Cost Planner

Key Responsibilities

• The Estimator / Cost Planning Manager assumes commercial and functional management.
• Overseeing the pre-construction cost planning process.
• Developing and implementing best-practice estimation methodologies.
• Driving value engineering initiatives and managing commercial risk registers on major tenders.
• Responsible for tender sign-off and bid strategy alignment.
• Engaging in client negotiation on project costs.
• Acting as a commercial liaison for external stakeholders.

Cost Planning

• Utilise and support the development of the company’s preferred cost planning software and tools.
• Be proficient in taking off quantities using the Bovis measurement software.
• Collaborate with the commercial team to secure market prices for trade packages and analyse these against cost plan allowances.
• Prepare, review, and analyse preliminaries for first and second stage bids.
• Incorporate programming requirements, methodology, phasing, and associated implications into cost plans and preliminaries.
• Accurately quantify and price cost plans from Development Brief / Feasibility stage through to Contract Price with the preferred contractor.
• Manage external consultants (EQ Bill of Quants Consultancy).
• Prepare design fees with support from the relevant Design Manager.
• Prepare tender documentation for submission.
• Prepare cost plan commentary and supply key information to Bid Managers.
• Ensure that scope, assumptions, and pricing are clearly documented throughout all cost planning stages.

Design and Cost Control

• Support project teams with change control and major variations during conversion and delivery stages.
• Continuously analyse the design against cost plan assumptions, design briefs/target metrics, and benchmark projects.

Bidding and Strategy

• Lead or support a bid as a Cost Planner either independently or as part of a team.
• Support compliance of the cost plan with brief, authority, financiers’, and customer requirements during the conversion stage.

Data / Analytics

• Support the updating of design and cost KPI's.
• Support benchmarking data and workstreams.
• Contribute to the development of best practices, standards, knowledge bases, sector expertise, industry trends, yardsticks, and benchmarks.
• Produce written narratives outlining key insights derived from cost and benchmarking analysis.

Credentials

• Maintain CSCS card for the role.
• Currently holding, or working towards a related Chartership such as MRICS / MCIOB.

Essential Skills, Knowledge, Experience & Behaviours

• Skills: Ability to influence and lead teams, read drawings and construction design information, data analysis, document control, negotiation, presentation skills, problem solving, process compliance, quantity take-off, strong commercial acumen, tendering subcontract works packages, time management, value engineering, written and verbal communication.
• Knowledge: Ability to contribute to value engineering, allocation of scope to trade packages, produce detailed prelim forecasts, understand and apply cost planning & financial procedures, understanding of various procurement routes.
• Experience: Proven track record of working on various bid stages, reviewing subcontractor tender offers, building inflation models, coordinating multiple trade packages, preparing cost plans at various RIBA stages, presenting to stakeholders, understanding and using benchmarking data.
• Behaviours: Flexibility and openness of approach, attention to detail, analytical thinking, ownership of reporting, providing constructive challenge and feedback.

We will provide:

• Car allowance
• Flexible and hybrid work options
• Up to 10% employer pension contribution
• Private medical health benefit
• Life assurance
• 25 days annual leave with the option to buy or sell additional days
• 3 days wellbeing leave in addition to annual leave
• Health and wellbeing support and initiatives
• 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounted gym membership to over 2,500 gyms nationwide
• Industry leading parental leave