Cost Planning and Commercial Lead

Sovereign Housing Association Limited; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK housing association is seeking a Cost Planning and Commercial Lead to provide regional cost planning and commercial advice in Bristol. This role requires significant experience in cost planning, especially for residential developments valued between £50 million and £150 million. Key responsibilities include preparing detailed cost plans, collaborating with various teams, and ensuring cost-effectiveness throughout project development. The position offers hybrid working, flexible benefits, and generous holiday allowances.

Benefits

Hybrid, flexible working

25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays

Pension scheme matching up to 12%

Life cover upon joining

Qualifications

• Significant experience in cost planning or quantity surveying related to residential development.
• Experience on projects valued between £50 million and £150 million.
• Strong understanding of residential brownfield developments and mixed-use schemes.

Responsibilities

• Provide cost planning and commercial advice to support land bids.
• Prepare detailed cost plans and viability appraisals.
• Collaborate with teams to ensure cost-effective solutions.

Skills

Cost planning

Quantity surveying

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Degree in construction or built environment

Tools

Cost planning software

Job description

Are you an experienced Commercial Lead or Employers Agent with knowledge of viability, feasibility pre‑construction analysis with regards to detailed cost estimates for residential projects?

As one of the most active developing housing associations in the UK, SNG's Investment and Development team has a strategy to invest £7bn into new and existing homes over the next ten years. We are proud that we're leading the way on setting the very highest standards for affordable homes and great places to live. We're seeking a Cost Planning and Commercial Lead to join our development team.

The role

This role will provide regional cost planning and commercial advice in support of Land and New Business and Regeneration teams to ensure land‑bids are cost‑competitive and help meet new business delivery targets for S106, Land‑Led, JV and Regeneration opportunities.

Responsibilities will include:

• Collaborating with colleagues, stakeholders, supply chain and consultants to ensure SNG's development risks are quantified and mitigated throughout the design, procurement and delivery of new homes.
• Preparing and maintaining detailed cost plans and viability appraisals from RIBA (Royal Institution of British Architects) stages 1–4.
• Supporting land acquisition and feasibility studies with commercial input.
• Collaborating with design, technical, and commercial teams to ensure cost‑effective and buildable solutions.
• Benchmarking costs and maintain a library of rates and data for future reference.
• Assisting in value engineering and risk identification to optimise commercial outcomes in all development activity.
• Interpreting drawings and specifications to produce cost schedules and budget estimates.
• Attending design team meetings, site visits, and liaise with PQS (Professional Quantity Surveying) consultants.
• Ensuring costs are assessed in compliance with planning obligations.

What we're looking for:

• A degree in a construction of built environment related field OR equivalent experience.
• Significant relevant experience in cost planning or quantity surveying, ideally with a developer or PQS focused on residential development.
• Experience working on projects ranging from £50million to £150million in value.
• Strong understanding of residential brownfield development, especially high‑density and mixed‑use schemes.
• Proficiency in cost planning software.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Previous experience in pricing geotechnical engineered solutions and all types of traditional foundations and piling including temporary and permanent works, concrete frames, basement construction, site remediation.
• Previous experience in cost‑estimating traditional construction for houses and apartments as well as apartment superstructure and various modern methods of construction, undertaking market‑testing and cost/value benchmarking of the same.

What can we offer you?

• Hybrid, flexible working plus x3 paid wellness days per annum
• 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays (with an extra day every year up to 30 days)
• A chance to buy or sell holiday as part of our flexible benefits package
• A generous pension scheme matching up to 12%
• Life cover as soon as you join us