AtkinsRéalis
Associate Director - Estimating & Cost Advisory
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Associate Director - Estimating & Cost Advisory
Job Description: Associate Director, Estimating & Cost Advisory
Overview
Join our Complex Projects, Delivery Partners team and become a critical member delivering some of the world’s most prestigious projects. We foster a collaborative, supportive environment where every contribution is valued, and excellence is achieved collectively.
As the leader in our Estimating & Cost Advisory practice, you’ll collaborate with multi-disciplinary and specialist project teams across niche, high-profile schemes. Work in a diverse, dynamic setting surrounded by talented colleagues eager to provide guidance as you grow your skills alongside our growing practice.
We’re currently recruiting an Associate Director to further support our expanding business within:
- Infrastructure (Water, Defence, Aviation)
- Transport (Rail, Highways, Local Authorities)
- Energy (Nuclear, Renewable Energy, Power)
The Role
Core Responsibilities
- Lead estimating service delivery, managing estimates from feasibility to completion across various project sectors and types.
- Deliver order-of-magnitude costing to detailed principal bottom-up estimates.
- Demonstrate expertise in cost measurements, full independent take-offs, and supporting junior team members.
- Ensure high-quality client deliverables, covering direct/indirect costs, grant-style cost summaries and peer reviews (written/spoken).
- Author Basis-of-Estimate (BoE) documents independently.
- Utilise estimating software (e.g., CostX, UniVerse, Accubid etc.) and generic office applications.
- Apply client, market and benchmarks to refine independent estimates.
- Lead internal quality assurance for client output.
- Stakeholder management—articulate complex concepts clearly and drive positive resolutions.
- Position as a subject-matter expert to elevate client deliverables via team collaboration.
- Champion win-work activities (proposals/bids) to expand our portfolio.
- Contribute to continuous deliverable improvement across the team and push growth principles.
- Support talent development to foster a high-performing practice.
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About You
Qualifications & Experience
- A Bachelor’s degree in Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering or Construction (or equivalent).
- Professional membership (or candidacy) is desirable (e.g., RICS, ICE, AACE, ACostE).
Key Skills & Knowledge
- Estimate types: High-level (e.g., order-of-magnitude) to granular (e.g., granular bottom-up cost breakdowns).
- Contingency/risk allowance allocations—firm grasp of approaches and industry benchmarks.
- Deep understanding of contractual/commercial frameworks, even when assessing its impact on estimating.
- Indirect cost management—capture, peer reviews and cost breakdowns—apoled/sympathetic for policy fairness & efficiency.
- Engage effectively with designers, engineers and project/procurement teams—seamless collaboration across roles.
- Versatile mindset to adapt across sectors/disciplines and grow technical expertise.
- Capability (or roadmap) to obtain government security clearance (ideal, though not essential).
What We Offer
- Global exposure: Work across UK and International projects with diverse, high-profile clients.
- Work-life flexibility: Minimal rigid policies.
- Career support: Routes to RICS/ICE accreditation and skill growth initiatives.
- Attractive benefits: Bespoke packages tailored to health/finance/lifestyle (e.g., salaries, rewards, family support).
- Wellbeing focus: Enhance training opportunities and professional networking.
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Why AtkinsRéalis?
Driving excellence at every level: Every individual’s unique background enriches our global projects, fusing engineering, technology, and sustainability to deliver lasting change. We prove we can effect change by designing infrastructure and energy systems for the future—partnering intimately with diverse sectors through our full end-to-end services.
Diversity & Inclusion
We welcome all perspectives. AtkinsRéalis is an Equal Opportunities Employer: free from bias around gender, age, disability or background. Join a learning culture that embraces talent—our dedicated support policies tenured to accommodate every employee.
Terms & Legal
- Security considerations: Roles may require clearance pre-employment, refined by UKSV (may require longer residency documentation). Do not reference current/previous clearances in applications or interviews.
- Roles: Permanent, employee. Job Family: Project & Delivery – Search Code: PPSProCont/ATKINS#
- Subsidiary: Through our UK entity, AtkinsRéalis Ltd.
Meet AtkinsRéalis
Reaching back a century, AtkinsRéalis stands as a world-class engineering solutions company with units spanning construction consulting, design, nuclear services, and operations. For more context, visit AtkinsRealis.com. Follow us for updates: LinkedIn
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