Commercial Manager - Cost Control for Build Schemes

Locationhead Office; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Locationhead Office is seeking a cost control professional to take ownership of budgets across design and build developments in London and beyond. You will drive early cost planning, challenge designs on price, manage procurement, and keep each project within approved budgets.

The role collaborates with development leads and finance teams to safeguard margins throughout the investment cycle. The successful candidate will build robust cost plans, lead tender processes, and deliver timely cost

Qualifications

• Degree in quantity surveying or related discipline.
• Client-side or developer experience, ideally in student housing, hotels or co-living.
• Confident with Excel and cost estimating tools.
• Analytical with a careful eye for detail.
• Clear communicator who builds good working relationships with contractors, suppliers and internal clients.
• Resilient under pressure and a natural problem solver who hits deadlines.
• Working knowledge of industry standards, regulations and codes of practice.
• Has managed a portfolio of several schemes at once, from inception through to completion.

Responsibilities

• Build cost plans and budgets for each scheme that match the brief and financial limits set by the investment team.
• Keep precise cost estimates, procurement programmes and cash flow forecasts up to date.
• Partner with development managers and designers so proposals are affordable and buildable within the budget.
• Engage contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers to secure competitive pricing on materials and services.
• Produce tender packages, assess bids and make recommendations to the development managers and projects director.
• Run project budgets and change control; judge cost and programme impact of changes to protect margin.
• Ensure contract terms are followed, anticipating risk and settling disputes to protect results.
• Supply the finance team with regular updates on spend and budget position.

Education

Degree in quantity surveying or related discipline

Tools

Excel

Cost estimating tools

Job description

Locationhead Office is seeking a cost control professional to take ownership of budgets across design and build developments in London and beyond. You will drive early cost planning, challenge designs on price, manage procurement, and keep each project within approved budgets.

The role collaborates with development leads and finance teams to safeguard margins throughout the investment cycle. The successful candidate will build robust cost plans, lead tender processes, and deliver timely cost