The Role: Cost Manager - Construction / Fit Out

Location: Nottingham
Salary: £55,000

Sector: Retail Construction

I am working on an excellent opportunity for an experienced Cost Manager to provide commercial leadership across a diverse capital expenditure programme covering UK and EU markets. This role plays a key part in ensuring cost efficiency and governance across new store developments, refits, and major construction projects.

The Role

You’ll provide commercial support from initial feasibility through to project delivery – managing feasibility estimates, cost reports, and cashflows while refining tools and processes to ensure world-class cost management standards. Working closely with internal stakeholders and the Senior Cost Manager, you’ll drive continuous improvement across cost modelling, procurement, and contractual governance.

All about you

You will be a highly organised individual who thrives in a very fast-paced environment. Ideally you will have around 5 years’ experience since qualifying as a QS and either hold, or want to achieve, Chartered status. You will be into the details and happy in a role that takes you out on site to see and feel projects developing. You will be a strong collaborator and be able to build relationships with a broad spectrum of internal and external stakeholders. You will need to be adaptable and resilient, able to prioritise tasks and comfortable presenting to senior leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the UK & EU refit pipeline across all store development activity.
• Manage supply chain partners to deliver optimum cost outcomes across the group’s construction and fit-out projects.
• Collaborate with procurement and specification teams to support cost planning and drive efficiencies.
• Oversee cost control, approval, and variation processes for all capital construction and refurbishment programmes.
• Manage external QS partners, ensuring compliance with scope, schedule, and fee agreements.
• Produce and maintain feasibility capex estimates, monthly cost reports, cashflow forecasts, and year-end accruals.
• Support senior management with commercial and contractual recovery initiatives.
• Contribute to refining procurement strategies, cost models, and commercial frameworks.
• Engage with group legal and insurance teams on framework agreements and governance.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Quantity Surveying with 5+ years in construction cost management, ideally in a retail setting.
• Proven experience leading multi-million-pound projects across the full RIBA lifecycle.
• In-depth knowledge of construction contracts, building regulations, and compliance frameworks.
• Strong financial appraisal and cost modelling skills.
• Skilled at managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Chartered membership (RICS or equivalent) preferred.
• Able to travel internationally when required.

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape cost management excellence across a dynamic, high-growth retail portfolio. To be considered, please send your CV to sheila@corecruitment.com

You must be able to live and work in the UK without restriction.

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