Cost Manager, Built Environment Consultancy

Ridge and Partners LLP; West of England; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Ridge and Partners LLP in Bristol seeks a Cost Manager to oversee day-to-day cost management across projects throughout the South West and national work. You will be the main client contact with senior support, delivering cost advice from feasibility to final accounts and supporting value-based decisions.

You will manage tenders, cost plans, progress valuations and post-contract changes while maintaining robust client relationships and quality standards.

Qualifications

• RICS-accredited degree in quantity surveying, cost management or related field.
• MRICS preferred; chartership with experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day cost management commissions for defined projects or workstreams.
• Lead client-facing meetings with multidisciplinary teams to support delivery.
• Provide cost advice across feasibility, cost planning, procurement, tendering and post-contract support.
• Prepare pricing documents, cost plans and tender reports; support final accounts.
• Value and agree post-contract variations and monthly cost reports.

Skills

Client relationships

Cost management

Negotiation

Reporting

Microsoft Word/Excel

Education

RICS-accredited degree

MRICS (preferred)

Tools

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.