Associate Cost Manager

Overview

As an Associate Cost Manager at Arcadis, you will lead complex cost management across major development and infrastructure programmes, advising on cost, commercial and procurement matters from business case to completion. You will mentor teams, maintain strategic client relationships and contribute to the growth of the Places business. You’ll apply commercial leadership on high-profile projects and ensure high-quality, value-driven outcomes for clients and communities. This role offers impact across projects, programmes and cross-functional collaboration within a global sustainability-focused practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of complex cost management commissions across major development and infrastructure programmes
• Provide strategic cost, commercial and procurement advice from business case to project completion
• Oversee cost planning, benchmarking, estimating, risk management, value engineering, change control and final account resolution
• Provide commercial leadership on large-scale projects requiring senior stakeholder engagement
• Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality, commercially focused advice for client decision-making
• Act as senior point of contact for key clients and strategic accounts
• Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders, project sponsors and delivery partners
• Identify opportunities to expand client relationships and generate new business opportunities
• Support account planning and growth of the Places portfolio
• Represent Arcadis at industry events, client forums and networking activities
• Provide leadership, direction and mentorship to Cost Consultants and Quantity Surveyors across the business
• Take line management responsibility for team members, supporting career development and performance management
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing team culture
• Promote knowledge sharing and technical excellence across regional and national teams
• Support recruitment, succession planning and capability growth initiatives
• Lead the preparation of fee proposals, commercial bids and strategic pursuits
• Take responsibility for commission performance including revenue, profitability and utilisation
• Contribute to business planning and growth strategies across Places market sectors
• Support innovation and service development initiatives that enhance client value and operational efficiency
• Actively contribute to achieving regional and national business performance targets
• Provide oversight and assurance of project deliverables across multiple commissions
• Ensure compliance with governance procedures and professional standards
• Lead commercial risk identification and mitigation strategies
• Review and approve key project outputs before submission to clients
• Drive continuous improvement of cost management processes, systems and best practice methodologies

Key requirements

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Cost Management or a related built environment discipline
• MRICS or equivalent professional accreditation
• Significant consultancy experience delivering cost management services within the built environment sector
• Proven experience leading large and complex programmes, developments or portfolios
• Strong understanding of construction procurement, contracts, risk management and commercial strategy
• Demonstrable experience managing senior client relationships and strategic accounts
• Experience leading, mentoring and developing multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills

• Communication excellence
• Stakeholder management
• Leadership and people development
• Cost planning
• Benchmarking
• Estimating

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