Cost Manager - Highways in Bristol

We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for a Permanent Cost Manager with highways maintenance and/or structures experience to join our client’s Specialist Bridges Inspection and Maintenance (SBIM) contract based in Bristol, supporting the iconic Severn, Prince of Wales, and Avonmouth Bridges (BS35 4BD). The SBIM contract delivers specialist inspection and maintenance programmes on behalf of National Highways, providing a unique opportunity to work on some of the UK’s most significant bridge structures. This long-term opportunity is ideally suited to a proactive and hands-on Quantity Surveyor or Commercial Manager looking to play a key role in delivering commercial success across complex infrastructure projects.

In this role, you will be responsible for securing additional revenue through the effective management of the quotation process under the NEC4 Term Service Contract. You will operate within a fast-paced, high-volume environment, producing accurate quotations, managing change, liaising with clients and supply chain partners, and supporting month-end reporting activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain effective valuation and commercial processes throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring the accurate and timely production of quotations.
• Ensure compliance with commercial processes, procedures, and governance requirements.
• Work closely with Project Managers to ensure robust quotation and commercial management processes are consistently followed.
• Deliver opportunity and risk assessments pre- and post-contract, including implementing effective risk mitigation strategies.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with the client, promoting a “one team” approach.
• Monitor and support compliance with project commercial KPIs.
• Provide guidance and support to project teams on contractual obligations and measurement rules.
• Communicate effectively with clients and internal stakeholders to support successful project delivery and strengthen our client’s reputation.
• Report directly to the Principal Commercial Manager.
• Collaborate with key supply chain partners to develop and implement strategies that enhance service delivery and commercial performance.

What We’re Looking For

• A positive and proactive approach that aligns with collaborative working values.
• Strong experience and working knowledge of NEC contracts.
• Excellent commercial awareness and problem-solving capabilities.
• The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A focus on driving efficiency, innovation, and continuous improvement.

If you are an experienced commercial professional looking to work on nationally significant infrastructure projects within a collaborative and forward-thinking environment, we would love to hear from you.

Ardour Associates values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application. Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.