Operations Director - CMO/PMO (Client-Side Secondment)

People Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

People Group in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Cost Manager or Quantity Surveyor to join the Commercial PMO as Commercial Lead, driving cost governance and strategic commercial excellence across a core portfolio of capital projects.

This client‑facing role will shape budgeting, forecasting and reporting, collaborating with project teams, procurement, finance and senior stakeholders to ensure projects are accurately budgeted and effectively governed.

Qualifications

• Experienced Cost Manager or Quantity Surveyor with strong commercial background.
• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Cost Management, or related discipline; MRICS preferred.
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills with ability to present complex information.

Responsibilities

• Provide commercial oversight across a portfolio of capital projects, ensuring consistent cost management processes and reporting.
• Develop and maintain project budgets, forecasts, cash flow projections and financial performance reporting.
• Produce benchmarking and cost intelligence to support investment decisions and future project planning.
• Monitor project budgets, commitments, contingency allowances, risks and change control throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support procurement activities by providing commercial analysis and cost advice.
• Maintain and continuously improve commercial data, reporting systems and cost databases to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Analyse programme performance using reporting tools and dashboards, identifying trends, risks and opportunities.
• Produce high-quality reports and commercial insights for senior stakeholders and programme leadership.
• Build collaborative relationships across project teams, consultants and client representatives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance commercial performance, governance and sustainability objectives.

Skills

Cost management

Budgeting

Forecasting

Commercial reporting

Excel

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Procurement knowledge

Contract management

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying

MRICS accreditation

Tools

Excel

Job description

Operations Director (Client-Side Secondment)

An outstanding opportunity has arisen for an experienced Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to join a high-profile commercial real estate programme as the Commercial Lead, working directly within the Programme Management Office (PMO) of a leading global corporate occupier.

This is a client-facing role where you will play a key part in shaping commercial strategy, providing robust cost governance and supporting the successful delivery of a diverse portfolio of capital projects. Working alongside senior programme leadership, you will help drive consistency, transparency and commercial excellence across multiple projects.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working in a strategic environment, influencing decision-making through data, commercial insight and best practice.

The Opportunity

As part of the Commercial PMO, you will support the programme's commercial leadership by delivering cost management, financial reporting and portfolio-level commercial controls. You will work closely with project teams, procurement, finance and client stakeholders to ensure projects are accurately budgeted, effectively governed and commercially successful.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide commercial oversight across a portfolio of capital projects, ensuring consistent cost management processes and reporting.
• Develop and maintain project budgets, forecasts, cash flow projections and financial performance reporting.
• Produce benchmarking and cost intelligence to support investment decisions and future project planning.
• Monitor project budgets, commitments, contingency allowances, risks and change control throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support procurement activities by providing commercial analysis and cost advice.
• Maintain and continuously improve commercial data, reporting systems and cost databases to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Analyse programme performance using reporting tools and dashboards, identifying trends, risks and opportunities.
• Produce high-quality reports and commercial insights for senior stakeholders and programme leadership.
• Build collaborative relationships across project teams, consultants and client representatives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance commercial performance, governance and sustainability objectives.

About You

You will be an experienced Cost Manager or Quantity Surveyor with a strong commercial background and the ability to operate confidently within complex capital programmes.

You will ideally have:

• A degree in Quantity Surveying, Cost Management or a related discipline.
• MRICS or working towards professional accreditation.
• Proven experience in cost planning, estimating, forecasting and commercial management.
• Strong understanding of procurement, contracts and project financial controls.
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills with the ability to interpret and present complex information.
• Experience producing portfolio-level commercial reporting and performance analysis.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the confidence to influence senior decision-makers.
• A proactive, analytical approach with a focus on delivering value and continuous improvement.

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to work within a globally recognised corporate real estate environment.
• Exposure to a major capital investment programme with significant strategic impact.
• Collaborative, client-facing role with excellent career development opportunities.
• Work alongside industry-leading professionals on complex and high-value projects.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.