Senior Cost Manager / Associate - Utilities

Rider Levett Bucknall; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Competitive salary

Private healthcare

APC mentoring

Season ticket loan

Training & development

Job summary

Rider Levett Bucknall is seeking a Senior Cost Manager / Associate for its Utilities practice in London. The role focuses on commercial management, cost modelling, strategy, procurement, governance, and client engagement across regulated and non-regulated utility projects.

You will lead multi-disciplinary teams, shape market positioning, and contribute to bids while embedding best practice across projects. Hybrid working and a supportive APC/mentoring environment are offered.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or similar construction related technical discipline
• Chartered / Professionally Qualified (or working towards MRICS/MCInstCES/MCIOB preferred)
• Significant experience in delivering commercial services on major utility infrastructure programmes
• Strong understanding of electricity, water, wastewater or multi-utility environments (including regulated and non-regulated)
• Experience in commercial management and the delivery of projects in the regulated marketplace and de-regulated marketplace

Responsibilities

• Lead the successful delivery of projects within the Utilities sector - power, water, telecoms, district energy, gas, renewables and emerging energy infrastructure.
• Commercial Leadership & Strategy
• Commercial Governance & Assurance
• Bid Leadership & Market Development
• Pre-Contract & Procurement
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement
• Team Leadership
• Contribute to the financial performance of projects and the wider business, including revenue and profitability.
• Promote efficiency, effectiveness and best practice across projects and teams.
• Keep up to date with current thinking and best practice within the discipline.
• Work closely with clients, contractors and project teams to deliver projects successfully and on budget.
• Associate level requires demonstrable leadership experience across people, projects and business

Skills

Client-facing

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Team leadership

Financial acumen

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying or related

MRICS/MCInstCES/MCIOB preferred

Job description

Senior Cost Manager / Associate - Utilities

Application Deadline: 7 December 2026

Department: Cost Management

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: London

Description

Title: Senior Cost Manager / Associate

Sector: Utilities & Energy

Discipline: Cost / Commercial Management

Reporting to: Partner

Location: London (With Hybrid Working)

Why RLB?

At RLB, we live by four simple ideas: Truth, Trust, Together, Tomorrow. Four values that live at the heart of RLB. A place where People Make Progress.

We value your skills, talents and unique perspectives – we think they are priceless.

Bring them to RLB and you’ll be empowered to shape our future and your career in new and meaningful ways.

We’ll give you opportunities to work on some of the most ambitious and exciting projects currently being designed and developed in the built environment sector.

You’ll continue to learn and advance as everyone who works for us is provided with a tailored training programme. Our mentoring and reverse mentoring schemes will enable you to share your expertise while gaining fresh insights.

What makes RLB unique is our inclusive culture. As an independent, employee‑owned business, teamwork and collaboration lies at the heart of everything we do. Hybrid and flexible working arrangements and family‑friendly policies are just some of the ways we invest in employee wellbeing.

Join us and you will thrive personally as well as professionally.

Role Overview

Our Utilities Consultancy team is built around three integrated specialisms: Commercial management, Project Delivery, and Technical/Regulatory service. The Commercial function provides strategic advice and cost/commercial management services across regulated and non‑regulated utility environments, supporting high‑value infrastructure and digital asset projects.

We are seeking experienced individuals to strengthen and grow our Commercial Utility Consultancy team. The role will suit a commercially astute, client‑facing individual with deep knowledge of utility procurement, infrastructure cost modelling, and lifecycle commercial strategy. The role will involve you shaping our market positioning, supporting major bids, and embedding commercial best practice across utility and energy programmes. The role demands high‑level strategic thinking, hands‑on leadership, and the ability to influence both client‑side and internally at RLB. There are critical leadership roles available which will contribute to RLB’s ambitious growth within the utilities sector.

• Support the successful delivery of projects within the Utilities sector,
• Pre and Post Contract Quantity Surveying
• Strategic cost planning and management
• Procurement and contract administration
• Financial reporting and risk management
• Stakeholder engagement and collaboration
• Benchmarking and market intelligence
• Systems and process improvement
• Compliance and governance
• Contribute to the financial performance of projects and the wider business, including revenue and profitability.
• Promote efficiency, effectiveness and best practice across projects and teams.
• Keep up to date with current thinking and best practice within the discipline.
• Work closely with clients, contractors and project teams to deliver projects successfully and on budget.
• Comply with established Commercial, Procurement, Contractual strategies.

Role Responsibilities

• Lead the successful delivery of projects within the Utilities sector - power, water, telecoms, district energy, gas, renewables and emerging energy infrastructure.
• Commercial Leadership & Strategy
• Commercial Governance & Assurance
• Bid Leadership & Market Development
• Pre-Contract & Procurement
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement
• Team Leadership
• Contribute to the financial performance of projects and the wider business, including revenue and profitability.
• Promote efficiency, effectiveness and best practice across projects and teams.
• Keep up to date with current thinking and best practice within the discipline.
• Work closely with clients, contractors and project teams to deliver projects successfully and on budget.
• Associate level requires demonstrable leadership experience across people, projects and business

Candidate Profile

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or similar construction related technical discipline
• Chartered / Professionally Qualified (or working towards MRICS/MCInstCES/MCIOB preferred)

Experience

• Significant experience in delivering commercial services on major utility infrastructure programmes.
• Strong understanding of electricity, water, wastewater or multi‑utility environments (including regulated and non‑regulated).
• Experience in commercial management and the delivery of projects in the regulated marketplace and de‑regulated marketplace.
• Proven track record in managing multi‑disciplinary teams and client relationships.
• Proficient in procurement advisory, cost planning, contract management and dispute resolution.
• Proven experience in managing high voltage Transmission and Distribution projects.
• Extensive experience in delivering EHV projects (132kV, 275kV, and 400kV), grid connections, and other utility‑scale projects.
• Good working knowledge of the UK Transmission & Distribution ecosystem, including the DNO/IDNO landscape, and major players in the ICP market.
• Experience with standard construction contracts (e.g., Fidic, JCT).
• Proven track record in tendering and managing major projects.

Behaviours

• Recognised as a client focused, positive collaborator who shares knowledge freely and offers support to their peers and seniors. Recognised as a team player with a strong willingness to learn.
• Demonstrates a positive and proactive approach to the role, and will be committed to delivering customer service excellence, with good commercial results.

RLB Employee Benefits

Hybrid Working - Working patterns to support your work‑life balance. As well as competitive maternity and paternity packages.

Well‑Rewarded - A competitive salary and generous holiday entitlement. As well as the opportunity to purchase up to five extra days.

Focus On Wellbeing - We offer a number of health and wellness options, including gym membership and cycle to work schemes.

Healthcare Packages - Private healthcare insurance and medical support, including dental insurance and eyecare vouchers.

Personal Development - A continuous learning and development programme, including established APC and in‑house mentoring schemes.

Additional Benefits - We offer a wide range of benefits including a season ticket loan and professional membership subscriptions.

Exceptional Exposure - You’ll have the opportunity to work on diverse projects across different sectors and regions.

Social Responsibility - We hold team and social events as well as charity fundraising and volunteering activities.

Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment

We believe in building a diverse and inclusive environment where each person can be themselves, feel valued for their contribution and be challenged and supported to reach their full potential. We have a responsibility to support the communities in which we live and work, and that our workforce should reflect these communities and our clients. Our talent strategy should enable us to overcome bias in the construction industry by recruiting, retaining, developing, and promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce. Find out more here: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - RLB | Europe

If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you during any stage of the application or interview process, please contact our recruitment team at: [e-mail]