Cost Manager

Poutrix; Oxford; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Arcadis is seeking a Senior Cost Consultant to lead Quantity Surveying and Cost Management for laboratory, research and science facility projects in the UK and Europe. The role includes developing cost models, feasibility studies and budgets to inform investment decisions.

You will prepare cost plans, manage procurement, support negotiations and oversee contract administration while mentoring junior staff and driving digital cost-management adoption.

Qualifications

• Degree in Quantity Surveying or related discipline.
• MRICS is desirable.
• Proven experience delivering QS and Cost Management on laboratory, research, pharmaceutical or complex scientific facilities.
• Strong commercial awareness with understanding of MEP-intensive projects and key cost drivers.
• Confident in presenting cost advice and commercial recommendations to clients and stakeholders.
• Experience using CostX, 5D BIM and benchmarking platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead Quantity Surveying and Cost Management services on laboratory, research and science facility projects across the UK and Europe.
• Develop cost models, feasibility studies and budgets for informed investment decisions.
• Prepare robust cost plans, estimates and benchmarking analyses.
• Manage procurement activities, evaluate contractor submissions and support negotiations.
• Drive contract administration, cost control and change management throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide leadership and mentoring to junior team members, supporting their development.
• Champion continuous improvement and adoption of digital cost management tools and processes.

Skills

Quantity surveying

Cost management

MEP cost drivers

Client presentation

Digital cost management

Leadership

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying or related

MRICS (desirable)

Tools

CostX

5D BIM

Benchmarking platforms

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

Are you an experienced Quantity Surveyor with a passion for delivering cutting‑edge science, research and laboratory facilities? We’re growing our Life Sciences & Research Cost Management team and are looking for a Senior Cost Consultant to help shape some of the UK and Europe’s most exciting research, technology and life sciences projects. From world‑class laboratories to highly specialised scientific environments, you'll provide trusted commercial advice that helps clients bring innovative facilities to life.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work with national and global clients across thriving science hubs including London, Oxford and Cambridge, leading complex projects from early feasibility through to successful delivery.

Role Accountabilities

• Lead Quantity Surveying and Cost Management services on laboratory, research and science facility projects across the UK and Europe.
• Partner with clients to develop cost models, feasibility studies and budgets that support informed investment decisions.
• Prepare robust cost plans, estimates and benchmarking analyses that maximise value and commercial performance.
• Manage procurement activities, evaluate contractor submissions and support commercial negotiations.
• Drive contract administration, cost control and change management throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide leadership and mentoring to junior team members, supporting their development and technical excellence.
• Champion continuous improvement, innovation and the adoption of digital cost management tools and processes.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying or a related discipline.
• Chartered Quantity Surveyor (MRICS) is desirable.
• Proven experience delivering Quantity Surveying and Cost Management services on laboratory, research, pharmaceutical or other complex scientific facilities.
• Strong commercial awareness with a detailed understanding of MEP-intensive projects and their key cost drivers.
• Confident in presenting cost advice and commercial recommendations to clients and project stakeholders.
• Experience using digital cost management tools such as CostX, 5D BIM and benchmarking platforms.

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.