Graduate or Placement Cost Manager

Cooper & Hall Limited; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Cooper & Hall Limited is seeking a motivated junior Cost Manager to help clients make informed commercial decisions throughout the property lifecycle. You will assist on pre‑contract and post‑contract work, with exposure to live projects ranging from £500,000 to £15m across the built environment.

You will join a supportive APC programme, work with experienced professionals, and have opportunities to build your career within a collaborative, client‑facing environment in Belfast and across our

Qualifications

• RICS accredited degree or MSc in Quantity Surveying.
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain information clearly and professionally.
• Good research and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret information and draw logical conclusions.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high‑quality work.
• Good organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Confident using Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team while taking ownership of individual tasks.
• Interest in the built environment and a desire to develop technical and commercial knowledge.
• Willingness to learn, seek feedback and continuously develop new skills.
• Full driving license preferred but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Support projects across both pre‑contract and post‑contract Cost Management services.
• Assist in preparing feasibility studies, cost plans and pricing exercises.
• Attend site visits to monitor project progress and support the preparation of valuations and cost reports.
• Assist in preparing tender documents and supporting the tender process.
• Attend project meetings and work alongside design teams, consultants and clients.
• Support the preparation of benchmarking studies and cost appraisals for alternative project solutions.
• Contribute to Cost Management instructions on projects ranging from £500,000 to £15m.
• Support site assessments and cost planning activities, helping to identify risks, opportunities and project constraints.
• Develop an understanding of commercial performance, business development and client relationship management.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends and market developments.
• Take ownership of your continuous professional development.
• Champion our values and contribute positively to our culture.

Skills

Numerical

Analytical thinking

Communication

Detail oriented

Time management

Team collaboration

Microsoft Office

Driving license

Education

RICS accredited degree or MSc in Quantity Surveying

Job description

Where ambition thrives

Want to help shape projects from the very beginning and influence the decisions that bring them to life?

We're looking for an ambitious junior Cost Manager to join our team and help clients make informed commercial decisions throughout the property lifecycle. From feasibility and budgeting through to project delivery, you'll play a role in projects that create value, manage risk and help turn ambition into reality.

Whether you're a recent graduate or embarking on a placement year, you'll join a business that trusts you with real responsibility, supports your growth through positive challenge and gives you the opportunity to build an exceptional career.

You'll work alongside experienced Cost Managers and industry specialists, gaining exposure to live projects, client relationships and commercial decision‑making from day one. We'll also support your development through our APC programme as you work towards professional membership and long‑term career success.

What you'll get

• Early responsibility and meaningful involvement in live projects from day one.
• Exposure to projects ranging from £500,000 to £15m across the built environment.
• Opportunities to work directly with clients and develop your commercial awareness early in your career.
• Structured support through our APC programme and a clear pathway towards professional qualification.
• Opportunities to learn from experienced Cost Managers and technical experts.
• A people‑first, One Team culture where your ideas are welcomed, your contribution is recognized, and your development matters.
• Opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across disciplines and our European offices.
• The trust and autonomy to take ownership of your work and career development.
• The opportunity to share in the success you help create through our employee-owned business model.

What you'll be doing - your day to day

• Support projects across both pre‑contract and post‑contract Cost Management services.
• Assist in preparing feasibility studies, cost plans and pricing exercises.
• Attend site visits to monitor project progress and support the preparation of valuations and cost reports.
• Assist in preparing tender documents and supporting the tender process.
• Attend project meetings and work alongside design teams, consultants and clients.
• Support the preparation of benchmarking studies and cost appraisals for alternative project solutions.
• Contribute to Cost Management instructions on projects ranging from £500,000 to £15m.
• Support site assessments and cost planning activities, helping to identify risks, opportunities and project constraints.
• Develop an understanding of commercial performance, business development and client relationship management.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends and market developments.
• Take ownership of your continuous professional development.
• Champion our values and contribute positively to our culture.

Skills and experience

• RICS accredited degree or MSc in Quantity Surveying.
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain information clearly and professionally.
• Good research and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret information and draw logical conclusions.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high‑quality work.
• Good organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Confident using Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team while taking ownership of individual tasks.
• Interest in the built environment and a desire to develop technical and commercial knowledge.
• Willingness to learn, seek feedback and continuously develop new skills.
• Full driving license preferred but not essential.

About you

You're curious, motivated and eager to learn. You enjoy working with numbers, solving problems and helping others make informed decisions. You're organised, adaptable and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining attention to detail and high standards. You're comfortable taking ownership of your work, open to feedback and committed to developing your skills and expertise. Most importantly, you have a passion for the built environment and are excited by the opportunity to create meaningful impact through your work.

Why us?

We're independent, multi-disciplinary real estate technical experts, Project Managers and Sustainability Consultants. Our Cost Management teams work closely with clients and colleagues across the business, helping to shape commercially successful outcomes on projects throughout the property lifecycle.

Through our One Team culture, you'll collaborate with specialists from across the business, gaining broader experience, deeper insight and opportunities to accelerate your development - while finding the fun along the way.

We're also proud of our track record in developing future talent. Today, 62 of our people started their careers with us as graduates, including 6 who have progressed to Director level. We currently have 50 graduates, 19 apprentices and 5 placement students across our programmes, creating a strong community of emerging talent and a proven pathway for progression.

We're independently owned and independently minded. That means you'll have a voice, opportunities to make an impact and the chance to help shape the future of our business while sharing in its success.

We're Inclusive

Together we welcome, we embrace, and we celebrate our differences. Our aim is to provide a diverse and inclusive workplace which supports and cares for all our employees, including those from underrepresented or non‑dominant groups. We’re focused on a culture of inclusion; where all barriers including prejudice are removed from our working environment; and where all our people are empowered to be the best they can be.

Don’t meet every single requirement? We encourage you to apply anyway as you could be the right candidate for this role or another role within the company.