Associate Cost Manager – Utilities – Pre Contract Lead

Overview

In this role you will lead pre-construction cost management for utilities projects, acting as the main client liaison and guiding the commercial delivery with a strong focus on cost planning, procurement and strategic advisory. You will shape commercial approaches, support bids and embed best practice across utility programmes within a collaborative, inclusive culture. The position offers leadership opportunities, exposure to complex infrastructure, and a clear path for professional growth in a high-performing team.

Pay / Benefits

• hybrid working
• family-friendly policies
• tailored training programme
• mentoring and reverse mentoring
• inclusive culture
• employee-owned business

Responsibilities

• Lead/drive indicative cost budgets and appraisals for utilities (Power, Water, Gas, Telecoms)
• Prepare detailed estimates from RIBA stage 2–4 using NRM measurement methodologies
• Provide commercial guidance on client development plans and expectations
• Conduct value engineering and cost-saving analyses
• Procure strategies and tender management for multiple utilities projects
• Lead tender documentation, responses to queries, evaluations and contract reports
• Act as lead commercial advisor to clients and manage stakeholder relationships
• Lead and develop a team of senior/ cost managers within utilities division
• Support bid leadership, market positioning and service line development
• Ensure compliance with cost planning, procurement strategies and safety standards

Key requirements

• Degree in Quantity Surveying or similar technical discipline
• Strong understanding of electricity, gas, water, wastewater or multi-utility environments (regulated and non-regulated)
• Membership of a relevant professional body
• Experience with cost planning software and tendering
• Client-facing, able to build long-term relationships
• Proven experience managing complex projects with deadlines
• Background in HV Transmission/Distribution projects and major utilities frameworks
• Experience with NEC, Fidic, JCT contracts

• Excellent communication and leadership abilities
• Strategic thinker with commercial acumen
• Stakeholder management and client-facing confidence
• Cost planning/estimation
• Procurement strategy and tender management
• Cost modelling and benchmarking

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