Associate Cost Manager

Role description:

Arcadis is seeking an experienced and commercially focused Associate Cost Manager to join our Places Cost Management team.

Our Places business delivers sustainable, resilient and people-focused environments where communities live, work, learn and thrive. We partner with public and private sector clients across commercial, residential, mixed-use, education, healthcare, science and technology, regeneration, defence, local government and public sector estates projects.

As an Associate Cost Manager, you will lead the delivery of major commissions and client accounts, acting as a trusted advisor on complex cost and commercial matters. You will provide strategic leadership across projects and programmes, develop long-term client relationships, mentor high-performing teams and contribute to the growth and success of the Places business.

This role requires a combination of technical excellence, commercial acumen, leadership capability and a passion for delivering better outcomes for clients and communities.

• Lead the delivery of complex cost management commissions across major development and infrastructure programmes.
• Provide strategic cost, commercial and procurement advice from business case through to project completion.
• Oversee cost planning, benchmarking, estimating, risk management, value engineering, change control and final account resolution.
• Provide commercial leadership on large-scale and high-profile projects that require senior stakeholder engagement.
• Ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality, commercially focused advice that supports client decision-making

• Act as the senior point of contact for key clients and strategic accounts.
• Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders, project sponsors and delivery partners.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships and generate new business opportunities.
• Support account planning and contribute to the growth of the Places portfolio.
• Represent Arcadis at industry events, client forums and networking activities.

• Provide leadership, direction and mentorship to Cost Consultants and Quantity Surveyors across the business.
• Take line management responsibility for team members, supporting career development and performance management.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing team culture.
• Promote knowledge sharing and technical excellence across regional and national teams.
• Support recruitment, succession planning and capability growth initiatives within the Places business

• Lead the preparation of fee proposals, commercial bids and strategic pursuits.
• Take responsibility for commission performance, including revenue, profitability and utilisation.
• Contribute to business planning and growth strategies across the Places market sectors.
• Support innovation and service development initiatives that enhance client value and operational efficiency.
• Actively contribute to achieving regional and national business performance targets.

• Provide oversight and assurance of project deliverables across multiple commissions.
• Ensure compliance with Arcadis governance procedures and professional standards.
• Lead commercial risk identification and mitigation strategies.
• Review and approve key project outputs before submission to clients.
• Drive continuous improvement of cost management processes, systems and best practice methodologies.

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Cost Management or a related built environment discipline.
• MRICS or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Significant consultancy experience delivering cost management services within the built environment sector.
• Proven experience leading large and complex programmes, developments or portfolios.
• Strong understanding of construction procurement, contracts, risk management and commercial strategy.
• Demonstrable experience managing senior client relationships and strategic accounts.
• Experience leading, mentoring and developing multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.

• Experience across multiple Places sectors including commercial development, residential, education, healthcare, public sector estates, regeneration and mixed-use developments.
• Existing market profile and professional network within the UK property and construction sector.
• Experience leading…