Lead Cost Manager/Associate Director (Data Center Construction)
The opportunity
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.
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.
#LI-SK1
At Linesight, we believe that our success is tied to the success of our employees, and we are committed to creating a workplace that is fair, equitable, and inclusive for everyone. We understand that creating an environment where all employees have an equal opportunity to thrive requires a concerted effort across every stage of their time with us, from hiring and onboarding to promotion, career growth, and development.
As part of this commitment, we have implemented a range of policies and initiatives to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). This starts with our attraction pipeline and accessible job descriptions, designed to attract a broad range of candidates, and continuing throughout the employee life cycle with DE&I checks built in at every stage. Fairness, consistency, and transparency are the core principles for all our hiring, salary increase, and promotion decisions with built-in gender pay gap checks. Employee and family-friendly policies also enhance inclusion and equity in our teams.
About Cost Management
Our teams of cost managers deliver cost predictability, a high level of assurance and value for money on prestigious, cutting-edge projects around the globe for world-leading clients. Be a part of our collaborative, close-knit teams, who share comprehensive knowledge of international, regional and local construction costs and benchmarks. We champion both mentoring and reverse mentoring across all levels and roles, so you can benefit from the deep expertise and development supports within our organisation, regardless of your experience or seniority.
Life at Linesight
