Director - Cost Management

RPS Group; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Professional membership reimbursements

Paid parental leave

Health and wellness initiatives

Job summary

RPS is seeking a senior leader to drive the strategic direction, performance, and growth of the cost management service across NSW. You will lead client engagements, manage high-performing teams, and expand RPS’s NSW market presence in collaboration with the national lead, with opportunities to grow other locations and sectors.

You will oversee cost planning, estimating, benchmarking and value engineering while advising clients on cost control frameworks, risk management and financial governance

Qualifications

• 10–15 years’ experience in cost management and consultancy.
• AIQS or RICS qualification mandatory.
• Experience with major procurement models: PPP, Alliance, D&C.
• Strong leadership and team-building capabilities.
• Proven ability to win work and grow client relationships in NSW.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow the Sydney/NSW Cost Management team with delivery excellence.
• Oversee cost management and commercial advisory on major infrastructure projects.
• Mentor and develop capability across commercial and cost disciplines.
• Provide strategic cost advice across planning, procurement and delivery lifecycle.

Skills

Cost management

Leadership

Client relationships

Stakeholder engagement

Education

AIQS or RICS qualification

Job description

RPS is a leading professional services consultancy with a global team of over 38,000 people. As part of Tetra Tech, we deliver innovative and sustainable solutions in partnership with clients across infrastructure, energy, environment, and resources sectors.

Our people are passionate problem solvers who thrive on challenges, bringing together a wide range of expertise to shape projects that matter to communities. Joining RPS means being part of a company that values collaboration and professional growth, while contributing to projects that make a real difference.

Your Role:

This is a senior leadership role responsible for driving the strategic direction, performance, and growth of the cost management service offering, while supporting the planning, procurement, and delivery of major infrastructure projects across the state.

You will lead client engagements, manage high-performing teams, and play a key role in expanding RPS's presence in the NSW market working closely with the National lead with opportunity to grow other locations and sectors within the business.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and grow the Sydney/NSW Cost Management team, ensuring high performance and delivery excellence
• Oversee the delivery of cost management and commercial advisory services across major infrastructure projects
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture
• Mentor and develop team capability across commercial and cost disciplines
• Provide strategic cost advice across the full project lifecycle (planning, procurement, delivery)
• Lead cost planning, estimating, benchmarking, and value engineering activities
• Advise clients on cost control frameworks, risk management, and financial governance
• Provide commercial insights aligned to procurement and delivery strategies (PPP, D&C, Alliance models)
• Business Development and growth strategy.
• Act as a trusted advisor to government and private sector clients
• Manage senior stakeholder relationships across various markets
• Navigate complex project environments, including community and environmental considerations
• Identify, develop, and convert opportunities to grow the NSW cost management business
• Lead and contribute to bids, proposals, and client presentations
• Build and strengthen RPS's market presence in Sydney and across NSW

What You Bring:

• 10-15 years' experience in Cost Management and Consultancy
• AIQS or RICS Qualified
• Extensive experience in cost management consultancy, ideally within major property and infrastructure experience
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams and business units
• Strong expertise in cost planning, estimating, and commercial management
• Experience with major procurement models (PPP, Alliance, D&C)
• Proven ability to build client relationships and win work in a competitive market
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic mindset
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills

At RPS, everyone is empowered to bring their best. You'll be welcomed into a collaborative environment where your expertise is valued, and your contributions make impact. We also bring out the best in one another, always assuming best intent. People who learn and grow thrive in our business, sharing in our success.

What's on Offer

Along with a competitive salary, RPS provides a welcoming and collaborative work environment amongst a team of dedicated and pragmatic environmental experts. RPS offers many benefits to ensure your professional development and well-being; these include but are not limited to:

• Flexible work arrangements available
• Professional membership reimbursements
• Paid parental and partner leave
• $250 active lifestyle allowance per year, plus other health and wellness initiatives
• Additional annual leave purchase scheme, public holiday swaps and salary packaging
• Professional and technical development programs including study assistance and online learning
• Active social clubs, Employee Assistance Program, service recognition and more

Our Approach

Our people live our purpose, deliver our promise, and demonstrate our behaviours every day. Our behaviours define who we are. Developed by our people, they underpin everything that we do. They create the memorable experiences we are known for and make RPS a great place to do great work.
Stronger together is one of our five core behaviours and it is key to building a collaborative workplace. We encourage everyone to bring their best and to support others to do the same. By sharing knowledge, challenging each other to think differently, and fostering an environment of trust and respect, our people can learn, grow and thrive - and share in our success.