Cost Intelligence Manager

Pontoon; North Warwickshire; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A consultancy in the UK is seeking a Cost Intelligence Manager for a hybrid role in Warwick. The successful candidate will develop cost libraries and pricing models, engage with stakeholders, and implement new operating models for cost estimation. They should have a strong background in infrastructure, experience with cost intelligence solutions, and advanced skills in Excel and analytics tools. This is a 12-month contract with a pay rate of £600 per day via umbrella, inside IR35.

Qualifications

• Strong background in infrastructure or construction industries.
• Proven experience in cost intelligence solutions development.
• Track record of leading transformation programmes.
• Consulting experience with Big 4 or similar.

Responsibilities

• Develop cost libraries and pricing models for large-scale projects.
• Define and implement a new operating model for cost intelligence.
• Use advanced tools for cost capture and reporting.
• Engage with stakeholders to drive alignment.
• Establish frameworks for data quality and compliance.
• Enhance cost intelligence databases.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Power BI

SQL

Python

R

Stakeholder management

Cost modelling

Tools

Pricing tools

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Cost Intelligence Manager
Location: Warwick (Hybrid - 2-3 days per week onsite)
Contract: 12 months (potential extension)
Pay Rate: £600 per day via umbrella (Inside IR35)

Responsibilities

• Solution Design & Build: Develop cost libraries, reference pricing models, and digital cost intelligence platforms for large-scale capital projects.
• Strategic Transformation: Define and implement a new operating model for cost estimation and intelligence.
• Data & Analytics: Use advanced Excel, pricing tools, and analytics (Power BI, SQL, Python, R) to design robust methodologies for cost capture and reporting.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Partner with business leaders, project managers, and commercial teams to drive alignment and adoption.
• Governance & Risk: Establish clear frameworks for data quality, compliance, and auditable cost practices.
• Continuous Improvement: Enhance processes and grow the cost intelligence database with lessons learned and external market data.

Candidate Profile

Must-Have Experience

• Strong background in infrastructure or construction industries (energy, utilities, transport, major capital projects).
• Proven experience building cost intelligence solutions (e.g. estimation platforms, libraries, reference pricing models).
• Track record of leading or contributing to transformation programmes, ideally with digital cost estimation tools.
• Advanced Excel and pricing tool capability, with exposure to analytics (Power BI, SQL, Python, R).
• Consulting background (Big 4 or similar) with expertise in cost modelling, data-driven decision support, and stakeholder management.

Nice-to-Have

• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks in utilities or infrastructure.
• Experience embedding governance, risk management, and compliance into cost estimation.
• Comfortable working in ambiguous, evolving environments and shaping new functions from the ground up.

Not Suitable

• Candidates with only finance/commercial backgrounds focused on recording/challenging costs.
• Candidates from digital transformation who lack infrastructure exposure.
• Candidates without hands-on cost solution development experience.

Please note: Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within 48 hours, your application has not been successful on this occasion. However, we may retain your details for future suitable opportunities.

Pontoon is an employment consultancy. We put expertise, energy, and enthusiasm into improving everyone's chance of being part of the workplace. We respect and appreciate people of all ethnicities, generations, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, and more. We do this by showcasing their talents, skills, and unique experience in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we will be happy to support you