Senior Cost Intelligence Manager

Cumming Group Infrastructure Ltd; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cumming Group Infrastructure Ltd in Cardiff is seeking a cost management professional to support day-to-day delivery on complex projects, focusing on cost estimation, benchmarking and data-driven insights.

You will prepare cost reports, develop cost models, manage cost databases and provide leadership to the project team while upholding HSE and QA standards. Experience with MS 365 and cost estimating systems is preferred, with MRICS/RICS qualifications advantageous.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in construction, cost management or related field.
• RICS accreditation or equivalent experience is preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to identify trends and data anomalies.
• Experience with cost estimating and benchmarking in construction.

Responsibilities

• Provide cost estimation, cost plans and cost reports for projects.
• Prepare client reports and dashboards for governance.
• Develop cost models, cost rates and engineering definitions.
• Manage cost databases and data quality across systems.
• Lead cost intelligence activities and support bid/tender work.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Teamwork

Independence

Data analysis

Presentation

Integrity

Time management

Leadership

Client facing

Education

Degree in construction/cost management/engineering/quantity surveying

RICS MRICS / CaSA qualification

Tools

MS Excel

MS 365

Cost estimating systems

Project databases

Measurement systems

Job description

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Assume day - to - day delivery support for projects and demonstrate the ability to take on tasks without supervision. Strengthen our service delivery capability and promote knowledge capture, sharing and innovation. Prepare budget estimates, cost plans, cost reports and client reports. Provide cost assurance services through data analysis, data cleansing, estimating and benchmarking. Preparation of cost and benchmark estimates. Preparation of cost rates, cost models and engineering definitions. Manager preparation of bespoke cost hierarchies, cost breakdowns and methods of measurements. Produce dashboard reports for external clients. Manage data capture, storage, analysis and reporting. Cost database management and maintenance. Costing tools development. Manage the internal cost intelligence database systems. Monitor industry and economic cost trends and maintain index register. Deliver all work outputs in an accurate and timely manner to a high standard of quality. Support the implementation of strategic initiatives at service and sector level. Ensure service delivery in accordance with the policies and procedures of the business, particularly Health and Safety and Quality Assurance. Provide services in compliance with the client's corporate governance procedures where applicable. Achieve all objectives as required by the annual performance review process. Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development and continuous improvement. Work to deadlines set by the Project Team Leader. Ensuring filing of project correspondence is maintained in accordance with requirements. Mentor and support team members, ensuring that staff and new starters are developed to support the successful growth of the business and development of their career. Ensure change control processes for the services we provide. Populate and submit accurate timesheets with useful descriptions weekly. Manage the delivery of work through proactive involvement where appropriate and through performance management of personnel to ensure work is completed in a timely manner to a high-quality standard. Support the forecast of work through proactive management of the CI Programme. Provide leadership to the staff, where required. Resolve conflicts of priorities and personalities relating to work with the appropriate Associate or Director. Provide costed risk, Monte Carlo simulations and optimism bias assessments. Contribute to bid and tender preparation and business development.

Knowledge & Skills Required:

Communicate effectively and able to negotiate confidently with all levels of internal and external stakeholders. Cope with demanding and changing timeframes. Excellent team worker able to contribute own thoughts and ideas. Able to work independently and provide progress updates. Dependable in high pressure situations. Passionate about adding value to cost intelligence services. Comfortable working with multiple sources of data and information. Driven to continuously improve and provide innovative solutions. Ability to present complex information to a variety of audiences, including senior management. Self-learner and able to share knowledge verbally and in writing. Demonstrate a high degree of integrity. Prioritise and self-manage with ability to work in a high-pressure environment. Manage conflicting priorities and organise workloads in conjunction with the appropriate Director Lead a team Able to deliver results in a client facing role. Create a close-knit team

Preferred Education and Experience:

Preferably degree qualified: construction, cost management, engineering, quantity surveying or other RICS accredited degree. RICES/MRICS/CaSA other equivalent qualification or experience. Excellent core technical skills. Highly motivated, conscientious and inquisitive. Excellent ability in handling and investigating data with an ability to identify trends, patterns and data anomalies and suggest possible next steps. Objective, evidence-based decision-making skills. Strong interpersonal and team building skills. Strong interpersonal skills with both staff and clients. Strong analytical skills, sound judgement and aptitude for forward planning. Energetic and motivated with natural drive and an innovative flair, resourcefulness and ability to adapt to change. Strong ability to think clearly and make reasoned decisions, explaining the logic employed. Excellent oral and written communication and developing presentation skills. Excellent knowledge of construction industry technical matters with circa 5 years plus post qualification experience. Good awareness of construction contracts and best practice within the industry. Advanced IT skills including MS 365 with a good understanding of Excel and automating processes. Good awareness and experience of cost estimating systems, project databases and measurement systems. Meticulous in reviewing and validating cost data, ensuring accuracy and identifying discrepancies to maintain data integrity. Experience of managing people and delivering multiple or complex projects.

Note for Recruitment Agencies: We prefer to hire directly, and we will be in touch with our PSL Agencies if this role is eligible for release.

At Cumming Group, we are passionate about helping our clients execute large-scale, complex projects on-time and within budget. Our project and cost-management services are specifically tailored to each client’s needs and add meaningful value at every step of a project’s development. Drawing on deep expertise in the communities and sectors we serve, we anticipate and solve problems, deliver solutions, and drive results. Since opening our doors in 1996, Cumming Group has grown to 50+ offices globally and is now home to more than 3,000+ team members – including many of the brightest minds in the industry.

Cumming Group is committed to creating a diverse workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All job applicants will receive equal treatment without regard to age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, "race" (includes nationality, national / ethnic origin, colour), marriage & civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, gender assignment, religion and belief.

Cumming Group is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunities through its personnel policies and practices. It is Cumming Group’s policy to recruit, hire, train and promote Team Members and applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, race (including colour, nationality, ethnicity or national origin), religion or belief, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, disability, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave or any other protected characteristic under UK and European law. All such decisions are based on (1) individual merit, qualifications, and competence as they relate to the particular position, and (2) promotion of the principle of equal employment opportunity.