Cost Manager

Are you an experienced Cost Manager looking to make a real impact within the UK's infrastructure sector? We are expanding our commercial team and are seeking Cost Managers to support the delivery of major infrastructure programmes, with a particular focus on the Water and Environment sector.

We're looking for professionals who thrive in a collaborative, outcome-focused environment and enjoy working closely with clients, consultants and contractors to deliver successful project outcomes. This opportunity is ideal for someone who wants to be part of a growing team, contribute to shaping our future success, and work on projects that make a positive difference to communities and the environment.

The roles can be based from any of our offices in: Cardiff, Bristol, London, Winchester, Reading, Oxford, Cheltenham, Cambridge, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester or Newcastle.

What you need to do to be effective in this role

• Work collaboratively within integrated project teams alongside clients, contractors and multidisciplinary consultants.
• Lead and support cost management activities across the full project lifecycle.
• Prepare and manage cost plans, estimates and benchmarks, applying whole-life costing principles where appropriate.
• Administer NEC3/NEC4 contracts, supporting both pre-contract and post-contract commercial activities.
• Support the management of payment applications, cost control, forecasting, change management, risk and value management processes.
• Assist project teams in managing early warnings, compensation events and commercial risk.
• Provide data-driven cost and commercial insight to support informed decision-making.
• Produce high-quality commercial reporting, including performance metrics, earned value management (EVM) and outturn cost analysis.
• Identify opportunities to improve value, optimise costs and enhance commercial outcomes for clients.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients and industry stakeholders.
• Support business growth through networking, market engagement and identifying new opportunities.
• Contribute positively to a collaborative team environment and support the development of colleagues.

Skills and experience you need to have for this role

• Infrastructure experience, specific focus on Water and Environment background (this is essential), other sectors are also desirable (energy, transport, defence).
• Strong cost management experience across major infrastructure programmes.
• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Candidates will be associate or full members of RICS (or an appropriate professional institution) or be committed to obtaining chartered status.
• Have both site and office-based experience on a variety of infrastructure projects.
• Successful applicants will have a background on pre and post contractual administration of the NEC3/NEC4 forms of contract. NEC Accredited is desired but not essential.
• Be collaborative, with a can-do, problem-solving attitude.
• The aspiration to join a growing team where the prospect of contributing to something new excites you.
• Have an understanding and have used cost software including, but not limited to CostX, CEMAR etc.
• Have an understanding of the Construction Playbook, Value Toolkit, Project 13 and Public Procurement regulations.

Ridge is a Built Environment Consultancy. We provide our clients with access to a wide range of integrated expertise and professional disciplines to help them transform the quality and sustainability of the built environment.

Our people make what we do possible, helping us lead the way with quality, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit. That’s why we challenge them to be the best they can be and offer exceptional training and career development opportunities at all levels.

Ridge and Partners LLP
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