Senior Cost Manager / Associate - Utilities

Title: Senior Cost Manager / Associate Sector: Utilities & Energy Discipline: Cost / Commercial Management Reporting to: Partner Location: London (With Hybrid Working) Why RLB? At RLB, we live by four simple ideas: Truth, Trust, Together, Tomorrow. Four values that live at the heart of RLB. A place where People Make Progress. We value your skills, talents and unique perspectives – we think they are priceless. Bring them to RLB and you’ll be empowered to shape our future and your career in new and meaningful ways. We’ll give you opportunities to work on some of the most ambitious and exciting projects currently being designed and developed in the built environment sector. You’ll continue to learn and advance as everyone who works for us is provided with a tailored training programme. Our mentoring and reverse mentoring schemes will enable you to share your expertise while gaining fresh insights. What makes RLB unique is our inclusive culture. As an independent, employee-owned business, teamwork and collaboration lies at the heart of everything we do. Hybrid and flexible working arrangements and family-friendly policies are just some of the ways we invest in employee wellbeing. Join us and you will thrive personally as well as professionally. Key responsibilities: Our Utilities Consultancy team is built around three integrated specialisms: Commercial management, Project Delivery, and Technical/Regulatory service. The Commercial function provides strategic advice and cost/commercial management services across regulated and non-regulated utility environments, supporting high-value infrastructure and digital asset projects. We are seeking experienced individuals to strengthen and grow our Commercial Utility Consultancy team. The role will suit a commercially astute, client-facing individual with deep knowledge of utility procurement, infrastructure cost modelling, and lifecycle commercial strategy. The role will involve you shaping our market positioning, supporting major bids, and embedding commercial best practice across utility and energy programmes. The role demands high-level strategic thinking, hands-on leadership, and the ability to influence both client-side and internally at RLB. There are critical leadership roles available which will contribute to RLB’s ambitious growth within the utilities sector. - Support the successful delivery of projects within the Utilities sector, - Pre and Post Contract Quantity Surveying - Strategic cost planning and management - Procurement and contract administration - Financial reporting and risk management - Stakeholder engagement and collaboration - Benchmarking and market intelligence - Systems and process improvement - Compliance and governance - Contribute to the financial performance of projects and the wider business, including revenue and profitability. - Promote efficiency, effectiveness and best practice across projects and teams. - Keep up to date with current thinking and best practice within the discipline. - Work closely with clients, contractors and project teams to deliver projects successfully and on budget. - Comply with established Commercial, Procurement, Contractual strategies. Role Responsibilities - Lead the successful delivery of projects within the Utilities sector - power, water, telecoms, district energy, gas, renewables and emerging energy infrastructure. - Commercial Leadership & Strategy - Commercial Governance & Assurance - Bid Leadership & Market Development - Pre-Contract & Procurement - Client & Stakeholder Engagement - Team Leadership - Contribute to the financial performance of projects and the wider business, including revenue and profitability. - Promote efficiency, effectiveness and best practice across projects and teams. - Keep up to date with current thinking and best practice within the discipline. - Work closely with clients, contractors and project teams to deliver projects successfully and on budget. - Associate level requires demonstrable leadership experience across people, projects and business Candidate Profile Qualifications - Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or similar construction related technical discipline - Chartered / Professionally Qualified (or working towards MRICS/MCInstCES/MCIOB preferred) Experience - Significant experience in delivering commercial services on major utility infrastructure programmes. - Strong understanding of electricity, water, wastewater or multi-utility environments (including regulated and non-regulated). - Experience in commercial management and the delivery of projects in the regulated marketplace and de-regulated marketplace. - Proven track record in managing multi-disciplinary teams and client relationships. - Proficient in procurement advisory, cost planning, contract management and dispute resolution. - Proven experience in managing high voltage Transmission and Distribution projects. - Extensive experience in delivering EHV projects (132kV, 275kV, and 400kV), grid connections, and other utility-scale projects. - Good working knowledge of the UK Transmission & Distribution ecosystem, including the DNO/IDNO landscape, and major players in the ICP market. - Experience with standard construction contracts (e.g., Fidic, JCT). - Proven track record in tendering and managing major projects. Behaviours - Recognised as a client focused, positive collaborator who shares knowledge freely and offers support to their peers and seniors. Recognised as a team player with a strong willingness to learn. - Demonstrates a positive and proactive approach to the role, and will be committed to delivering customer service excellence, with good commercial results.