Project Cost Manager

Poutrix; Oxford; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Arcadis is seeking a Project Cost Manager in Oxford to lead the commercial management of complex laboratory and life sciences facilities. You will steer cost plans, estimates, procurement and final accounts across the project lifecycle, from early-stage planning to final account settlement.

The role requires a Quantity Surveying background with MRICS preferred, strong communicator, and willingness to travel across Oxford, Cambridge, London, and other locations.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified Quantity Surveyor with Chartered status (MRICS) preferred, or actively working towards professional qualification.
• Proven Quantity Surveying or Cost Management experience within laboratory, research, life sciences, or highly serviced environments.
• Strong experience in cost planning, estimating, procurement, contract administration, and financial reporting.
• Demonstrable commercial acumen, including managing project variations, cost risks, and budget performance.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to present commercial information clearly to clients and contractors.
• Experience using digital cost management platforms such as CostX, 5D BIM, or similar tools is advantageous.
• Willingness to travel and provide support across Oxford, Cambridge, London, and other locations as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial management of assigned projects, overseeing cost plans, forecasting, cash flow analysis, and reporting throughout the project lifecycle.
• Prepare detailed cost estimates, feasibility studies, and benchmarking analyses for life sciences, laboratory, and specialist technical facilities.
• Manage tender processes, evaluate contractor submissions, and support commercial negotiations to secure best value outcomes.
• Administer valuations, payment applications, variations, and change control processes, ensuring effective cost management at every stage.
• Maintain project risk registers and commercial reporting, providing proactive advice to clients and project teams.
• Produce clear and accurate commercial reports, cost forecasts, and financial updates to support informed decision making.
• Collaborate with design and delivery teams to identify value engineering opportunities and mitigate commercial risks.
• Promote the use of digital cost management tools, including CostX and 5D BIM, to improve efficiency, accuracy, and benchmarking capability.
• Support and mentor junior team members, sharing best practice and contributing to the continuous improvement of team processes.

Skills

Cost management

Budget control

Tender management

Contract administration

Stakeholder management

Clear communication

Education

MRICS preferred

Tools

CostX

5D BIM

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 34,000 people, in over 30 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 Life Sciences & Research Cost Management team is growing in Oxford, and we are looking for a Project Cost Manager to support the commercial delivery of complex laboratory, research, and specialist science environments. This is an opportunity to work with leading national and international clients on new build, refurbishment, and fit-out projects within operational scientific facilities.

The role is suited to an experienced Quantity Surveying professional with a strong background in cost management and commercial delivery. You will take responsibility for projects throughout their lifecycle, from early-stage cost planning and procurement through to construction, cost control, and final account agreement. Projects will range from flagship research facilities to fast-paced science and technology programmes.

Role Accountabilities

• Lead the commercial management of assigned projects, overseeing cost plans, forecasting, cash flow analysis, and reporting throughout the project lifecycle.
• Prepare detailed cost estimates, feasibility studies, and benchmarking analyses for life sciences, laboratory, and specialist technical facilities.
• Manage tender processes, evaluate contractor submissions, and support commercial negotiations to secure best value outcomes.
• Administer valuations, payment applications, variations, and change control processes, ensuring effective cost management at every stage.
• Maintain project risk registers and commercial reporting, providing proactive advice to clients and project teams.
• Produce clear and accurate commercial reports, cost forecasts, and financial updates to support informed decision making.
• Collaborate with design and delivery teams to identify value engineering opportunities and mitigate commercial risks.
• Promote the use of digital cost management tools, including CostX and 5D BIM, to improve efficiency, accuracy, and benchmarking capability.
• Support and mentor junior team members, sharing best practice and contributing to the continuous improvement of team processes.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree-qualified Quantity Surveyor with Chartered status (MRICS) preferred, or actively working towards professional qualification.
• Proven Quantity Surveying or Cost Management experience within laboratory, research, life sciences, or highly serviced (MEP-intensive) environments.
• Strong experience in cost planning, estimating, procurement, contract administration, and financial reporting.
• Demonstrable commercial acumen, including managing project variations, cost risks, and budget performance.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to present commercial information clearly to clients and contractors.
• Experience using digital cost management platforms such as CostX, 5D BIM, or similar tools is advantageous.
• Willingness to travel and provide support across Oxford, Cambridge, London, and other locations as required.

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 maximize 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.

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