Assistant Cost Manager

Department: Commercial / Operations

Reporting to: Director of Commercial

Employment Type: Full-time

Our client is an established international technical engineering and construction business operating across the UK, Ireland, North America and Mainland Europe.

The business delivers design and build projects for major end-user clients across technically complex sectors including Data Centres, Advanced Manufacturing, Logistics, Food and Pharmaceutical.

With a strong focus on project delivery, safety, quality and commercial performance, the company works closely with clients and supply chain partners to deliver complex projects efficiently and to a high standard.

The Assistant Cost Manager will support the Cost Manager and wider Commercial team in managing project cost control activities from preconstruction through to project completion.

The role will provide hands-on support across cost planning, budgeting, forecasting, change management, procurement and financial reporting.

You will work closely with Project Managers, Estimators, Cost Managers, subcontractors and Finance teams to maintain accurate project cost information and support effective commercial decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

The ideal candidate will have a strong analytical mindset, excellent attention to detail, a positive attitude and the ability to learn and adapt within a fast-paced construction environment.

• Assist with developing, monitoring and updating project budgets and cost plans.
• Support the preparation of detailed cost reports, forecasts and variance analyses.
• Track committed costs, approved changes and forecasted expenditure.
• Assist with maintaining accurate cost-to-complete reporting.
• Help identify potential cost risks and escalated issues to the Cost Manager.

• Assist in reviewing change order requests and subcontractor variations for accuracy and completeness.
• Support the documentation and processing of project changes.
• Maintain and update project change logs.
• Assist with evaluating the cost impact of changes and variations.
• Work with project and commercial teams to ensure changes are properly documented and communicated.
• Support the Cost Manager during negotiations with clients and subcontractors.

• Assist with the preparation of tender packages and bid documentation.
• Support bid evaluations and subcontractor award recommendations.
• Assist with subcontractor procurement and cost comparisons.
• Support contract administration and ensure cost information is accurately captured in project systems.
• Assist in identifying value engineering opportunities and monitoring subcontractor performance.
• Develop an understanding of market conditions and construction cost trends.
• Assist in producing monthly cost reports and project financial summaries.
• Support cash flow projections and earned value reporting.
• Assist with reconciling field progress, accounting data and project forecasts.
• Collaborate with Finance on accruals, cost reconciliations and project audits.
• Maintain accurate project cost records and supporting documentation.
• Assist the Cost Manager in preparing financial information for project and executive leadership review.
• Work closely with Project Management, Estimating, Commercial and Finance teams to support project cost objectives.
• Build effective working relationships with subcontractors, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Assist with communicating project cost performance and forecasts.
• Participate in project meetings and provide relevant cost information as required.
• Contribute to lessons-learned sessions, benchmarking activities and continuous improvement initiatives.