Ada Infrastructure is a global data center business committed to being a positive force for technology, people, and the planet. As part of the digital infrastructure platform of Ares Management Corporation (NYSE:ARES), a leading global alternative investment manager, Ada Infrastructure is positioned to be a leader in the industry in reliable, safe, secure, and sustainable digital infrastructure. With eight in-flight campuses across Japan, the UK, and Brazil, we have over 850 MW of power currently available and more than 1,500 MW in our global pipeline. To learn more about Ada Infrastructure, visit www.adainfrastructure.com or to learn more about Ares Management visit www.aresmgmt.com.
Job Description
Position
Senior Associate, Cost Management, APAC
Department
APAC Data Center Delivery
Location
Tokyo, Japan
Key Responsibilities
Cost Management & Commercial Oversight
- Lead cost management activities across multiple data center development projects throughout Japan and the broader APAC region.
- Review and validate construction budgets, cost plans, estimates, and commercial assumptions.
- Perform detailed analysis of cost consultant outputs, methodologies, productivity assumptions, and market pricing benchmarks.
- Develop independent cost assessments to ensure budget accuracy and commercial integrity throughout the project lifecycle.
- Identify cost optimization opportunities and value engineering initiatives while maintaining project quality and operational requirements.
Tendering & Procurement
- Lead commercial evaluations for major construction tenders and procurement packages.
- Conduct bid analysis, contractor comparisons, and recommendation assessments.
- Benchmark market pricing and contractor performance against industry standards and historical project data.
- Support procurement strategies that maximize value while mitigating commercial risks.
Contract Management & Governance
- Manage commercial approvals for contracts, variations, change orders, and project commitments.
- Review and approve payment applications, progress claims, invoices, and commercial submissions.
- Ensure compliance with internal governance processes, approval authorities, and contractual obligations.
- Support negotiations with contractors, consultants, and key service providers to protect commercial interests.
Budget Management & Financial Control
- Maintain ownership of project budgets from initial underwriting through final account settlement.
- Monitor commitments, forecast costs at completion, cash flow projections, contingencies, escalation assumptions, and project risks.
- Partner closely with finance teams to ensure consistency and transparency across financial reporting systems.
- Develop robust budget controls and commercial reporting frameworks for active projects.
- Evaluate inflation impacts and market cost trends to support investment decision-making.
Investment Team Partnership
- Act as the primary commercial liaison between development and investment teams.
- Maintain underwriting assumptions, CAPEX models, and investment inputs throughout project execution.
- Support and lead regular reviews with investment stakeholders by providing accurate financial updates and cost forecasts.
- Partner with leadership teams to safeguard project returns through disciplined cost control and proactive risk management.
- Contribute to strategic decision-making related to project viability, investment performance, and capital deployment.
Reporting & Stakeholder Management
- Develop executive-level reporting and KPI dashboards covering cost performance, commercial risk, schedule impacts, and vendor performance.
- Prepare concise and insightful presentations for senior leadership and investment stakeholders.
- Collaborate with regional and global teams to standardize commercial management processes and reporting practices.
- Manage relationships with consultants, contractors, investors, and internal stakeholders across Development, Design, Finance, Legal, and Delivery functions.
Reporting Relationships
There is no set deadline to apply for this job opportunity. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the search is no longer active.
