AVP – Planning and Budgeting Data center

Position Overview:

The Associate Vice President – Planning & Budgeting will be responsible for driving strategic project planning, budgeting, cost control across multiple Data center developments. This role includes creating and monitoring master project schedules, cost estimation, MIS reporting, and design coordination using tools like MS Project (MSP), Primavera, Power BI, SAP and others. The ideal candidate will collaborate with internal and external stake holders, consultants, vendors, all departments including Design, Projects, and Head Office to ensure that organizational goals are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards. Should have good knowledge on new technologies in Data center Industry.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Scheduling

• Develop and implement project planning strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
• Create and manage comprehensive master construction schedules using MSP/Primavera for all current and future Data center projects.
• Should have knowledge on Green field and Brownfield projects.
• Define project milestones and update schedules through various stages—design, statutory approvals, procurement, execution, testing and handover.
• Conduct feasibility studies and risk assessments for new project opportunities.
• Align timelines and deliverables with project stakeholders including consultants, contractors, and internal teams.

Cost Control & Variance Management

• Implement and maintain cost control systems to track actuals against budgets.
• Conduct detailed time and cost variance analysis, identifying root causes and recommending corrective actions.
• Propose and track mitigation plans for delays and cost overruns.
• Establish clear governance protocols for managing change requests and escalations.

Cost Estimation & Benchmarking

• Lead preparation of project cost estimates based on design inputs, historical trends, and industry benchmarks.
• Maintain and update cost databases to support informed budgeting and tendering decisions.
• Review and validate BOQs and comparative cost data during procurement.
• This role requires that projects are delivered within budget, financial risks are minimized.
• Planning and developing competitive cost estimates including direct, preliminary, pre-construction, construction (common infrastructure, shell & core), power infrastructure, site infrastructure development, MEP equipment and fit out works.
• Assist in budget preparation and cost forecasting for new and ongoing projects.
• Conduct cost-benefit analyses and value engineering exercises, TCO analysis.
• Analyze actual costs vs. projected costs and report variances.
• Prepare and present cost reports and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Evaluate project plans and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Support contract negotiations with financial data.
• Perform risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies.

Project Governance & Reviews

• Organize and lead cross-functional project review meetings to track progress, resolve issues, and ensure alignment with timelines.
• Standardize planning tools, templates, and reporting systems across all projects.
• Monitor contractor and consultant adherence to project schedules and deliverables.

Project Management Oversight

• Manage end-to-end project lifecycle—ensuring delivery within defined scope, timeline, and cost.
• Identify risks early in the execution cycle and initiate corrective measures in coordination with stakeholders.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Foster strong coordination with Project Management, Procurement, Contracts, Design, MEP, Sales, Finance and Client teams to analyse requirements and monitor expenditures throughout the project lifecycle.
• Serve as the key point of contact for schedule- and cost-related matters with consultants, PMCs, and clients.

Process Optimization & Technology Enablement

• Identify process improvement opportunities and drive adoption of project management best practices.
• Leverage advanced tools like Autodesk Construction Cloud (BIM 360), Aconex, Power BI, and AI-based Excel/PPT features for better project visibility and decision-making.
• Cultivate a culture of operational efficiency, innovation, and continuous improvement.

MIS & Reporting

• Develop real-time dashboards using Power BI to monitor project progress, resource utilization, delays, and cost performance.
• Prepare detailed weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports for management and board review.
• Work closely with finance to prepare cash flow forecasts, working capital plans, and funding requirements.

Experience:

• 12–15 years of experience in project planning, budgeting, and cost control with minimum of 5 years in the Data center sector.
• Proven success in managing large-scale, complex projects from concept through completion.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills.
• Proficiency in:
• Project Management Tools: MS Project, Primavera
• ERP Platforms: SAP, Oracle
• Dashboarding Tools: Power BI, Tableau
• BIM: Autodesk Construction Cloud (BIM 360)
• Document Control: Aconex
• AI in MS Excel & PowerPoint
• Ability to manage multiple high-value projects simultaneously under tight timelines.

Technical Expertise:

• In-depth knowledge of project cost structures and commercial frameworks.
• Hands-on experience with:
• MS Excel (Advanced with AI)
• SAP/ERP integrations
• Cost management systems
• BIM & document control tools (BIM 360 Docs)
• Proven leadership in managing cross-functional teams and vendors across locations

Qualifications & Skills:

• Relevant experience in data centre cost consultancy is mandatory

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
• Advanced degrees (e.g., MBA, MSc in Project Management / Costing) are a plus.

Certifications (Preferred):

• RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors)
• AACE (Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering)
• PMP (Project Management Professional)