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Rider Levett Bucknall

Global construction and property consultancy services

Associate Cost Manager – Pre Contract Lead - Utilities

Project ManagementUpdated on Nov 13
Full-timeLondon, UKNo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

  • A degree in Quantity Surveying or a similar technical discipline is required.
  • Strong understanding of electricity, gas, water, wastewater, or multi-utility environments, including regulated and non-regulated environments.
  • Membership of a relevant professional body is required.
  • Experience using cost planning software to produce estimates is required.
  • Ability to manage complex projects proactively and diligently is required.
  • Strong feasibility and cost planning experience is required.
  • Experience preparing tender documentation and supporting post-contract services is required.
  • Experience working directly with clients and delivering to a high technical standard is required.
  • Ability to build long-term relationships is required.
  • Previous employment by a consultancy or end-user client is required.
  • Stakeholder management experience focused on developing client accounts is required.
  • A track record of working with teams, managing projects, prioritizing workloads, and meeting deadlines is required.
  • Proven experience managing high-voltage transmission and distribution projects is required.
  • Experience delivering extra-high-voltage projects (132kV, 275kV, and 400kV), grid connections, and other utility-scale projects is required.
  • Good working knowledge of the UK transmission and distribution ecosystem, including the distribution network operator/independent distribution network operator landscape and major independent connection provider market participants, is required.
  • Experience with standard construction contracts such as NEC, FIDIC, or JCT is required.
  • A proven track record in tendering and managing major projects is required.
  • Strong financial and contractual acumen is required.
  • Strong communication and leadership/people management skills are required.
  • Confident presentation and client-facing skills are required.
  • Ability to balance delivery and leadership priorities is required.
  • Ability to work under pressure and make evidence-based decisions is required.
  • Strong commercial reporting and financial modelling skills are required.
  • Ability to work across pre-construction, delivery, and close-out phases is required.
  • Ability to mentor junior team members and upskill peers through formal or informal coaching is required.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage the preparation of indicative utility cost budgets and appraisals for power, water, gas, and telecommunications.
  • Lead and manage detailed cost estimates from RIBA stages 2, 3, and 4, including all cost elements and using New Rules of Measurement methodologies.
  • Advise clients on their development plans and expectations.
  • Undertake value engineering studies.
  • Identify cost-saving opportunities through financial analysis, benchmarking, and best practices.
  • Consult suppliers and subcontractors to obtain pricing information and quotations.
  • Lead and manage cost assurance and benchmarking processes and present findings to clients.
  • Lead and manage procurement strategies for multiple utilities projects.
  • Advise on procurement routes for primary infrastructure, including statutory undertakers, IDNO/ICP, NAV, and EPC frameworks.
  • Support pre-market engagement to identify suppliers able to deliver power and other utilities projects.
  • Lead and manage the preparation and issue of tender documents.
  • Lead and manage competitive tender processes, including managing queries from tendering contractors.
  • Manage and contribute to structured, documented tender evaluations.
  • Lead and manage the preparation of Contract Recommendation Reports.
  • Lead and manage the preparation of contract documents.
  • Attend progress meetings.
  • Advise and liaise with internal project and cost-control teams.
  • Act as lead commercial advisor to clients, including developers, funders, and public authorities.
  • Build and manage relationships with stakeholders across regulated and deregulated utility markets.
  • Represent RLB at industry events and in strategic client forums.
  • Manage client expectations and ensure effective communication.
  • Provide performance feedback, support career development, and ensure capability growth within the team as a line manager.
  • Lead, coach, and develop senior cost managers and cost managers within the utilities division.
  • Foster a collaborative working environment.
  • Collaborate with delivery and technical/regulatory utility leads and with RLB’s cost, project management, and advisory disciplines.
  • Contribute to the development of internal capability, service offerings, and market presence.
  • Promote a strong safety culture and provide clear, visible leadership.
  • Support or lead key proposals, fee submissions, and interviews for utility and infrastructure opportunities.
  • Shape service lines, case studies, and delivery methodologies to align with market demand and client expectations.
  • Contribute to a team accountable for the commercial and contractual performance of projects.
  • Lead and manage the pre-contract commercial workstream across multiple utility programmes.
  • Support business objectives for delivering value for money.
  • Carry out assigned duties efficiently and in accordance with processes and procedures.
  • Comply with established cost planning, estimating, and procurement strategies.
  • Take personal responsibility for complying with environmental, health, safety, security, and quality standards.
  • Operate, individually or as part of a team, processes for selecting, appointing, and managing cost planning and procurement elements of projects.
  • Provide clients with appropriate cost planning and procurement advice, considering the technical, commercial, and regulatory implications of developing a utility network.
  • Develop strategic commercial approaches tailored to regulated and developer-funded infrastructure.

About the Company

Rider Levett Bucknall

Global construction and property consultancy services

Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) provides independent construction and property consultancy services for built projects around the world. Its work spans feasibility, cost planning, project management, procurement advice, contract administration, and asset management, guiding clients from early ideas through delivery and operation. The firm combines specialists across markets to deliver unbiased advice, using market data and project controls to help optimize cost, schedule, risk, and quality. RLB differentiates itself by its 240+ year track record, global network of about 4,500 professionals, and its emphasis on truth, trust, collaboration, and responsible impact, underpinned by a commitment to independence and straight talk. The goal is to help clients deliver successful projects efficiently while making a positive contribution to communities and the planet.

Company size
1,001-5,000
Company stage
Not listed
Total funding
Not listed
Headquarters
London, United Kingdom
Founded
1969

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