Cost Manager

Ridge & Partners LLP; Bath; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ridge & Partners LLP in Bristol is seeking a Cost Manager to oversee day-to-day cost management for a range of high-profile projects across the South West and national work.

You will provide cost advice through feasibility, planning, procurement, tendering and post-contract stages, whilst maintaining strong client relationships and leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver on budget.

Qualifications

• A relevant RICS-accredited degree in quantity surveying, cost management or a similar discipline.
• MRICS preferred; chartership pursued and relevant experience considered.
• Experience in pre and post-contract QS duties: procurement, tendering, valuations, cost reporting and final accounts.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day delivery of cost management commissions and act as the client contact for defined projects.
• Lead client meetings and work with multidisciplinary teams to support project delivery.
• Provide cost advice across the full lifecycle, incl. feasibility, cost planning, procurement, tendering and final accounts.
• Prepare pricing documents, cost plans, tender reports and post-contract cost reporting.

Skills

Cost management

Tender analysis

Pricing & cost reporting

Client relationships

Communication

Excel

CostX/Bluebeam/Smartsheet

Driving licence

Education

RICS-accredited degree in quantity surveying or cost management

MRICS preferred

Tools

JCT contracts

NEC contracts

CostX

Bluebeam

Smartsheet

Job description

We have an opportunity for a Cost Manager to join our Bristol team. The role offers the opportunity to manage day-to-day project delivery, develop trusted client relationships and contribute to a broad mix of commissions across Bristol, the South West and our wider national business. You will act as a day-to-day point of contact for clients and project teams, with support from senior colleagues where appropriate. You will provide cost management advice across the full project lifecycle, including feasibility, cost planning, procurement, tendering, contract administration support, change control, valuations, cost reporting and final account agreement.

Our projects typically range from £1m to over £1bn across sectors such as commercial, residential, build-to-rent, later living, education, health, defence, manufacturing and public sector development.

What you need to do to be effective in this role

• Manage the day-to-day delivery of cost management commissions, acting as a clear point of contact for defined projects or workstreams.
• Lead client-facing meetings where appropriate, working with multidisciplinary teams to support successful project delivery.
• Provide building cost advice at various RIBA stages, including feasibility estimates, order of cost estimates, cost plans and pre-tender estimates.
• Advise clients and design teams on the cost implications of construction methods, alternative materials, project size and quality to help maintain alignment with the cost plan and overall budget.
• Undertake measurement in accordance with defined standards and prepare pricing documents, schedules and cost plan information.
• Prepare, issue, evaluate and report on tenders, including commercial review, normalisation and recommendations.
• Manage project costs during the construction stage, including valuations, cost reports, change control and final account negotiation.
• Agree monthly valuations and prepare clear monthly cost reports for clients and project teams.
• Value and agree post-contract variations, advising on cost and budget impact.
• Undertake cost research, market testing, data capture and benchmarking to support robust advice and decision-making.
• Maintain project documentation, follow quality assurance procedures and support consistent team standards.
• Develop relationships with existing clients, consultants and contractors and support development of new opportunities.

• Cost planning at various RIBA stages, including preliminary estimates, elemental cost plans and detailed design-stage cost advice.
• Tender analysis, normalisation, commercial review, risk identification and preparation of clear tender reporting outputs.

• Valuing completed works and advising on progress payment recommendations.
• Preparing clear reports, risk registers, cashflow updates and change control summaries for clients.
• Negotiating and agreeing final accounts with contractors and supply chain partners, with senior support where appropriate.

The skills and experience you need to have for this role

• A relevant RICS-accredited degree in quantity surveying, cost management or a similar discipline.
• MRICS preferred. Candidates working towards chartership with relevant experience may also be considered.
• Experience of pre and post-contract quantity surveying duties, including procurement, tendering, valuations, cost reporting and final accounts.
• Experience using JCT contracts. Knowledge of NEC contracts would be advantageous.
• Articulate, confident and capable of establishing and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Commercially aware, with excellent negotiation, organisational and reporting skills.
• Good communication skills and the ability to produce clear written reports and recommendations.
• Confident using Microsoft Word and Excel. Experience with CostX, Bluebeam, Smartsheet or similar project tools would be advantageous.
• Holder of a UK driving licence.

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