Cost Intelligence Manager

Yorkshire Water; Leeds, Bradford; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A utility service provider is seeking a Cost Intelligence Manager to enhance commercial performance and prevent value leakage through a new AI-enabled platform. The role includes overseeing cost intelligence systems, providing insights for strategic planning, and leading a team. Based in Leeds with a hybrid working model, candidates should have a relevant degree and experience in commercial contract arrangements, risk-based auditing, and team leadership. The position offers an attractive benefits package and a great work environment.

Benefits

Company car lease/allowance scheme

Annual incentive bonus (up to 10%)

Private health care

Attractive pension scheme

Life assurance cover

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Wellness day

Retail savings scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Qualified to at least Degree level in a relevant field.
• Excellent knowledge of commercial contract risks and opportunities.
• Strong communication and ability to deliver reports to management.

Responsibilities

• Embed a system to prevent contract value leakage.
• Oversee development of cost intelligence systems.
• Provide insights into cost drivers and variances.

Skills

Commercial contract arrangements

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Risk-based auditing

Team leadership

Education

Degree in Finance, Accounting, Quantity Surveying or related

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Excel

Job description

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Cost Intelligence Manager to join the Commercial Assurance function at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers. Could this be you?

Location: This role will initially be based in Bradford but we’re moving our office to Leeds Valley Park in summer 2026, so you’ll be based there in the future. Leeds/Bradford/Hybrid Working (1 office day a week).

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

What you will do

• Embed a new systemised capability to proactively prevent contract value leakage supporting our drive to establishing robust supplier relationship management. This will be achieved through the development and deployment of an AI-enabled cost intelligence platform designed to provide contract managers with live dashboards, enabling data-led decisions to enhance commercial performance and prevent value leakage at source.
• Oversee the development and maintenance programme of cost intelligence systems, designed to flag value leakage exceptions on complex, high spend contracts.
• Provide insights into cost drivers and variances to support strategic planning and risk mitigation.
• Drive continuous improvement in cost intelligence processes, tools, and data governance.
• Support the development of cost models and scenario analyses to evaluate commercial options and risks carried out through value engineering.
• Lead, manage and develop a team of Cost Intelligence Business Partners to successfully deliver the cost intelligence programme to time, cost and quality, providing assurance that costs claimed are in line with contracted terms and conditions of the agreement.

What we are looking for

• Qualified to at least Degree level (e.g. Finance, Accounting, Quantity Surveying or relevant to commercial auditing).
• Excellent knowledge and experience of commercial contract arrangements, and the inherent risks and opportunities with each option.
• Experience in risk-based auditing in a commercial environment with a keen eye for detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to deliver high quality outputs and effectively communicate reports to senior management.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to challenge existing frameworks, processes and controls.
• Experience of leading and coaching a high performing team.
• Have a positive, can do attitude with a drive to continually improve and is results driven.

You will also benefit from having

• Experience in managing third party consultants, required to support the delivery of complex commercial contract audits.
• Knowledge and understanding of commercial governance.
• Experience of implementing change initiatives and effectively working within a team to drive performance improvements.
• Experience in infrastructure, construction, utilities, or a similar sector is advantageous.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with a deep understanding of commercial cost structures and drivers.
• Experience in commercial data visualization and business intelligence tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, Excel).

Benefits

• A company car lease/allowance scheme (£2,510 cash allowance).
• Annual incentive related bonus (up to 10% of annual salary).
• Private health care (self only).
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 10% company contribution).
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus an extra wellness day!
• A great benefits package – choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
• Retail savings scheme.
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Notes

Closing date for this role is 2nd December 2025. Interviews will be held throughout December. If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required. We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible. If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required. Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.