At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cost management and commercial strategy for exciting urban real estate projects.
- Company: Join The Crown Estate, managing iconic properties and creating community value.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, private healthcare, and 28 days holiday.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for innovation and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable developments in a high-profile organisation.
- Qualifications: Experience in cost management within construction or property sectors.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
About The Crown Estate
At The Crown Estate, we manage land and property on behalf of the nation, creating lasting value for communities, businesses and the environment. Our urban portfolio includes some of London’s most iconic destinations, and our Capital Projects team plays a vital role in delivering sustainable, high-quality developments and refurbishments across our estate.
The Role
We are seeking a Commercial & Cost Manager to support the delivery and performance of capital projects across our Urban Real Estate portfolio. Working closely with the Senior Hard Services Director and wider Capital Projects team, you will play a key role in leading cost management, commercial strategy and financial performance across a diverse programme of projects, including refurbishments, engineering and public realm initiatives. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced commercial professional to take a portfolio-wide view of capital delivery within a high-profile, purpose-led organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the management and delivery of capital expenditure programmes, tracking cost, programme and commercial performance across multiple projects.
- Lead the development and management of cost plans, budgets and forecasts, ensuring alignment with business plans and approvals.
- Own and maintain the capital pipeline and master programme, benchmarking performance against historical data and market trends.
- Provide commercial insight and challenge, ensuring risks are identified, quantified and appropriately incorporated into projections.
- Lead cost reporting, including monthly reporting, dashboards and presentations to senior leadership and joint venture partners.
- Support the development of the three-year business plan, working closely with Portfolio and Project Managers to define requirements and assumptions.
- Manage cost control processes across the full project lifecycle, from planning and design through to construction and handover.
- Track and report variances against business plans, identifying key drivers and recommending corrective actions.
- Collaborate with finance, risk and delivery teams to ensure robust governance, controls and compliance with company policies.
- Support the development and continuous improvement of project controls, reporting systems and commercial dashboards.
- Build strong relationships with contractors, consultants and supply chain partners to ensure value delivery and performance.
- Contribute to health & safety governance and participate in project control forums.
About You
- Experience in a commercial, cost or programme management role within the construction or property sector.
- Strong understanding of cost management, budgeting, forecasting and commercial risk.
- Experience managing multiple projects or programmes simultaneously, with a portfolio-wide perspective.
- Commercially astute with strong analytical and quantitative skills.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and challenge effectively.
- Confident communicator, with the ability to present complex information clearly to senior stakeholders.
- Proactive, detail-oriented and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
Qualifications (or working towards)
- Degree in Finance, Accounting, Construction Cost Management or a related discipline.
- Relevant professional experience within the construction or real estate industry.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills; experience with Power BI (desirable).
- Knowledge of construction contracts and procurement processes (preferred).
What We Offer
- The opportunity to work on prestigious, large-scale capital projects across a nationally significant estate.
- A collaborative and forward-thinking environment focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- A role where your work directly contributes to the long-term performance and sustainability of The Crown Estate’s portfolio.
Our Offering / benefits:
As well as a competitive salary, pension and performance related bonus offering, we have a wealth of benefits available ranging from flexible working; market leading family policies and shopping discounts in the West End, to private healthcare; life and critical illness cover and 28 days holiday with the option to buy more. We value work life balance and your wellbeing highly, enabling you to be your best self to work.
Disability Disclaimer: We are a proud disability confident employer and operate the offer of interview scheme Disability Confident employer scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). We are happy to offer alternative application methods or formats and can be flexible on our process to enable you to have the best opportunity.
Please note that if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close this advert early. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Commercial & Cost Manager – Urban Real Estate in London employer: The Crown Estate
The Crown Estate is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment where your contributions directly impact the sustainability and performance of iconic urban developments in London. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, competitive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth, you will thrive in a culture that values innovation and teamwork while working on prestigious capital projects that shape communities and enhance the environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial & Cost Manager – Urban Real Estate in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the construction and real estate sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching The Crown Estate and their projects. Understand their values and recent developments. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! As a Commercial & Cost Manager, you'll need to communicate complex information clearly. Grab a friend or use a mirror to rehearse how you'd present your ideas and insights to senior stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining The Crown Estate team. Get your application in early to beat the rush!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial & Cost Manager – Urban Real Estate in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Commercial & Cost Manager role. Highlight your experience in cost management and project delivery, as this will show us you’re a great fit for our team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about urban real estate and how your background makes you the perfect candidate. Be sure to mention specific projects or achievements that demonstrate your expertise.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires strong analytical abilities, don’t shy away from including examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles. We love seeing candidates who can back up their claims with solid evidence!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Crown Estate
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial & Cost Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in cost management. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed budgets and forecasts in previous roles. Use specific examples to showcase your analytical skills.
✨Understand the Project Lifecycle
Familiarise yourself with the full project lifecycle from planning to handover. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve contributed to each stage in past projects, especially in terms of cost control and risk management. This will show that you have a comprehensive understanding of the role.
✨Build Relationships
Stakeholder management is crucial in this role. Think about how you've built strong relationships with contractors and consultants in the past. Prepare to share examples of how these relationships have led to successful project outcomes, as this will highlight your collaborative approach.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll need to present complex information to senior stakeholders. Practice explaining your past projects and their financial implications in a clear and concise manner. This will help you convey your confidence and ensure that your insights are understood and valued.
