Lead Cost Manager

Summary

We have a brand new exciting opportunity for a highly experienced Lead Cost Manager to join our Property team. You will be part of a Cost Management function that manages £350‑450m of Cap Ex per year. This role is pivotal in ensuring the financial success and value for money of our developments from inception through to completion.

The portfolio will include projects in excess of £50m, predominantly new store fit‑outs, but also store renewals or freehold acquisitions. To stay close to our customers and colleagues, support teams work in the office for at least three days a week, fostering collaboration and creativity.

• Lead project cost planning, tendering and financial governance, ensuring robust cost control and successful board approvals.
• Manage project budgets, valuations, variations and final accounts to deliver projects on or below budget while driving continuous cost savings.
• Develop and implement procurement strategies, supporting tender evaluations, contractor appointments and commercial negotiations.
• Identify and mitigate commercial, contractual and supply‑chain risks, ensuring compliance and successful project delivery.
• Drive value engineering, cost benchmarking and data analysis, while building strong relationships with internal teams, consultants and contractors to optimise project outcomes.

• MRICS, Degree qualified, or equivalent in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or a related discipline.
• An experienced commercial professional with a strong track record of managing cost planning, tendering and value engineering across retail and construction projects.
• Highly knowledgeable in construction methodologies, project delivery, procurement and the wider built environment.
• Commercially astute, with the ability to develop business cases, interpret financial appraisals and NPV data, and make value‑driven recommendations.
• A confident communicator with strong risk‑management expertise and the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels.

• 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many third‑party brands for you and a household member.
• Competitive holiday entitlement with the option to purchase extra days.
• Discretionary bonus schemes based on personal objectives and company performance.
• A generous Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and Life Assurance.
• A dedicated welcome program with a tailored induction and a wide range of training programmes.
• Perks and discounts via the M&S Choices portal to maximise personal wellbeing.
• Industry‑leading parental, adoption and neonatal policies.
• Wellbeing support, including a 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist.
• A charity volunteer day to support a chosen cause.

Everyone’s welcome. We are ambitious about the future of retail, disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We strive to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by colleagues, customers and suppliers.

We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together.

If you feel you would benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know when completing your application. Your information will be used to help you be at your best throughout the process.