AECOM
Cost Manager (Water and Environment Infrastructure)
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Cost Manager (Water and Environment Infrastructure)
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Cost Manager (Southwest - Water & Environment Focus)
AECOM – Buildings & Places Infrastructure
Job Title
[Cost Manager] (Hybrid – Southwest, UK)
**Why AECOM?
"Work with Us. Change the World."
At AECOM, we’re the trusted infrastructure consultancy, shaping projects that create lasting, positive impact—be it improving transport networks, power resilience, clean water accessibility, or urban transformations. With a global team of 50,000+ industry leaders, we deliver projects that redefine excellence while nurturing careers on a world stage.
Our Water & Environment sector in the Southwest is scaling growth via high-profile projects in collaboration with clients like Southwest Water and the Environment Agency. As a Cost Manager, you’ll join a high-performing team, directing key aspects of major capital projects and shaping the future of infrastructure.
About the Role
Core Impact
Drive innovation, efficiency, and commercial excellence across the entire project lifecycle, from ideation to delivery—securing value for clients such as cross-sector utilities and regulatory bodies.
What You’ll Do
As the lead cost managerial authority in our [Buildings & Places Infrastructure] team, your responsibilities include:
1. Full-Lifecycle Cost Management
- Project Scoping & Feasibility: Author preliminary estimates for new initiatives, ensuring viable cost structuring.
- Cost Planning & Budget Execution: Develop and monitor budgets without supervision (including key deliverables like cost forecasts and risk analyses).
- Contract Oversight: Lead procurement activities (tender.pack.gov.uk, NEC4 contracts), contract drafting, and value engineering.
- Risk & Dispute Resolution: Manage pre and post-construction financial risks, client conflict resolution, and final account adjudications.
- Commercial Leadership: Drive fee optimisation, contractual sequencing, and collaborative multi-stakeholder commercial coordination.
2. Client-Centric & Peer Excellence
- Align AECOM standards to client expectations, embodying premium professionalism while maintaining financial prudence.
- Elevate AECOM’s credentials as a trusted partner in the construction sector through open communication, technical rigor, and commercial acumen.
- Mentor junior team members, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration (design, programming, procurement).
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3. Strategic & operational contributions
- Champion the performance management framework, applying the latest in infrastructure governance (NEC4, PMI methodologies).
- Advocate for environmental and social sustainability in all cost decisions.
- Submit homeowners’ status reports (or similar standardised outputs) at interim intervals.
What We’re Looking For
Qualifications & Technical Proficiency
AECOM expects a committed Cost Manager (or Quantity Surveyor) with:
✅ Degree certificate (BSc/MSc) in Quantity Surveying or equivalent. ✅ Accredited MRICS (or working towards membership*). ✅ Minimum 5 years of experience in cost management/quantity surveying. ✅ Proven expertise in large-scale infrastructure, specifically in water, environment, or transport sectors. ✅ Advanced proficiency in the [NEC4 professional services contract (PSC) and engineering construction contract (ECC)] suite. ✅ Substantial experience in agile, multi-party collaboration within complex programmes. ⛈ Preferable: experience in client-facing operational environments (e.g., internal programs or consultancy secondments).
Key Differentiators for ajd)
- Sub-water knowledge (by-laws, regulatory frameworks, bidding guidance) is a bonus.
- Account management experience across high-volume resource projects (indicative of both strategic and tactical poise).
- Familiarity with the Chameleon required outcomes framework.
Soft & Cultural Fit
Ideal candidates are bold, with passion for building sustainable systems. You’ll thrive if you:
- View challenges as growth opportunities rather than hurdles.
- Fusiously believe financial insights and honesty drive trust in every partnership.
- Embrace “enlightened self-interest” through AECOM’s ongoing organisational development.
About AECOM in Practice
Global Reach, Local Fit
As part of a [Fortune 500 firm], AECOM invests $16.1 billion annually into infrastructure addressing our [Environmental, Social, and Governance priorities]. In the UK alone, our [Europe & India] division propels further progress through bold innovation and agile problem-solving.
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Where You’ll Work
- Hybrid transitioning towards startup culture: Locations in Surrey’s Swindon/Devon hubs, complemented by periodical client site assignments.
- Office locations equipped with modern collaboration tools, flexible meeting spaces, and tech stack for [NV5 CostX or PROFILE international].
Culture & Growth
- Premised on energy, inclusion, and upward mobility: You’ll mentor sustainably, “èventifnis” residuals from your predecessors.
- Development budget: ISEF subsidised (100% coverage of CPD/APM access).
- Continuum of social support: Group events (annual Milan festival, team concierge) alongside fringe activities (softball, Mindful Mondays).
Personalised Alignment Opportuni
- Applied geospatial intelligence (GIS-based asset optimisation): Rewarded applications with front-end projects in digital twins.
- Will fund KEEP/MRICS exam costs if agreed upon post-offer.
Expected Skepmommer’s Deliberations
- For clarification, contact the building line recruitment head.
Freedom to Drive Change
Paperwork may commence, but [exceptions for remote tests vary] for accreditations. At AECOM, we say no to bureaucracy oversimplifying our true objective: To build a greener and smarter future.
2025 Compensation Package
- Starting range £40k–£48k, bracket scalable to £65k by Year 3.
- Cross-team collaboration stipend after six-months’ review.
Diversity Commitment
Affirmative action is central to our mission. AECOM Islistive’s Disability Confident employer—fully compliant with EEO regulations. If you are disabled or work with a long-term condition, email ReasonableAccommodationsUKI@aecom.com for a modified interview process.
⚖️ AECOM is actively exploring genetic/psychological background (applicants will not be required to disclose marital status).
Testimonials of Trust $$\ weapon**
"AECOM didn’t just mitigate risk—they delivered how-with for a calculating trilogy of hydro projects which absolutely impressed H2O tollranges." – Mark XYX, Head of Authorities for Teeswater Constituency.
For more insight:
- @AECOMulter on LinkedIn; #UnitedByTotalQuality
- Follow [Places Infra Impact] to witness projects tangibly unifying communities.
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