Senior Cost Manager / Associate - Highways & Infrastructure in England

Department: Cost Management

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Birmingham

Reporting To: Partner / Project Lead

Description Title: Senior Cost Manager / Associate Cost Manager

Sector: Highways & Infrastructure

Seniority: Senior Cost Manager / Associate

Discipline: Cost Management

Location: Birmingham team base initially; transitioning to Bedford based, with at least three days per week in Bedford

Project: Confidential Major Project subject to signed NDA

Role Overview: RLB is acting as a strategic delivery partner for a major UK development programme. The commission includes programme-wide PMO, governance, reporting, project controls, risk and change management, digital tools, and the integrated delivery of individual packages including project management, cost management, procurement, design management, health and safety advisory and contract administration. We are seeking experienced client-side roads, highways and infrastructure cost management professionals, from Senior Cost Manager / Senior Quantity Surveyor through to Associate level, to support cost planning, estimating, procurement, commercial management, NEC contract administration and handover of a critical Roads & Bridges package.

Role Responsibilities:

• Client-Side Commercial Leadership & Cost Management: Lead, or support the leadership of, client-side commercial management for the Roads & Bridges package from design, estimating and procurement through construction, handover and close-out. Maintain ownership of defined cost, procurement, contract, change, risk, forecasting and reporting outcomes, proportionate to role level. Coordinate commercial inputs across client, consultant, contractor, statutory authority and internal RLB teams. Establish clear commercial priorities, decision routes and governance rhythms to support timely client decisions and effective cost control.
• Highways, Bridges & Infrastructure Cost Assurance: Provide commercial and cost management input for highways, roads, bridges, earthworks, drainage, utilities interfaces and associated infrastructure works. Apply knowledge of relevant UK infrastructure standards, including DMRB and local authority highway requirements. Support cost assurance, design reviews, constructability reviews, estimating, procurement readiness and commercial delivery readiness assessments. Ensure design, procurement and delivery solutions are commercially robust, buildable, cost-effective and aligned to programme objectives.
• Operational Railway Interfaces: Assess and manage the commercial implications of interfaces where works are in proximity to operational railways, including possessions, access constraints, asset protection requirements, approvals, safety protocols and interface risk management.
• Live Highways Environment & Logistics: Assess and manage the commercial implications of works affecting or adjacent to live highways environments, including traffic management, temporary works, site access, public interface, road safety, abnormal loads and construction logistics.
• Best Practice Delivery & Productivity: Embed RLB’s model for major programme delivery, using UK private-sector best practice as the starting point for excellence. Champion early supply chain engagement, outcome-based delivery, fair risk allocation, value-based procurement and disciplined change control. Promote digital information management, BIM-aligned working, productivity measurement, modern methods of construction and whole-life carbon awareness where appropriate.
• Stakeholder, Approvals & Interface Management: Work with the Project Manager to ensure the management of interfaces with National Highways, Network Rail, local authorities, utility providers, adjacent packages and internal programme functions, and ensure these are captured within the budget and cost forecasts.
• Procurement, NEC Contract Administration & Change Control: Support procurement strategy, lead tender documentation, commercial evaluation and appointment processes for design and construction contracts. Administer or support the commercial administration of NEC contracts, including early warnings, compensation events, payment assessments, change control, forecasting and commercial issue resolution. Work closely with cost management, project management, risk and delivery colleagues to protect client outcomes and maintain clear commercial records.
• Risk, Reporting, Governance & Assurance: Identify, manage and escalate commercial, cost, contract, change, and programme risks. Manage the commercial aspects of reporting including cost plans, cost forecasts, Value Engineering, cash flow drawdown, change, risk, procurement status. Support robust governance, cost assurance, change control, audit-ready records, lessons learned and continuous improvement across the programme.

Essential Experience:

• Proven cost management / quantity surveying experience on roads, highways, bridges or major civil infrastructure projects in a client-side, consultancy, contractor or public-sector infrastructure environment.
• Experience working on complex multi-stakeholder programmes with statutory authority, utility, rail and highways interfaces.
• Robust financial management skills and commercial acumen, including Work Breakdown Structures, cost planning, estimating, cash flow forecasting, change control, cost-to-complete exercises and monthly client reporting.
• Experience of NEC forms of contract, including early warnings, compensation events, payment assessment and change management, is highly desirable.
• For Senior Cost Manager / Senior QS level: ability to lead defined commercial workstreams and manage cost planning, procurement and post-contract responsibilities with limited supervision.
• For Associate level: ability to take overall commercial lead responsibility across one or more packages, manage team members and senior stakeholders, support early resolution of commercial issues and take accountability for client-side commercial outcomes.

Technical Skills & Competencies:

• Understanding of UK highways and infrastructure delivery requirements, including DMRB, local authority highways and bridge-related design / delivery processes.
• Practical understanding of working near operational railways, live highway environments, traffic management and construction logistics.
• Strong estimating, cost planning, procurement, NEC contract administration, change management, cost reporting, forecasting, stakeholder and interface management capability.
• Able to translate technical, contractual and financial considerations into clear advice for senior team members, clients and external stakeholders.

Behaviours:

• Client-focused, collaborative mindset, positive and accountable.
• Strong communication skills to internal team and external client/contractors.
• Able to operate with pace while maintaining safety, quality and governance discipline.
• Calm under pressure and comfortable working in complex, evolving programme environments.
• Committed to customer service excellence and strong commercial results.

Qualifications:

• Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Civil Engineering or related qualification preferred, or equivalent infrastructure commercial experience.
• Membership of an appropriate professional body such as RICS is desirable.

Commitment:

• Full-time role initially aligned with the Birmingham team, transitioning to a Bedford-based project role as the programme mobilises.
• Close coordination with client, statutory authorities, contractors, consultants and RLB leadership.
• Role title and seniority to be confirmed based on candidate capability and business need.
• The wider team is generally London and Birmingham based; however, this role will require attendance in Bedford at least three days per week once mobilised.

RLB Employee Benefits:

• Hybrid Working – Working patterns to support your work-life balance, including competitive maternity and paternity packages.
• Well-Rewarded – A competitive salary and generous holiday entitlement, with the option to purchase up to five extra days.
• Focus On Wellbeing – Health and wellness options, including gym membership and cycle to work schemes.
• Healthcare Packages – Private healthcare insurance and medical support, including dental insurance and eyecare vouchers.
• Personal Development – Continuous learning and development programme, including established APC and in-house mentoring schemes.
• Additional Benefits – A wide range of benefits including a season ticket loan and professional membership subscriptions.
• Exceptional Exposure – Opportunity to work on diverse projects across different sectors and regions.
• Social Responsibility – Team and social events, charity fundraising and volunteering activities.

Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment: We believe in building a diverse and inclusive environment where each person can be themselves, feel valued for their contribution and be challenged and supported to reach their full potential. We have a responsibility to support the communities in which we live and work, and that our workforce should reflect these communities and our clients. Our talent strategy should enable us to overcome bias in the construction industry by recruiting, retaining, developing, and promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce.