At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial management for exciting lab and research projects, ensuring cost efficiency.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking Life Sciences & Research team in Oxford.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities to mentor and grow within a diverse team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on groundbreaking scientific projects while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Chartered status or working towards it, with QS experience in lab environments.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € per year.
Our Life Sciences & Research Cost Management team is expanding in Oxford, and we’re looking for a Project Cost Manager to lead commercial management for complex laboratory, research, and specialist science environments. This is an opportunity to work closely with world‑class national and international clients, supporting the delivery of new builds, refurbishments, and fit‑outs within operational scientific settings. This position suits an experienced Quantity Surveying professional who thrives on managing every stage of the commercial process in technically demanding, regulated projects — from initial cost planning and procurement, through to on‑site cost management and final account closure. You’ll be involved in a diverse range of projects, including flagship research facilities and fast‑track science programmes.
Role Accountabilities
- Take full responsibility for commercial management across assigned projects, overseeing cost plans, cash flow analysis, and forecasting throughout the project lifecycle.
- Develop detailed cost estimates, feasibility studies, and benchmarking analyses tailored to the unique demands of life sciences and laboratory projects.
- Manage tender processes, evaluate contractors, and negotiate commercial terms to secure best value.
- Oversee valuation and payment applications, administer variations, and ensure stringent cost control at every stage.
- Maintain and update project risk registers and change control logs, providing proactive commercial insights to clients and multidisciplinary teams.
- Produce clear, concise commercial reports and cost projections for client presentations and strategic decisions.
- Work collaboratively with design and delivery teams to identify value engineering opportunities and manage cost risks.
- Champion the use of digital tools (such as CostX and 5D BIM) to enhance accuracy and efficiency in cost management and benchmarking.
- Mentor and support junior QS team members, contributing to the continuous improvement of processes and best practice within the team.
Qualifications & Experience
- Chartered status (MRICS preferred) or working towards professional qualification.
- Demonstrable QS experience on laboratory, research, or highly serviced (MEP‑intensive) facilities.
- Strong background in cost planning, forecasting, procurement, and contract administration.
- Excellent commercial acumen, with hands‑on experience resolving cost challenges and managing project variations.
- Effective communicator, comfortable presenting financial positions to clients and contractors alike.
- Familiarity with digital cost management platforms (e.g., CostX, 5D BIM) and benchmarking is advantageous.
- Willingness to provide support across Oxford, as well as Cambridge, London, and other locations as required.
Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day which is why we take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people. We believe that by working together diverse people with different experiences develop the most innovative ideas. Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of how we improve quality of life and we work closely with our people across six ED&I Workstreams: Age, Disability, Faith, Gender, LGBT+ and Race. A diverse and skilled workforce is essential to our success.
Project Cost Manager - Oxford in Birmingham employer: Arcadis
As a leading employer in the Life Sciences & Research sector, we offer an exceptional work environment in Oxford that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion ensures that every employee can thrive and contribute their unique perspectives, while our focus on professional development provides ample opportunities for growth and mentorship. Join us to work on cutting-edge projects with world-class clients, all within a supportive and dynamic team culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Cost Manager - Oxford in Birmingham
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals in your field. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to meet potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience with cost management and any digital tools like CostX or 5D BIM. Bring examples of your work or case studies that demonstrate your expertise in managing complex projects.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and understanding their projects. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their needs, especially in commercial management and cost control. Practice common interview questions and think about how you can showcase your problem-solving abilities.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to exciting projects in life sciences and research.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Cost Manager - Oxford in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in cost management, especially in laboratory or research environments. We want to see how your skills align with the specific demands of the role!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use quantifiable results to demonstrate how you’ve managed costs effectively in previous projects. This helps us see the impact you've made in your past roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that makes it easy for us to understand your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arcadis
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Project Cost Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in cost planning and forecasting. Brush up on your financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets in previous projects. Prepare specific examples that showcase your ability to deliver accurate cost estimates and manage cash flow effectively.
✨Showcase Your Technical Savvy
Familiarity with digital tools like CostX and 5D BIM is a big plus for this role. Make sure you can talk about your experience with these platforms and how they've helped you enhance accuracy in cost management. If you have any success stories or challenges you've overcome using these tools, share them!
✨Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is key in this role, especially when presenting financial positions to clients and contractors. Practice articulating complex financial information in a clear and concise manner. Consider doing mock presentations to get comfortable with explaining your cost management strategies and insights.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This position requires working closely with multidisciplinary teams. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with design and delivery teams in the past. Highlight any experiences where you identified value engineering opportunities or managed cost risks through teamwork, as this will show your ability to contribute positively to the project environment.
