Cost Management Team Lead - Wellington

AECO; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Extra annual leave up to 6 weeks

Volunteer and representation leave

Flexible public holidays

Job summary

AECOM's Wellington Cost Management practice seeks a Principal/Director-level Quantity Surveyor or Cost Manager to lead the Wellington team, partnering with clients and multidisciplinary teams to deliver outstanding commercial outcomes.

You'll drive proposals, client presentations and strategic growth while mentoring the next generation of Cost Management professionals across New Zealand and the national practice.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying or Cost Management.
• Significant experience in cost management / quantity surveying, ideally in a consulting environment.
• Chartered or professional membership such as NZIQS, RICS or equivalent.
• Proven experience leading Cost Management services and managing project resources, budgets and timelines.
• Strong senior client relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and leading proposals, submissions and client presentations and contributing to winning work.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Wellington Cost Management team, supporting capability, performance and professional development.
• Lead Cost Management services across major projects, providing senior commercial and technical leadership.
• Manage resources, budgets, timelines, risk and commercial performance.
• Build trusted senior client relationships and identify opportunities for future work.
• Lead and prepare proposals, submissions and client presentations, contributing to major pursuits and winning work.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of AECOM's national Cost Management practice.
• Collaborate across AECOM's wider business and global network to bring the right expertise to our clients.
• Embrace AI, digital tools and emerging technologies to evolve how Cost Management is delivered.
• Mentor and develop the next generation of Cost Management professionals.

Skills

Quantity Surveying

Cost Management

Leadership

Client relationships

Business development

Education

Degree in QS/Cost Management

Tools

CostX

Excel

MS Office

Job description

Lead the commercial thinking behind some of New Zealand’s most significant projects.

What if your next career move gave you the opportunity to lead a high-performing Cost Management team, work with some of New Zealand’s most significant clients and help shape the future of AECOM’s Cost Management practice?

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. Join a global team of over 50,000 professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

The Opportunity

AECOM's New Zealand Cost Management practice is looking for a Principal / Director-level Quantity Surveyor or Cost Manager to lead our Wellington team. Reporting to the Cost Management Practice Lead and as a member of our national Cost Management leadership team, you'll combine technical expertise, people leadership, client relationships and business development to help grow our Wellington and national capability.

You’ll work across a diverse portfolio of projects and sectors, leading resources, budgets and timelines while partnering with clients and multidisciplinary teams to deliver outstanding commercial outcomes.

You’ll also play a hands-on role in developing proposals, leading client presentations, winning new work and business strategy.

How You'll Make a Difference

• Lead the Wellington Cost Management team, supporting capability, performance and professional development.
• Lead Cost Management services across major projects, providing senior commercial and technical leadership.
• Manage resources, budgets, timelines, risk and commercial performance.
• Build trusted senior client relationships and identify opportunities for future work.
• Lead and prepare proposals, submissions and client presentations, contributing to major pursuits and winning work.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of AECOM's national Cost Management practice.
• Collaborate across AECOM's wider business and global network to bring the right expertise to our clients.
• Embrace AI, digital tools and emerging technologies to evolve how Cost Management is delivered.
• Mentor and develop the next generation of Cost Management professionals.

Qualifications

What You'll Bring

We're looking for an established Quantity Surveyor or Cost Management professional who combines strong technical and commercial expertise with leadership capability, client confidence and a genuine appetite for growth.

• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Cost Management or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in cost management / quantity surveying, ideally within a consulting environment.
• Chartered or professional membership such as NZIQS, RICS or equivalent.
• Proven experience leading Cost Management services and managing project resources, budgets and timelines.
• Strong senior client relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and leading proposals, submissions and client presentations and contributing to winning work.
• Strong commercial and financial management capability, including risk and project performance.
• Experience with PPP contracts would be highly regarded.
• Proven leadership capability, including mentoring and developing teams.
• Excellent communication, influencing and presentation skills.

If you're ready to lead a high-performing team, build lasting client relationships, win exciting work and help shape the future of Cost Management at AECOM, we'd love to hear from you.

Additional Information

Why this role

This is more than a senior Quantity Surveying or Cost Management role. It's an opportunity to lead a team, influence clients and help shape a national practice. You'll have the scope to combine project delivery and business growth — from leading complex commercial work and managing teams through to developing proposals, presenting to clients and securing new opportunities. As part of the national leadership team, you'll also have a voice in the future direction of the practice and access to AECOM's extensive expertise across New Zealand, Australia and the wider global network.

• Work on nation-shaping projects across New Zealand
• Be part of a connected national and global network of experts
• Flexible work arrangements aligned to role and client needs
• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year
• Volunteer and representation leave opportunities
• Flexible public holidays – swap days to suit your lifestyle

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, additional health or mental health needs, and/or neurodiverse conditions. If you require any adjustments during the hiring process, please let us know.

Applications are reviewed as they come in, and the role may close earlier than expected, so if this opportunity sounds like you, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options,well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options,well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.