Senior Cost Planner – Leading London Developer
Location: London
Salary: Competitive Basic Salary + Comprehensive Package
Position: Permanent
The Opportunity
An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Cost Planner to join a leading London residential developer and play a key role in shaping the commercial strategy and viability of major developments from the earliest stages.
The initial focus will be a substantial waterfront regeneration scheme in East London, forming part of a long‑term masterplan delivering thousands of new homes alongside extensive public realm, landscaping and supporting infrastructure.
You will also contribute across a wider pipeline of major residential, mixed‑use, student accommodation and affordable housing schemes, giving you exposure to a diverse portfolio of developments at different stages of planning, design and pre‑construction.
This is a highly influential position where your work will directly inform land appraisals, design development, procurement strategy and key investment decisions.
The Role
As Senior Cost Planner, you will take ownership of cost planning and early‑stage commercial analysis across major development opportunities.
You will work closely with Development, Design, Technical, Planning and Commercial teams to establish robust construction budgets, test design options and provide clear commercial advice as projects evolve.
This is not simply an estimating role. You will be expected to challenge assumptions, interrogate design proposals, identify commercial risks and opportunities and help shape schemes that are both commercially viable and deliverable.
Your cost advice will play an important role in supporting senior stakeholders when assessing development options, investment decisions and procurement strategies.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the preparation of feasibility estimates, cost plans and development budgets
- Take ownership of cost planning from early concept through design and pre‑construction
- Support land and development appraisals with robust construction cost advice
- Establish clear assumptions, exclusions, risks and opportunities within cost plans
- Analyse emerging designs and advise on the commercial implications of different solutions
- Challenge specifications and construction methodologies where appropriate
- Lead value engineering exercises while protecting quality and design intent
- Maintain and develop accurate benchmarking and cost databases
- Use current market intelligence to validate budgets and assumptionsEngage with contractors, subcontractors and suppliers to test market pricing
- Support procurement strategy and package planning
- Identify and report cost risks as schemes progress through design
- Monitor changes to scope and assess their impact on project budgets
- Prepare clear commercial reports and recommendations for senior management
- Work collaboratively across Development, Design, Technical and Commercial teams
About You
The successful candidate will ideally have:
- Strong experience in Senior Cost Planning, Pre‑Construction or Estimating
- A proven track record on substantial residential, mixed‑use or regeneration developments
- Experience taking ownership of cost plans from early feasibility through design development
- Excellent understanding of construction costs, benchmarking and market pricing
- Strong knowledge of value engineering and cost optimisation
- Experience supporting development appraisals and project viability assessments
- The ability to analyse incomplete or evolving design information and establish reliable budgets
- Strong commercial judgement and attention to detail
- Confidence challenging assumptions and influencing multidisciplinary teams
- Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills
- The ability to present complex cost information clearly to senior decision‑makers
Why Join?
This is an opportunity to work at the front end of major London development and have genuine influence over how schemes are shaped before construction begins.
Rather than joining a traditional delivery‑focused commercial team, you will sit at the point where development strategy, design and commercial viability come together.
The position offers
- Initial involvement in a major waterfront regeneration programme
- Exposure to schemes delivering thousands of new homes
- Influence over projects from feasibility and land appraisal onwards
- Direct involvement in major investment and development decisions
- A diverse pipeline across residential, mixed‑use, PBSA and affordable housing
- Close collaboration with senior Development, Design, Technical and Commercial teams
- Significant autonomy and responsibility for major cost plans
- Long‑term opportunity within a leading London developer
What’s on Offer
- Competitive basic salary
- Performance‑related bonus
- Pension
- Exposure to major London regeneration projects
- Strong professional development and career progression
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Senior Cost Planner employer: AW Recruitment
As a leading employer in the London residential development sector, we offer Project Quantity Surveyors the chance to work on landmark projects with substantial financial backing and a strong pipeline of future developments. Our culture promotes genuine career progression, allowing ambitious professionals to take ownership of significant packages while benefiting from comprehensive support and mentorship from experienced leaders. With competitive benefits, including performance-related bonuses and private healthcare, we are committed to fostering a rewarding and dynamic work environment for our employees.
