Lead Cost Manager/Associate Director (Data Center Construction)

Overview

As a Lead Cost Manager/Associate Director at Linesight, you will play a critical role in delivering complex, high-value construction projects while leading experienced, diverse teams in a collaborative and high‑trust environment. You will draw on your deep industry expertise to support clients through all stages of the project lifecycle, helping them navigate cost, risk, and commercial decision-making with confidence.

At Linesight, we place strong value on long-term partnerships, integrity, and excellence in delivery. You will be empowered to take ownership of your portfolio, supported by regional and global leaders, and encouraged to actively contribute to our continued growth in Japan and across the wider APAC region.

The Opportunity

In this role you will:

• Act as a trusted commercial advisor and key account manager to major clients, particularly within data centers and other technically complex sectors
• Lead and oversee large-scale construction projects in Japan, ensuring cost, quality, schedule, and contractual objectives are achieved
• Build and maintain long-term client relationships based on trust, consistency, and detailed delivery
• Support business development activities, including repeat work with existing clients and collaboration on new opportunities
• Lead the tender and bid process, including cost analysis, commercial inputs, and reporting
• Prepare and manage cost estimates, cost plans, and commercial strategies aligned with Japanese market practices
• Control and report project costs through valuations, forecasting, cost reporting, and change management
• Provide clear, timely communication on variations, risks, and cost impacts to both internal teams and clients
• Apply value engineering and cost optimisation techniques while maintaining quality, compliance, and safety standards
• Support informed decision-making through strong documentation and disciplined commercial processes
• Mentor, develop, and support team members, creating a culture of continuous improvement and accountability
• Work closely with regional and global Linesight teams to ensure consistency with international best practice

We would love to hear from you if you:

• Have solid experience as a Cost Manager or Commercial Lead on large or complex construction projects in Japan or Northeast Asia
• Bring strong pre- and post-contract cost management experience, ideally within data centers, life sciences, pharma, or high‑tech environments
• Understand Japanese construction practices, procurement methods, and client expectations, while being comfortable operating in an international business
• Have a degree or equivalent experience in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline
• Are chartered or working toward professional certification (RICS or equivalent) — support can be provided
• Are fluent in Japanese (business level or above) and have strong English communication skills
• Are detail-oriented, structured, and comfortable working in a highly regulated and quality-focused environment
• Demonstrate strong stakeholder management skills and a calm, solutions-focused leadership style
• Value teamwork, long-term relationships, and professional integrity

All interviews are conducted either in person or virtually with video required.

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About us

Linesight is a highly successful global project and cost management consultancy that keeps clients coming back. And for that we have our people to thank. You see we’re not like the others. We’re different. Unique. It’s our fresh thinking and focus on what matters that has led to our evolving. We are on a journey working in some of the most exciting innovative sectors with some of the world’s most prestigious companies delivering major projects that deliver a more sustainable built environment. We have an open culture and a flat structure where you can expect to be treated with genuine care, respect, and empathy. With Linesight, you can truly discover the power of team!

Diversity, inclusion and accessibility

Linesight is committed to transparent, equal opportunity employment practices. We are building a diverse and inclusive organisation, accessible to all, based on having a safe culture which enables all our people to be their true selves. We are a people business, and we understand that the more inclusive we are, the happier our people and better our work will be. We will ensure that individuals with disability are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or recruitment process and are accommodated in the workplace. If you require assistance or accommodation of any kind, please mention this in your application, we would love to hear from you