FPT- Cost & Contract Manager

Associated British Ports; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer pension

Private health insurance

Generous remuneration package

Job summary

Associated British Ports is seeking a Cost and Contract Manager in Cardiff (3 days office/onsite) to lead commercial oversight on major infrastructure programmes, including the Future Port Talbot project, with contracts ranging from £100m to £1bn.

You’ll drive cost control, NEC4 contract administration, and risk management across multidisciplinary teams, shaping procurement strategies and governance to maximise value while maintaining delivery schedules.

Qualifications

• Experience leading cost and contract management on major infrastructure projects.
• Strong grasp of NEC4 contracts and commercial governance.
• Proven ability to manage risk and drive value across large programmes.
• Degree in QS/Construction Commercial Management; MRICS/MCIOB preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist cost and contract management for major infrastructure programmes.
• Own project costs, forecasts and financial controls.
• Lead NEC4 contract administration and governance.
• Manage external cost consultants; ensure quality outputs.
• Deliver strategic commercial and procurement advice to leadership.
• Shape commercial strategies and critical project documentation.
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers and legal advisors.

Skills

Cost & contract management

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Project governance

Risk management

Education

QS/Construction commercial management degree

MRICS or MCIOB qualification

Tools

NEC4

CostX

Causeway

CostOS

MS Office

Job description

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We’re the UK's largest ports operator with a network of 21 ports around Britain. We handle around one quarter of the UK's seaborne trade and contribute £7.5 billion to our economy every year.

It’s a story we’re proud of but it doesn’t end there.We’re transforming our business and embracing the future.

We offer a vast range of roles spanning the UK, all rooted in a culture that welcomes diversity, fosters talent, encourages internal movement and progression, and places safety as our number one priority.

Role: Cost and Contract Manager

Location: Cardiff (3 days office/onsite)

Contract: Permanent

A Once‑in‑a‑Generation Opportunity to Shape One of the UK’s Most Significant Infrastructure Programmes

This is a rare chance to join ABP’s Major Projects team at a pivotal moment, taking a commercial leadership role within our Cost & Contract Management (CCM) function. You will be at the forefront of delivering the Future Port Talbot (FPT) programme, one of the most ambitious infrastructure transformations of this generation, alongside other major capital projects ranging from £100m to £1bn.

Working as a highly trusted member of the CCM team—a critical division of the Procurement & Contract Management function—you’ll apply exceptional commercial expertise and strategic judgement to a portfolio that includes terminal developments, complex civils, marine works, and major renewable and green energy projects.

Your role will be central to optimising value, strengthening commercial performance, ensuring rigorous contract governance, and managing risk throughout the full project lifecycle. You’ll collaborate daily with project managers, engineers, designers, procurement specialists, legal advisors, and external consultants and contractors—bringing authoritative commercial guidance to a fast‑moving, high‑stakes delivery environment.

What You’ll Do

• Provide specialist cost and contract management expertise aligned to the scale, complexity and risk profile of major infrastructure programmes.
• Take responsibility for all project‑related costs, forecasts and financial controls.
• Lead supplier contract management under the NEC4 suite, ensuring correct application, administration and governance.
• Manage external cost consultants, ensuring quality, consistency and robust commercial outputs.
• Deliver strategic commercial, cost, contractual and procurement advice to support project leadership and strengthen decision‑making.
• Play a key role in the procurement process, shaping commercial strategies and documentation.
• Prepare, review and enhance contract documentation—including terms, scopes and Employer’s Requirements—to ensure clear allocation of risk and alignment with ABP’s commercial strategy.
• Work closely with the CCM Group Lead on commercial strategy, major decisions, emerging risks and potential disputes.
• Ensure contract documentation is consistently updated to reflect new statutory requirements.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking a seasoned commercial professional with the credibility, technical depth and confidence to operate at scale on complex, high‑value infrastructure.

You will bring:

• A strong technical background across cost, commercial and contract management within complex infrastructure such as marine/maritime, civils, M&E or large industrial environments.
• Extensive experience of major capital projects valued £100m–£1bn, ideally with exposure to both client‑side and contractor‑side delivery.
• Significant expertise providing commercial leadership throughout the full project lifecycle in multidisciplinary team environments.
• A proven ability to shape project delivery strategies, including risk identification, contract authoring, negotiation and bespoke agreements.
• The ability to think strategically, problem‑solve and deliver under minimal supervision.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, able to influence senior stakeholders across complex organisations.
• A degree (or equivalent relevant experience) in Quantity Surveying, Construction Commercial Management or a related discipline.
• Professional qualification/Chartership (e.g., MRICS, MCIOB or equivalent).
• Exceptional, demonstrable knowledge of the NEC4 suite, including administering complex NEC contracts on large infrastructure programmes.
• High proficiency in MS Office and cost‑management tools such as CostX, Causeway or CostOS.

Please note, 1st stage interviews will take place on 26th/27th October, 2nd stage interview will take place on 2nd/3rd November.

Additional Information:

When joining ABP you will find an environment that is both welcoming and challenging. We reward our employees well and offer a generous remuneration package, employer pension, private health insurance and a range of other benefits.

Please note that ABP undertake random screening for substance abuse and operate a zero-tolerance policy. A medical will be required before starting this position also.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their background, which helps us to provide a diverse and inclusive working environment.

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