Cost Manager / Senior Cost Manager (MEP) – Real Estate

Overview

In this role you will lead MEP cost management on projects or manage MEP commissions, establishing early budgets and cost plans while guiding design teams to stay on budget. You’ll coordinate tendering and procurement, deliver post‑contract reporting, and mentor junior cost professionals. You will partner with contractors and MEP supply chains, help develop MEP digital tools, and promote best practices to support project delivery and client objectives. This position offers exposure to high‑profile assets within a collaborative, flexible work environment and a chance to influence cost outcomes in real estate projects.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible working environment
• healthy work-life balance
• equal opportunity employer

Responsibilities

• Lead MEP deliverables on projects or manage MEP commissions (asset upgrade works)
• Establish early budgets, provide early estimating, and develop cost plans
• Manage design teams to budget; oversee tendering and procurement (single and two-stage)
• Deliver post‑contract reporting
• Mentor Assistant Cost Managers and Cost Managers in the MEP team
• Collaborate with contractors and MEP supply chains with robust relationships
• Support development of MEP digital systems and tools; promote best practices

Key requirements

• Proven track record in cost management/quantity surveying across the full project lifecycle
• RICS or similar professional qualification, or working towards Degree or HNC
• Ability to level and negotiate initial tender returns and issue recommendations
• Experience managing change control processes and cost negotiations
• Reviewing payment applications and preparing recommendations
• Managing final account reconciliations
• Reviewing cost build-ups and rate analysis
• Capability to undertake basic counts using CostX
• Proactive engagement with contractors and clients
• Ability to perform benchmarking using available data
• Updating and tracking the Client Workbook with change orders
• Willingness to take on detailed, process-driven tasks

• Collaborative mindset
• Proactive communication
• Mentoring and coaching
• Cost management and quantity surveying across full lifecycle
• Tendering and procurement (single and two-stage)
• Change control and cost negotiations

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