At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct cost assurance reviews and validate contracts using your Quantity Surveying skills.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking firm committed to equality, diversity, and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on major projects while utilising cutting-edge digital tools.
- Qualifications: Degree in Quantity Surveying or related field; experience with NEC3/NEC4 contracts.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Role Description
As a Senior Cost Consultant within our Cost and Commercial Assurance (CCA) practice, you will support assurance reviews on major programs, focusing on NEC3/NEC4 Option C (Target Cost) and/or Option E (Cost Reimbursable) contracts.
You will apply core Quantity Surveying skills and commercial audit techniques to validate costs, strengthen contract controls, and provide actionable insights.
This role combines traditional QS expertise with digital tools to improve efficiency and transparency.
Hybrid working with occasional travel to client sites.
- Role Accountabilities
- Plan and deliver cost and commercial assurance reviews on NEC Option C/E projects, including open‑book validation, pain/gain calculations, fee/risk allowances, and disallowed costs.
- Support payroll/timesheet audits and cost verification across labor, plant, materials, and subcontractors; reconcile samples to source records and test rates, accruals, and invoices.
- Review compensation events, early warnings, and target movements; provide evidence‑based analysis to support dispute avoidance.
- Assess contract compliance and commercial control frameworks; contribute to recommendations for process, data, and reporting improvements.
- Prepare clear findings reports and simple dashboards for project teams; present outcomes and assist in closing actions.
- Use data and low‑code/no‑code tools (e. g., Excel/Power Query, Power BI) to automate testing and analytics that improve efficiency.
Qualifications & Experience
- Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or related field.
- Professional membership (RICS/CICES or equivalent).
- Experience with NEC3/NEC4 contracts (Option C and/or Option E) and exposure to commercial or payroll audits on projects or frameworks.
- Core QS skills (measurement, estimating, valuation, change control, forecasting) with ability to interpret datasets and trace costs to source evidence.
- Proficiency with Excel and data analysis; interest in Power BI or similar tools and curiosity for low‑code/no‑code solutions.
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with ability to challenge constructively and support corrective actions.
- Experience using Power Query/Power Automate; basic SQL or Python exposure; sector experience in infrastructure (e. g., transport, water, energy).
- 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.
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Senior Cost Assurance Consultant employer: Poutrix
At Arcadis, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration across our UK-wide Ground Investigation team. With flexible location options in vibrant cities like Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Birmingham, we provide our employees with opportunities for professional growth, a strong commitment to health and safety, and a focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion. Join us to lead impactful projects while developing your skills and building meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues alike.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Cost Assurance Consultant
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Poutrix, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Senior Cost Assurance Consultant at Poutrix.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Cost Assurance Consultant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Poutrix
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
