At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cost management for impactful health and life science projects across the UK and Europe.
- Company: Join Arcadis, a global leader in sustainable design and consultancy.
- Benefits: Empowering work culture, career development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape the future of healthcare infrastructure while advancing your cost management career.
- Qualifications: MRICS Quantity Surveyor or equivalent experience in construction project management.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ 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 34,000 people, in over 30 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.
We’re growing our Health, Life Science & Research Cost Management team and are seeking a talented Senior Cost Manager to join us in Edinburgh. This is your opportunity to make a real impact—delivering high-profile projects that range from complex international programmes to innovative national commissions for leading clients.
Your expertise in cost management, strategic planning, estimating, and budgeting will be key as you develop detailed cost plans, undertake feasibility assessments, benchmark costs, and provide robust procurement support. You’ll evaluate contractor proposals, oversee contract management, and ensure all variations are managed efficiently through construction to successful project handover.
This position offers the chance to provide advanced commercial and quantity surveying guidance across the UK and Europe, with a current focus on London, Oxford, and Cambridge, and opportunities across our wider network. From early-stage design (RIBA Stage 1) through to project delivery, you’ll collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams, mentor junior colleagues, and help ensure timely, on-budget completions.
Role Accountabilities
- Lead quantity surveying and commercial cost management services for clients in health, life science, research, and related sectors.
- Prepare detailed cost estimates, feasibility analyses, and benchmark studies; develop and manage comprehensive cost plans.
- Contribute to procurement activities, evaluate tenders, negotiate contractor proposals, and manage contract changes and cost control throughout construction and project handover; advise on value engineering and whole-life costing solutions.
- Foster close collaboration amongst design, engineering, and project delivery teams; support and mentor junior staff.
Qualifications & Experience
- MRICS Quantity Surveyor or equivalent professional qualification; we also welcome applicants with substantial commercial experience from diverse backgrounds.
- Demonstrated experience managing medium to large-scale construction projects; sector experience in research, life sciences, or healthcare is an advantage.
- Strong cost estimating abilities and familiarity with industry rates, benchmarking, and cost control.
- Track record of managing projects from initial concept to completion, with a focus on building strong client relationships.
- Experience in digital cost management systems (such as CostX and 5D BIM); willingness to adopt new technologies is highly valued.
Ready to take the next step in your cost management career? Join us and help shape the future of science and healthcare infrastructure.
Why Arcadis?
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.
Join Arcadis. Create a 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.
Senior Cost Manager-Edinburgh employer: Poutrix
Arcadis is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Edinburgh where your contributions directly impact high-profile projects in health and life sciences. With a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, we empower our employees to thrive through mentorship, collaboration, and innovative practices, ensuring meaningful career growth and the opportunity to make a lasting legacy in sustainable design and consultancy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Cost Manager-Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Arcadis and understanding their projects and values. We want to see your passion for sustainable solutions and how your skills align with their mission. Tailor your responses to show you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. We can help you with common questions and scenarios specific to cost management roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. We believe that a little courtesy can make a big impression.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Cost Manager-Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Cost Manager role. Highlight your experience in cost management, strategic planning, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention any specific experiences that relate to health, life sciences, or research sectors.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use numbers and examples to demonstrate how you've successfully managed projects, controlled costs, or improved processes. We love seeing tangible results!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Poutrix
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Cost Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in cost management. Brush up on your knowledge of industry rates, benchmarking, and cost estimating techniques. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past projects where you successfully managed costs and delivered value.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
This role requires close collaboration with various teams. Prepare to share experiences where you've worked effectively with design, engineering, and project delivery teams. Highlight how you mentored junior colleagues and contributed to a positive team environment.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect questions about digital cost management systems like CostX and 5D BIM. Familiarise yourself with these tools and be prepared to discuss how you've used technology to enhance your cost management processes. Showing a willingness to adopt new technologies will impress your interviewers.
✨Align with Their Values
Arcadis places a strong emphasis on equality, diversity, and inclusion. Research their initiatives and be ready to discuss how your values align with theirs. Share your thoughts on how a diverse workforce can lead to innovative solutions in cost management and project delivery.
