Assistant Cost Planner

Berkeley Group Plc; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave increasing with 1

Private medical insurance

Online discount platform access

Berkeley Foundation volunteer day

Private pension plan

Group life assurance

Job summary

Berkeley Group is seeking an Assistant Cost Planner to join the pre-contract team, working with the Senior Cost Planner and Commercial Director on design and cost estimation for developments.

You’ll bring a degree in Quantity Surveying or Construction Management, 1–3 years’ relevant experience, strong numerical and analytical skills, Excel proficiency and attention to detail, with a proactive attitude toward development toward Cost Planner.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• 1–3 years experience in a property developer, cost consultancy or main contracting environment.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills; proficient with Excel and measurement software.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Senior Cost Planner and Commercial Director on pre-contract design and cost planning.
• Liaise with development and technical teams to align financial goals with design intent.
• Assist in preparing build cost estimates; meet tight deadlines for Commercial Director approvals.
• Take measurements from technical drawings to prepare detailed cost plans.
• Review design proposals and conduct value engineering for best value.
• Maintain cost databases and stay aware of market trends.

Skills

Numerical skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Organisation

Ambitious / proactive

Education

Quantity Surveying degree or related discipline

Tools

Excel

Measurement software

Job description

Berkeley Group builds homes and neighbourhoods across London, Birmingham and the South of England. We revive underused land, creating welcoming, sustainable and nature-rich places where communities thrive and where people of all ages and backgrounds enjoy a great quality of life.

We specialise in long-term brownfield regeneration, focusing on challenging and complex sites that are beyond the scope of conventional homebuilders. We are highly collaborative, working with councils and communities to create a shared vision and to unlock a mix of social, environmental, economic and commercial value that benefits all our stakeholders.

Our passion for quality and design underpins everything we do. All Berkeley homes are created with care, expertise and relentless attention to detail.

What You’ll Be Doing

• As Assistant Cost Planner you will work closely with the Senior Cost Planner and Commercial Director and be an integral part of the pre-contract team involved in the design and specification of developments.
• Liaise with development and technical teams to align financial goals with design intent.
• Support the Senior Cost Planner in the preparation of all build cost estimates throughout the development phases, often to tight deadlines, for the approval of the Commercial Director.
• Undertaken measurements from technical drawings in order to prepare detailed cost plans
• Review all design proposals and undertake value engineering exercises to ensure best value and efficiency for all developments.
• Maintain cost database to ensure accurate build costs and awareness of market trends.

What You’ll Bring

• Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Previous experience (1-3 years preferred) within a property developer, cost consultancy or main contracting environment.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in Excel, and measurement software.
• Excellent attention to detail, communication and organisation.
• Ambitius, proactive and eager to develop towards Cost Planner level

Why join us

• 25 days annual leave, increasing with service to 33 days.
• Health and wellbeing benefits including Private Medical Insurance.
• Lifestyle benefits including access to an online discount platform.
• Berkeley Foundation volunteer day.
• Private pension plan.
• Group life assurance.

The standard default full-time working hours in the office are 8am-5pm with core working hours 9am-4pm.

Internal applicants

If you’re an internal applicant, please ensure you’ve informed your line manager of your intention to apply for this position.