Senior Cost Manager

Role Overview

As a Commission Manager, you will take ownership of the commercial and cost management journey for major or intricate client commissions, serving as the primary day-to-day contact for the client. Your work spans from early feasibility and affordability advice through procurement, contract administration, and final account agreement, ensuring that client goals are achieved through disciplined cost control. This position is critical to sustaining trusted client relationships and delivering cost management that adds measurable value to projects and the firm.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish affordability parameters at project inception and support feasibility reviews so clients have a clear financial baseline before design progresses, applying value management practices early and bringing in senior colleagues when the commission’s scale or risk demands it.
• Lead estimating and cost planning throughout the project lifecycle, maintaining accurate forecasts as the design and client brief evolve.
• Manage procurement end to end, including pre-qualification, tender enquiries, bills of quantities, bid evaluation, contractor selection, and contract preparation.
• Control post-contract costs by overseeing change control, cost checking, valuations, and variance tracking to prevent budget drift.
• Prepare monthly post-contract cost reports and present them to clients, turning commercial detail into clear, actionable insight.
• Deliver value engineering, risk management, and life cycle costing where relevant, and negotiate and settle final accounts.
• Act as the main link between the client and other consultants at all stages, and lead a cost management team when required, ensuring QA/QC and the firm’s Target Improve Control methodology are applied consistently. This includes helping with staff resourcing and appraisals, capturing commission learning in knowledge systems, monitoring margin and fee forecasts, improving processes, and mentoring or identifying training for junior cost management staff.
• Support business development by identifying new opportunities with existing and prospective clients, contributing to bids alongside Associate Directors and Directors, and attending networking events.

Requirements & Qualifications

• At least 7–10 years of progressive experience in cost management or quantity surveying, with a track record of managing multiple projects concurrently.
• A degree in Quantity Surveying as a minimum qualification.
• BORAQS registration is required; RICS accreditation would be an advantage.
• Proficiency with Cost X software.
• Demonstrated leadership of diverse teams and coordination across multiple stakeholder groups.

What We Offer / Why Join

This role gives you end-to-end responsibility for large or complex commissions and direct exposure to clients and consultants at every project stage. You will have the chance to shape cost management procedures, contribute to bids and cross-selling, and mentor junior staff. The position also offers involvement in knowledge management, process improvement, and the application of the firm’s Target Improve Control methodology within a strong QA/QC framework.