Cost & Contract Manager

Associated British Ports; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remuneration package

Employer pension

Private health insurance

Other benefits

Job summary

Associated British Ports (ABP) is seeking a senior commercial professional to join the Major Projects CCM team, leading cost, contract management and commercial governance for high‑value infrastructure programmes including the Future Port Talbot (FPT) portfolio.

You will shape procurement strategies, manage NEC4 contracts, oversee cost controls, and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to optimise value and mitigate risk across the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• As a seasoned commercial professional you will hold a degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Commercial Management or a related discipline.
• Professional qualification/Chartership (e.g., MRICS, MCIOB) is required or highly desirable.
• Extensive experience with NEC4 contracts and governance on major infrastructure programmes.
• Proven ability to lead commercial strategies and manage risk across the full project lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist cost and contract management expertise aligned to major infrastructure programmes.
• Lead project cost forecasting, financial controls and governance.
• Shaping commercial strategies and documentation for procurement processes.
• Manage external cost consultants and ensure robust outputs.
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers and legal advisors to support decision making.
• Ensure contract documentation reflects risk allocation and ABP strategy.
• Support senior leadership on emerging risks and potential disputes.

Skills

Cost & contract management

Strategic procurement advisory

Stakeholder influencing

Risk management

Contract negotiation

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying / Construction Commercial Management or related

Tools

CostX

Causeway

CostOS

MS Office

Job description

A Once‑in‑a‑Generation Opportunity to Shape One of the UK’s Most Significant Infrastructure Programmes

This is a rare chance to join ABP’s Major Projects team at a pivotal moment, taking a commercial leadership role within our Cost & Contract Management (CCM) function. You will be at the forefront of delivering the Future Port Talbot (FPT) programme, one of the most ambitious infrastructure transformations of this generation, alongside other major capital projects ranging from £100m to £1bn.

Working as a highly trusted member of the CCM team—a critical division of the Procurement & Contract Management function—you’ll apply exceptional commercial expertise and strategic judgement to a portfolio that includes terminal developments, complex civils, marine works, and major renewable and green energy projects.

Your role will be central to optimising value, strengthening commercial performance, ensuring rigorous contract governance, and managing risk throughout the full project lifecycle. You’ll collaborate daily with project managers, engineers, designers, procurement specialists, legal advisors, and external consultants and contractors—bringing authoritative commercial guidance to a fast‑moving, high‑stakes delivery environment.

What You’ll Do

• Provide specialist cost and contract management expertise aligned to the scale, complexity and risk profile of major infrastructure programmes.
• Take responsibility for all project‑related costs, forecasts and financial controls.
• Lead supplier contract management under the NEC4 suite, ensuring correct application, administration and governance.
• Manage external cost consultants, ensuring quality, consistency and robust commercial outputs.
• Deliver strategic commercial, cost, contractual and procurement advice to support project leadership and strengthen decision‑making.
• Play a key role in the procurement process, shaping commercial strategies and documentation.
• Prepare, review and enhance contract documentation—including terms, scopes and Employer’s Requirements—to ensure clear allocation of risk and alignment with ABP’s commercial strategy.
• Work closely with the CCM Group Lead on commercial strategy, major decisions, emerging risks and potential disputes.
• Ensure contract documentation is consistently updated to reflect new statutory requirements.

What we're Looking For

We are seeking a seasoned commercial professional with the credibility, technical depth and confidence to operate at scale on complex, high‑value infrastructure.

You will bring:

• A strong technical background across cost, commercial and contract management within complex infrastructure such as marine/maritime, civils, M&E or large industrial environments.
• Extensive experience of major capital projects valued £100m–£1bn, ideally with exposure to both client‑side and contractor‑side delivery.
• Significant expertise providing commercial leadership throughout the full project lifecycle in multidisciplinary team environments.
• A proven ability to shape project delivery strategies, including risk identification, contract authoring, negotiation and bespoke agreements.
• The ability to think strategically, problem‑solve and deliver under minimal supervision.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, able to influence senior stakeholders across complex organisations.
• A degree (or equivalent relevant experience) in Quantity Surveying, Construction Commercial Management or a related discipline.
• Professional qualification/Chartership (e.g., MRICS, MCIOB or equivalent).
• Exceptional, demonstrable knowledge of the NEC4 suite, including administering complex NEC contracts on large infrastructure programmes.
• High proficiency in MS Office and cost‑management tools such as CostX, Causeway or CostOS.

When joining ABP you will find an environment that is both welcoming and challenging. We reward our employees well and offer a generous remuneration package, employer pension, private health insurance and a range of other benefits.

Please note that ABP undertake random screening for substance abuse and operate a zero-tolerance policy. A medical will be required before starting this position also.We are an

equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their background, which helps us to provide a diverse and inclusive working environment.

As part of our recruitment process, all successful candidates will be subject to pre‑employment screening to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Please note your consent will be required and further information on this check can be found using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels