Senior Manager - Cost Planning

Overview

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage external cost consultants (e.g., Currie & Brown, AECOM) to ensure high-quality deliverables and alignment with programme requirements
• Develop, review, and challenge cost plans, estimates, and benchmarks across all design stages
• Ensure consistent and structured cost reporting, aligned with programme standards and stage-gate requirements
• Oversee measurement, quantification, and take-offs from drawings and digital models
• Validate cost assumptions, rates, and methodologies used by consultants, ensuring they are robust, justified, and benchmarked (e.g., BCIS standards)
• Facilitate effective information flow between internal teams and consultants, ensuring all parties have the required inputs for accurate cost planning
• Contribute to stage gate reviews, programme milestones, and internal governance processes
• Engage with internal stakeholders and developers to justify cost positions, explain variances, and support decision-making
• Support the development and implementation of cost benchmarking frameworks, templates, and best practices

Candidate Profile

• Strong consultancy-side background, with significant post-contract experience
• Demonstrated expertise in cost planning for transportation/Linear infrastructure
• Solid grounding in Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement (CESMM)
• Proven ability to operate in a complex, multidisciplinary programme environment

Key Skills & Requirements

• Expertise in take-offs, measurement, and quantification from drawings and digital models
• Advanced experience in infrastructure cost planning and estimating
• Proficiency in tools such as CostX (or equivalent digital measurement platforms)
• Strong understanding of benchmarking methodologies (e.g., BCIS)
• Ability to manage interfaces across multiple disciplines in large-scale programmes
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, particularly in client-facing and developer interactions
• Professional accreditation such as RICS or AIQS preferred