At a Glance
- Tasks: Support cost assurance reviews on major projects using NEC contracts and digital tools.
- Company: Join Arcadis, a global leader in sustainable design and consultancy.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, career development, and a commitment to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable solutions while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Quantity Surveying or related field; experience with NEC contracts preferred.
- Other info: Empower your career in a diverse and innovative environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. We are more than 36,000 people, in over 70 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world's most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.
As a Cost Consultant within our Cost and Commercial Assurance (CCA) practice, you will support assurance reviews on major programs, focusing on NEC3/NEC4 Option C (Target Cost) and/or Option E (Cost Reimbursable) contracts. You will apply core Quantity Surveying skills and commercial audit techniques to validate costs, strengthen contract controls, and provide actionable insights. This role combines traditional QS expertise with digital tools to improve efficiency and transparency. Hybrid working with occasional travel to client sites.
Role Accountabilities:
- Assist in planning and delivering cost and commercial assurance reviews on NEC Option C/E projects, including open-book validation, pain/gain calculations, fee/risk allowances, and disallowed costs.
- Support payroll/timesheet audits and cost verification across labor, plant, materials, and subcontractors; reconcile samples to source records and test rates, accruals, and invoices.
- Review compensation events, early warnings, and target movements; provide evidence-based analysis to support dispute avoidance.
- Assess contract compliance and commercial control frameworks; contribute to recommendations for process, data, and reporting improvements.
- Prepare clear findings reports and simple dashboards for project teams; present outcomes and assist in closing actions.
- Use data and low-code/no-code tools (e.g., Excel/Power Query, Power BI) to automate testing and analytics that improve efficiency.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or related field; progress toward professional membership (RICS/CICES or equivalent).
- Experience with NEC3/NEC4 contracts (Option C and/or Option E) and exposure to commercial or payroll audits on projects or frameworks.
- Core QS skills (measurement, estimating, valuation, change control, forecasting) with ability to interpret datasets and trace costs to source evidence.
- Proficiency with Excel and data analysis; interest in Power BI or similar tools and curiosity for low-code/no-code solutions.
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with ability to challenge constructively and support corrective actions.
Nice to have:
- Experience using Power Query/Power Automate; basic SQL or Python exposure; sector experience in infrastructure (e.g., transport, water, energy).
We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone's contribution matters. It’s why we are pioneering a skills-based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximize the impact we can make together. You'll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you'll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark, on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you. Together, we can create a lasting legacy.
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.
Cost Consultant – Commercial Assurance & NEC Expertise in London employer: Arcadis
Contact Detail:
Arcadis Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cost Consultant – Commercial Assurance & NEC Expertise in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how valuable personal connections can be in landing that Cost Consultant role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on NEC3/NEC4 contracts and your core QS skills. We recommend practising common interview questions and scenarios related to cost assurance reviews to show you’re ready to tackle the challenges head-on.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your digital skills! Familiarise yourself with tools like Power BI and Excel, and be ready to discuss how you’ve used them in past projects. We want to see how you can leverage technology to improve efficiency and transparency.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Cost Consultant – Commercial Assurance & NEC Expertise in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Cost Consultant role. Highlight your experience with NEC contracts and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background in Quantity Surveying makes you a perfect fit. Let us know what excites you about working at Arcadis!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to mention your proficiency with tools like Excel, Power BI, or any low-code solutions. We love candidates who are tech-savvy and can leverage digital tools to improve efficiency. Show us what you've got!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arcadis
✨Know Your NEC Contracts
Make sure you brush up on NEC3 and NEC4 contracts, especially Options C and E. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, as this will show your expertise and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your QS Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your core Quantity Surveying skills like measurement, estimating, and change control. Use specific instances where you've successfully traced costs to source evidence to demonstrate your analytical abilities.
✨Get Comfortable with Data Tools
Familiarise yourself with Excel, Power BI, and any low-code/no-code tools. Be prepared to discuss how you've used these tools to automate processes or improve efficiency in previous roles, as this aligns with what the company is looking for.
✨Engage and Communicate Effectively
Practice your communication skills, especially in how you present findings and engage with stakeholders. Think of ways to challenge constructively and support corrective actions, as this will be key in your role as a Cost Consultant.