Senior Cost Manager

This is a Senior Quantity Surveyor job for an experienced Senior Cost Manager to work on healthcare and life sciences projects based from Didcot, Oxfordshire. The role offers responsibility across the full project lifecycle, team leadership duties, and long-term career progression within a leading construction consultancy environment. Hybrid working is available, with 3 days office-based and 2 days working from home, subject to site visit requirements.

The Senior Cost Manager will work on complex healthcare, NHS and life sciences construction projects, including new-build and refurbishment schemes. Projects typically include laboratories, clinical environments and specialist science facilities, delivered through traditional and design and build procurement routes from feasibility through to completion.

This senior QS job is a client-facing consultancy role with responsibility for leading cost management services and supporting junior team members. Duties will include:

• Leading the delivery of full quantity surveying and cost management services across multiple projects
• Preparing and reviewing estimates and cost plans using NRM methodologies
• Leading procurement and tender processes, including tender documentation and value for money reports
• Negotiating contract terms and conditions under NEC and JCT forms on behalf of clients
• Managing contracts from appointment through to final account
• Undertaking and reviewing monthly valuations and assessments for payment
• Managing construction phase cost control, including variations, change management and negotiations with contractors
• Producing and presenting cost reports, cashflows and financial forecasts to clients and stakeholders
• Supporting business cases and cost submissions for public sector and NHS funding approvals
• Attending site meetings and coordinating closely with project managers, designers and contractors
• Actively leading value engineering and risk management activities, including structured risk workshops
• Managing and mentoring junior quantity surveyors and cost managers
• Managing delivery of QS services within agreed fee levels and identifying potential scope or fee changes early

This quantity surveyor vacancy will suit an experienced Senior Cost Manager with a consultancy background. Suitable candidates are likely to demonstrate:

• Strong experience in a senior quantity surveying or cost management role
• Proven delivery of healthcare, life sciences or complex construction projects
• In-depth knowledge of UK procurement routes and contract forms
• Experience managing two-stage and competitive tender processes
• Excellent commercial awareness and financial management capability
• Confidence leading client meetings and managing key stakeholders
• Ability to manage workload independently while supporting team development

Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or a related discipline. Chartered status (MRICS, MCIOB or equivalent) is preferred. A full UK driving licence is advantageous.

The employer is a well-established multidisciplinary construction and property consultancy operating across the UK and internationally. The business specialises in delivering technically complex projects within regulated sectors such as healthcare, life sciences and education. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, innovation and professional development, the consultancy offers employees exposure to high-quality client-side projects, structured career progression and a supportive working culture.