental cost plans, and feasibility studies from concept through detailed design
Build and maintain data centre–specific cost models and benchmarks covering power, cooling, shell & core, and fit-out scopes
Advise clients on capex vs opex trade-offs, scalability strategies, and phased delivery approaches
Support site selection and early feasibility analysis within the Spanish market, including infrastructure and utility constraints

Design & Commercial Advisory
Work closely with architects, engineers, and specialist consultants to align technical solutions with cost and investment objectives
Provide structured value engineering and value management input without compromising performance, resilience, or operability
Track cost evolution through design development, identifying emerging risks, scope creep, or opportunities for optimisation

Procurement & Risk Management
Advise on procurement and contracting strategies aligned with Spanish and European market practices (traditional, D&B, EPC, early contractor involvement)
Prepare pre-tender estimates, tender documentation, bid evaluations, and commercial comparisons
Identify, quantify, and manage commercial and cost risk during pre-construction, providing clear mitigation strategies

Client & Stakeholder Engagement
Act as a trusted commercial advisor to clients, investors, and internal delivery leadership
Interface with Spanish authorities, utilities, and statutory bodies during early project stages
Produce clear, decision-ready cost reports, cash flow forecasts, and executive-level summaries

Required Experience & Capability

Essential
Proven experience as a Cost Consultant / Quantity Surveyor on data centre or mission-critical infrastructure projects
Strong pre-construction capability from feasibility through detailed design
Demonstrated understanding of Spanish construction processes, including planning, permitting, procurement, and regulatory requirements
Strong knowledge of MEP-intensive construction and infrastructure-led developments
Advanced cost modelling, benchmarking, and reporting capability

Desirable
Experience delivering projects in Spain or Southern Europe
Familiarity with Spanish construction contracts and local cost benchmarks
Exposure to modular construction, phased delivery, or rapid-deployment data centre strategies

Qualifications
Degree in Quantity Surveying, Cost Management, Construction Economics, or related discipline
Professional accreditation (RICS, CIOB, or equivalent) preferred

Personal Attributes
Commercially rigorous with strong attention to detail
Confident engaging senior stakeholders and investment decision-makers
Analytical, proactive, and solutions-oriented
Comfortable operating in technically complex, high-value, and regulated environments

OVERWATCH EMEA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.