Senior Cost Consultant - Education

Description

The Senior Cost Consultant (Senior Manager) will join the cost and commercial management team supporting key strategic education sector clients. The role involves advising on cost planning, budgeting, forecasting and strategic procurement, delivering cost management services from inception through to completion across multiple sectors.

Key responsibilities include managing cost planning and presenting cost plans to clients and internal stakeholders, overseeing the full procurement process from pre‑qualification to contract preparation, and conducting feasibility studies and advising on procurement strategies. Value management techniques are applied early on to support strategic outcomes and key performance indicators.

The consultant will supervise contract document preparation, warranties, bonds and licenses, administer contract terms, and ensure accurate measurement and valuation of work. They will produce monthly post‑contract cost reports, identify costs associated with design changes and claims, and manage the issuance of practical completion certificates and final account negotiations.

Leadership duties involve managing a team of Cost Consultants, providing guidance, coaching and performance management, while driving continuous improvement in systems, processes and templates. The role also requires building and influencing senior stakeholder relationships and contributing to net‑zero carbon transition by managing project carbon emissions.

• Advise on cost planning, budgeting, forecasting and strategic procurement for education sector clients.
• Manage the full cost management lifecycle from inception to completion across multiple sectors.
• Lead procurement stages including pre‑qualification, enquiry, analysis, selection and contract preparation.
• Conduct feasibility studies, advise on procurement strategies and produce procurement reports.
• Apply value management techniques early in projects and perform life‑cycle costing.
• Prepare and present final cost plans and monthly post‑contract cost reports to clients.
• Oversee valuations, cost control, change‑order costing and claim evaluation for delays and additional costs.
• Administer contract terms, issue certificates of practical and final completion, and negotiate final accounts.
• Supervise and mentor a team of Cost Consultants, providing performance management and training.
• Drive continuous improvement of cost management systems, processes and templates.
• Build and maintain internal and external stakeholder relationships, influencing senior stakeholders.
• Contribute to net‑zero carbon transition by identifying and managing project carbon emissions.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and uphold Mace’s Safety First value.

Requirements

The successful candidate will hold a degree in quantity surveying or cost management and be a member of MRICS/RICS (or equivalent), with demonstrable experience in cost planning, budgeting, estimating and delivering service excellence to clients. Proficiency in BIM, digital tools, value engineering, life‑cycle costing and various construction contracts is essential.

Additional competencies include strong negotiation, influencing and communication skills, analytical and problem‑solving abilities, commercial acumen, and experience in managing people and risk within large, diverse teams. A commitment to sustainability, social value, inclusivity and continuous learning is expected.

• Demonstrate strong negotiation, influencing and communication skills at all levels.
• Hold a degree in quantity surveying or cost management and MRICS/RICS membership (or equivalent).
• Possess experience in BIM, digital tools, value engineering, contract law and various construction contracts.
• Show analytical, problem‑solving and commercial acumen with capex/opex cost analysis.
• Experience managing people, risk and large, diverse project teams.

Benefits

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance