Project Cost Consultant - London & South East

Arcadis; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering and consultancy firm in Birmingham seeks a Cost Manager to support cost management services for infrastructure projects. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of experience, preferably in Rail, Highway, or Aviation sectors, with strong analytical and communication skills. The role involves managing cost monitoring, variance analysis, and preparing commercial reports. Additionally, you will assist senior colleagues and identify risks, ensuring effective financial management. Join us to help deliver sustainable solutions and create a lasting legacy.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in cost or commercial management within infrastructure.
• Experience in Rail, Highway or Aviation sectors advantageous.
• Experience with NEC3/NEC4 contracts required.
• Strong technical capability for data analysis and cost information interpretation.
• Effective interpersonal skills for collaboration across teams.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of cost management services across various projects.
• Manage cost monitoring and variance analysis for projects.
• Prepare cost plans, budgets, and commercial reports.
• Assist in managing small to medium scale projects.
• Identify risks and escalate issues as necessary.

Skills

Cost management

Analytical skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying

Job description

Arcadis is the world’s leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. We are more than 36,000 people, in over 70 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world’s most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.

Role description

Our Mobility Commercial Management team is growing, creating an excellent opportunity to work across a varied portfolio of Rail, Highway and Aviation projects throughout the UK. You will be responsible for small projects or defined elements of larger cost management commissions, ensuring all work is delivered to agreed standards and in line with client expectations. The role includes regular site engagement (typically 2–3 days per week across the London area) and requires strong analytical skills, clear communication and confidence when working with contractors, consultants and internal teams.

Role accountabilities

• Support the delivery of cost management services across Rail, Highway and Aviation projects within the Mobility portfolio.
• Manage cost monitoring, forecasting and variance analysis for allocated projects, working within established financial processes.
• Prepare and contribute to cost plans, budgets, estimates and commercial reports to support effective decision‑making.
• Assist senior colleagues with the management of small to medium‑scale commissions or key components of larger assignments.
• Identify risks, issues and commercial challenges, escalating to senior team members where appropriate.
• Provide guidance on risk and compliance principles, ensuring work aligns with organisational procedures.
• Build effective working relationships with clients, contractors and internal stakeholders through clear and professional communication.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by helping to refine cost management processes and promote service innovation.

Qualifications & Experience

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in cost or commercial management within infrastructure, transport or construction projects.
• Experience within the Rail, Highway or Aviation sectors is advantageous.
• Experience working with NEC3/NEC4 contracts, including application of contract mechanisms, managing compensation events and supporting compliant commercial delivery is a must.
• Strong technical capability, with the ability to analyse data, interpret cost information and produce accurate commercial documentation.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to prioritise workload, work independently and remain organised under pressure.
• Solid understanding of construction processes and cost management methodologies.
• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
• Near‑attainment or attainment of a relevant professional qualification (e.g., RICS); CSCS card holder or willingness to obtain.

Why Arcadis?

We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone’s contribution matters. It’s why we are pioneering a skills‑based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximise the impact we can make together. You’ll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you’ll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark, on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you. Together, we can create a lasting legacy. Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day which is why we take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people. We believe that by working together diverse people with different experiences develop the most innovative ideas. Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of how we improve quality of life and we work closely with our people across six ED&I Workstreams: Age, Disability, Faith, Gender, LGBT+ and Race. A diverse and skilled workforce is essential to our success.