At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cost management for impactful health and research projects across the UK and Europe.
- Company: Join Arcadis, a global leader in sustainable design and consultancy.
- Benefits: Empowering work culture, career growth, and meaningful contributions to society.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare infrastructure while shaping your career.
- Qualifications: MRICS Quantity Surveyor or equivalent with experience in large-scale projects.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 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 variations.
- Oversee 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 databases.
- Proven track record of managing projects from initial concept to completion, with a focus on building strong client relationships.
- Proficient 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 Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, United Kingdom + 1 more Cost Manage[...] 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, the company fosters a culture of collaboration and mentorship, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development. Join us to be part of a team that values your unique skills and empowers you to create a lasting legacy through meaningful work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Cost Manager-Edinburgh Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, United Kingdom + 1 more Cost Manage[...]
✨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 Manager-Edinburgh Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, United Kingdom + 1 more Cost Manage[...] at Poutrix.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Cost Manager-Edinburgh Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, United Kingdom + 1 more Cost Manage[...]
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!
