Assistant Cost Manager (Graduate)

Rider Levett Bucknall RLB; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid Working

Well-Rewarded

Focus On Wellbeing

Healthcare Packages

Personal Development

Additional Benefits

Exceptional Exposure

Social Responsibility

Job summary

Rider Levett Bucknall in Birmingham is seeking a Graduate Cost Manager to join our Future Professionals programme. You will gain hands-on project cost management experience across a variety of sectors, with mentoring from chartered professionals and structured training toward RICS accreditation.

This two-year development scheme covers technical training, soft skills, and exposure to benchmarking, cost estimates, and value engineering, with supportive teams and hybrid working to support work‑life

Qualifications

• A RICS-accredited degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or related discipline.
• Strong numerical and analytical capabilities with good communication flair.
• No prior technical experience required – full training provided.

Responsibilities

• Preparing cost estimates, budgets, and cost plans.
• Assisting with feasibility studies and benchmarking.
• Supporting the preparation of tender and contract documents.
• Conducting cost analysis and value engineering exercises.
• Monitoring and reporting on project costs throughout the lifecycle.
• Supporting the assessment and valuation of variations and change control.
• Assisting with final accounts preparation.
• Engaging with clients, contractors, and design teams under guidance.
• Maintaining accurate project records and data.
• Participating in internal and external project meetings.
• Supporting research, reporting, and best practice development.

Skills

Numerical skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Team player

Education

RICS-accredited degree in Quantity Surveying

Job description

Department: Cost Management

Location: Birmingham

Description

Title: Assistant Cost Manager (Graduate)

Discipline: Cost Management

Location: Birmingham (With Hybrid Working)

Why RLB?

At RLB, we live by four simple ideas: Truth, Trust, Together, Tomorrow. Four values that live at the heart of RLB. A place where People Make Progress.

RLB is a great place to start your career in the built environment. We’re proud of how we guide, mentor and support people from the earliest stages of their careers, laying the foundations for their future success.

RLB’s Future Professionals programme, our development scheme for graduates, is designed to cultivate the next generation of industry leaders. This comprehensive scheme spans two years for graduates, providing structured training support every step of the way, and the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects.

Participants receive mentoring from chartered professionals and additional training focused on both soft and technical skills, ensuring they are well‑equipped to achieve their career and chartership goals.

What makes RLB unique is our inclusive culture. As an independent, employee‑owned business, teamwork and collaboration lies at the heart of everything we do. Hybrid and flexible working arrangements and family‑friendly policies are just some of the ways we invest in employee wellbeing.

Join us and you will thrive personally as well as professionally.

Role Overview

As a Graduate Cost Manager, you will join our structured Graduate Development Programme, designed to support your journey towards achieving chartership with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Our programme combines hands‑on project experience, technical training, and mentorship from experienced professionals to help you build the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to progress in your career. You will gain exposure to all aspects of cost management within a consultancy environment, working across a variety of projects and sectors.

Role Responsibilities

• Preparing cost estimates, budgets, and cost plans.


• Assisting with feasibility studies and benchmarking.


• Supporting the preparation of tender and contract documents.


• Conducting cost analysis and value engineering exercises.


• Monitoring and reporting on project costs throughout the project lifecycle.


• Supporting the assessment and valuation of variations and change control.


• Assisting with the preparation of final accounts.


• Engaging with clients, contractors, and design teams under the guidance of senior colleagues.


• Maintaining accurate project records and data.


• Participating in internal and external project meetings.


• Supporting the team with research, reporting, and best practice development.

Qualifications A RICS‑accredited degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or a related discipline (essential)

Behaviours

• Strong numerical and analytical skills.


• Ability to manage workload, priorities, and deadlines effectively.


• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.


• Eagerness to learn and develop within a consultancy environment.


• Proactive approach to problem‑solving.


• Team player with the confidence to contribute ideas.


• No prior technical experience required – full training and support provided.

RLB Employee Benefits

Our culture is built around enabling you to fulfil your potential, so you can look forward to benefits that include:

• Hybrid Working - Working patterns to support your work-life balance. As well as competitive maternity and paternity packages.


• Well-Rewarded - A competitive salary and generous holiday entitlement. As well as the opportunity to purchase up to five extra days.


• Focus On Wellbeing - We offer a number of health and wellness options, including gym membership and cycle to work schemes.


• Healthcare Packages - Private healthcare insurance and medical support, including dental insurance and eyecare vouchers.


• Personal Development - A continuous learning and development programme, including established APC and in‑house mentoring schemes.


• Additional Benefits - We offer a wide range of benefits including a season ticket loan and professional membership subscriptions.


• Exceptional Exposure - You’ll have the opportunity to work on diverse projects across different sectors and regions.


• Social Responsibility - We hold team and social events as well as charity fundraising and volunteering activities.

Our Diversity & Inclusion Promise

We believe in building a diverse and inclusive environment where each person can be themselves, feel valued for their contribution and be challenged and supported to reach their full potential. We have a responsibility to support the communities in which we live and work, and that our workforce should reflect these communities and our clients. Our talent strategy should enable us to overcome bias in the construction industry by recruiting, retaining, developing, and promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce. Find out more here: Diversity & Inclusion - RLB | Europe

If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you during any stage of the application or interview process, please contact our recruitment team at: [e-mail]