Senior Cost Assurance Consultant

Arcadis; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Arcadis, a global leader in sustainable design, engineering and consultancy, seeks a Senior Cost Consultant for our Cost and Commercial Assurance practice in the UK. You will support assurance reviews on major programs, focusing on NEC3/NEC4 Option C (Target Cost) and/or Option E (Cost Reimbursable) contracts, applying QS skills and commercial audit techniques to validate costs and strengthen controls.

This role combines traditional QS expertise with digital tools, including Excel/Power Query

Qualifications

• Degree in Quantity Surveying or related field.
• RICS/CICES membership or equivalent.
• Experience with NEC3/NEC4 Option C/E contracts.
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver cost and commercial assurance reviews on NEC Option C/E projects.
• Support payroll/timesheet audits and cost verification across labor, plant, materials, and subcontractors.
• Review compensation events, early warnings, and target movements with evidence-based analysis.
• Assess contract compliance and contribute to process improvements.
• Prepare findings reports and dashboards for project teams.
• Use data and low-code/no-code tools to automate testing and analytics.

Skills

Data analysis

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Attention to detail

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management

RICS/CICES membership

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Power Query

Power Automate

SQL

Python

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

As a Senior Cost Consultant within our Cost and Commercial Assurance (CCA) practice, you will support assurance reviews on major programs, focusing on NEC3/NEC4 Option C (Target Cost) and/or Option E (Cost Reimbursable) contracts. You will apply core Quantity Surveying skills and commercial audit techniques to validate costs, strengthen contract controls, and provide actionable insights. This role combines traditional QS expertise with digital tools to improve efficiency and transparency. Hybrid working with occasional travel to client sites.

Role Accountabilities

• Plan and deliver cost and commercial assurance reviews on NEC Option C/E projects, including open‑book validation, pain/gain calculations, fee/risk allowances, and disallowed costs.
• Support payroll/timesheet audits and cost verification across labor, plant, materials, and subcontractors; reconcile samples to source records and test rates, accruals, and invoices.
• Review compensation events, early warnings, and target movements; provide evidence‑based analysis to support dispute avoidance.
• Assess contract compliance and commercial control frameworks; contribute to recommendations for process, data, and reporting improvements.
• Prepare clear findings reports and simple dashboards for project teams; present outcomes and assist in closing actions.
• Use data and low‑code/no‑code tools (e.g., Excel/Power Query, Power BI) to automate testing and analytics that improve efficiency.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or related field
• Professional membership (RICS/CICES or equivalent).
• Experience with NEC3/NEC4 contracts (Option C and/or Option E) and exposure to commercial or payroll audits on projects or frameworks.
• Core QS skills (measurement, estimating, valuation, change control, forecasting) with ability to interpret datasets and trace costs to source evidence.
• Proficiency with Excel and data analysis; interest in Power BI or similar tools and curiosity for low‑code/no‑code solutions.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with ability to challenge constructively and support corrective actions.
• Experience using Power Query/Power Automate; basic SQL or Python exposure; sector experience in infrastructure (e.g., transport, water, energy).