Cost Manager

Arcadis; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Arcadis is delivering some of the UK's most exciting Higher Education programmes, helping universities create exceptional environments for learning, research, and innovation.

We are seeking an experienced Cost Manager to join our expanding Cost and Commercial Management team, supporting Higher Education clients across a diverse portfolio of capital projects, estate developments, refurbishments, fit-outs, infrastructure, and specialist facilities.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in cost management, quantity surveying, or cost consulting within construction.
• Experience delivering capital projects, refurbishments, fit-outs, infrastructure, or estate development programmes.
• Higher Education sector experience is highly desirable.
• Strong commercial awareness and client-facing skills.
• Experience working in complex stakeholder environments and live operational settings.

Responsibilities

• Deliver cost management services across Higher Education projects from inception through to completion.
• Prepare and manage cost plans, estimates, budgets, procurement strategies, and tender documentation.
• Monitor and report on project costs, change control, risk, and financial performance.
• Administer contracts and provide commercial advice throughout the project lifecycle.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, consultants, contractors, and stakeholders to achieve successful project outcomes.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, supporting long-term growth and repeat business.
• Contribute to bids, tenders, and business development activities.
• Support the delivery of high-quality, commercially successful projects that meet client objectives.

Skills

Cost management

Quantity surveying

Client-facing

Procurement strategies

Education

MRICS chartership

Tools

JCT contracts

Job description

Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets.

We are more than 34,000 people, in over 30 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world's most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.

Role Description

At Arcadis, we are delivering some of the UK's most exciting Higher Education programmes, helping universities create exceptional environments for learning, research, and innovation.

We are seeking an experienced Cost Manager to join our expanding Cost and Commercial Management team, supporting Higher Education clients across a diverse portfolio of capital projects, estate developments, refurbishments, fit-outs, infrastructure, and specialist facilities.

This role is suited to a commercially focused professional with experience providing strategic cost advice throughout the project lifecycle. You will work closely with clients and project teams, helping to drive value, manage risk, and ensure successful project outcomes from business case through to final account.

You'll be part of a collaborative team, building strong client relationships, contributing to account growth, and supporting the delivery of industry-leading solutions across the education sector.

Role Accountabilities

• Deliver cost management services across Higher Education projects from inception through to completion.
• Prepare and manage cost plans, estimates, budgets, procurement strategies, and tender documentation.
• Monitor and report on project costs, change control, risk, and financial performance.
• Administer contracts and provide commercial advice throughout the project lifecycle.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, consultants, contractors, and stakeholders to achieve successful project outcomes.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, supporting long-term growth and repeat business.
• Contribute to bids, tenders, and business development activities.
• Support the delivery of high-quality, commercially successful projects that meet client objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience in a Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, or Cost Consulting role within the construction or built environment sector.
• Experience delivering capital projects, refurbishments, fit-outs, infrastructure, or estate development programmes.
• Higher Education sector experience is highly desirable.
• Strong commercial awareness and client-facing skills.
• Experience working within complex stakeholder environments and live operational settings.
• Knowledge of procurement strategies and contract administration, including JCT forms of contract.
• Experience supporting bids, framework submissions, or client account management is advantageous.
• MRICS qualified or working towards chartership.
• Experience of laboratories, research facilities, healthcare, or other specialist technical environments would be beneficial.

Join Arcadis and help shape the future of Higher Education across the UK.

Why Arcadis?

We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone's contribution matters. It's why we are pioneering a skills-based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximize the impact we can make together.

You'll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you'll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark, on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you.

Together, we can create a lasting legacy. Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day which is why we take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people. We believe that by working together diverse people with different experiences develop the most innovative ideas. Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of how we improve quality of life and we work closely with our people across six ED&I Workstreams: Age, Disability, Faith, Gender, LGBT+ and Race. A diverse and skilled workforce is essential to our success.