Associate Cost Consultant - Local Authority

Description

As an Associate Consultant you will lead commercial management for local authority projects ranging from £1 million to £40 million, ensuring delivery within time, cost, and quality standards while building strong relationships with senior clients and stakeholders.

You will coach and develop team members, sharing knowledge to raise skill levels and improve service delivery standards.

You will work within established financial systems and budgets to produce reports, forecasts, and cost variance analyses, delivering small‑to‑medium projects or components of larger assignments while meeting deadlines. You will also advise colleagues on risk management and compliance, presenting risks or issues to senior managers to protect project outcomes.

Analyzing data and documents to identify key themes and trends will support cost and commercial management decisions. You will use industry best practices to review processes, provide recommendations for service improvement, and foster collaboration with the cost‑management function.

Providing specialist technical advice to senior management on cost and commercial matters, you will manage client and external stakeholder relationships to ensure satisfaction and generate new business opportunities, while supporting junior staff on technically complex projects.

• Lead commercial management for local authority projects worth £1 M‑£40 M.
• Manage budgets, produce financial reports, and control cost variances.
• Deliver small‑to‑medium projects or large‑project components within deadlines.
• Advise on risk management and compliance, escalating issues to senior managers.
• Analyze data to identify trends and support cost‑related decisions.
• Recommend process improvements and service innovations based on best practices.
• Collaborate across the organisation to align with cost‑management expectations.
• Provide specialist cost/commercial advice to senior leadership.
• Build and maintain client relationships, ensuring satisfaction and new business.
• Coach and develop junior team members, sharing knowledge to raise standards.

Requirements

Strong people‑management and motivational skills are required, along with experience building senior client relationships. Candidates should have a proven track record delivering medium/large projects across their lifecycle, expertise in cost and commercial management, a relevant bachelor's degree, and preferably chartered status (RICS or CIOB) and a CSCS card.

• Demonstrate strong people‑management and senior client engagement skills.
• Hold a relevant bachelor's degree; chartered status (RICS or CIOB) and CSCS card preferred.
• Proven experience delivering medium/large projects across their lifecycle.

Benefits

Arcadis empowers employees to reach their potential through a skills‑based career path and the chance to deliver sustainable solutions for a prosperous planet. The company is committed to equality, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives drive innovation.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance