Lead cost management and quantity surveying for large-scale data centre projects across the UK and Europe. Responsibilities include cost planning, procurement strategy, tender management, contract administration, change and risk management, forecasting, financial governance, dispute support, stakeholder management, client development, team leadership, and project delivery through all RIBA stages. The role requires data centre or advanced technology sector experience, strong commercial judgment, and regular travel to Milan.
Title: Senior Cost Manager / Associate Cost Manager
Sector: Data Centres
Discipline: Cost Management
Location: London or another RLB UK office (Hybrid Working) + Monthly Trip to Milan
Location: London or another RLB UK office (Hybrid Working) + Monthly Trip to Milan
Reporting To: Senior Associate / Partner
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.
Introduction to Advanced Technologies & Data Centre Team
Rider Levett Bucknall’s Advanced Technologies & Data Centre (DC) Team is one of the UK’s leading independent multi-disciplinary consultancies, supporting clients in the successful planning, procurement, delivery and operation of critical Data Centre infrastructure across some of the UK and Europe’s most complex and interesting projects. Our team works across the full project lifecycle, providing specialist expertise from initial feasibility throughout the lifecycle of the project through to completion working with Hyperscale and Co-Location Developers, and End-User Customers.
What sets us apart is our genuinely integrated approach. Rather than operating as individual disciplines, our professionals work collaboratively across three complementary service pillars to provide clients with seamless support throughout every stage of a project. This collaborative approach allows us to solve complex challenges quickly, share knowledge across disciplines and provide resilient support throughout the project delivery.
Working as part of our DC Centre of Excellence, the role will include:
- Providing strategic commercial advice
- Driving efficient procurement strategies
- Contract administration
- Cost Management through all RIBA Stages
- Change Management and driving commercial efficiencies
- Commercial Assurance and accurate cost forecasting
- Financial governance from early project development through to final accounts
We pride ourselves on driving and supporting growth and development of the individuals within our team to empower you with a clear path for career progression with RLB. As our team continues to grow, we remain committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive and collaborative culture where individuals are encouraged to learn from one another, develop new skills and work across disciplines. Whether supporting a colleague on a technical challenge, assisting with commercial strategy or helping deliver a critical programme milestone, we operate as one team with a shared objective of delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients.
Joining RLB’s Advanced Technologies & Data Centre Team means becoming part of a high-performing, ambitious and supportive business that is helping shape the future of the UK’s critical infrastructure while offering genuine opportunities for professional development, career progression and exposure to some of the industry’s most exciting and technically challenging projects.
Role Overview
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced individual to work alongside our existing Data Centre team on large scale projects in UK & Europe. The individual will have strong communication skills and will be liaising directly with the client team on a daily basis. They will also be proactive in their delivery with a strong level of autonomy and attention to detail.
Role Responsibilities
- Lead the successful delivery of Data Centre projects, taking responsibility for all aspects of project performance and outcomes
- Leadership capabilities across people, projects and business activities.
- Build and develop strong client relationships, contributing to work winning and new business opportunities.
- Line management responsibilities and supporting the career development of team members.
- Demonstrated experience to manage a project and liaise with clients, and external consultants during all phases of the project.
- Carry out assigned duties efficiently and in accordance with processes and procedures.
- Comply with established Commercial, Procurement, Contractual strategies.
- Take personal responsibility for complying with Environmental, Health, Safety, Security and Quality Standards.
- Cost Planning including preparation of indicative cost budgets and appraisals and preparation of elemental cost plans.
- Knowledge or various procurement strategies with the strength to articulate pros and cons of each and determine the most suitable route for the project and/or client specific needs.
- Running a tender process including managing queries from tendering contractors, leading the recommendation to a preferred contractor factoring all relevant commercial considerations to advise a suitable value for money solution.
- Experience in both Pre and Post Contract Quantity Surveying, including cost planning throughout the RIBA stages, tendering and procurement, post-contract management, change management, reporting, risk and contingency management.
- Supporting formal dispute resolution process and contract close out strategy as required.
- Experience specifically in the Data Centre with relation to the responsibilities outlined above.
- Collate and maintain benchmark and market insight reports the the DC sector specifically, with consideration to trends in local dedicated markets.
- Effectively manage a range of internal and external stakeholders to represent RLB and the RLB team both in terms of project delivery and general engagement.
- Experience specifically in other Advanced Technologies sector (such as healthcare or similar) with relation to the responsibilities outlined above.
- Actively use and comply with all systems and processes, supporting continual improvement process
- 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 industry.
Candidate Profile
Qualifications
- Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying or similar technical discipline.
- MRICS or membership of other relevant professional body.
Experience
- Strong technical delivery experience delivering CSA and / or MEP (Mechanical & Electrical) packages for Data Centre projects is preferred. However strong candidates with experience in other (non-DC) sectors will also be considered.
- Previously employed by a consultancy, general contractor or end user client.
- Stakeholder management with a clear focus on developing client accounts.
- Demonstrable leadership capabilities across people, projects and business.
RLB Employee Benefits
Our culture is built around enabling you to fulfil your potential, so you can look forward to benefits that include:
Hybrid Working - Working patterns to support your work-life balance. As well as competitive maternity and paternity packages.
Well-Rewarded - A competitive salary and generous holiday entitlement. As well as the opportunity to purchase up to five extra days.
Focus On Wellbeing - We offer a number of health and wellness options, including gym membership and cycle to work schemes.
Healthcare Packages - Private healthcare insurance and medical support, including dental insurance and eyecare vouchers.
Personal Development - A continuous learning and development programme, including established APC and in-house mentoring schemes.
Additional Benefits - We offer a wide range of benefits including a season ticket loan and professional membership subscriptions.
Exceptional Exposure - You’ll have the opportunity to work on diverse projects across different sectors and regions.
Social Responsibility - We hold team and social events as well as charity fundraising and volunteering activities.
Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment
We believe in building a diverse and inclusive environment where each person can be themselves, feel valued for their contribution and be challenged and supported to reach their full potential. We have a responsibility to support the communities in which we live and work, and that our workforce should reflect these communities and our clients. Our talent strategy should enable us to overcome bias in the construction industry by recruiting, retaining, developing, and promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce. Find out more here: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - RLB | Europe
If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you during any stage of the application or interview process, please contact our recruitment team at: [email protected]
About
With a network that covers the globe and a heritage spanning over two centuries, Rider Levett Bucknall is a leading independent organisation in cost management and quantity surveying, project management and advisory services.Our achievements are renowned: from the early days of pioneering quantity surveying, to landmark projects such as the Sydney Opera House, HSBC Headquarters Building in Hong Kong, the 2012 London Olympic Games and CityCenter in Las Vegas.We continue this successful legacy with our dedication to the value, quality and sustainability of the built environment. Our innovative thinking, global reach, and flawless execution push the boundaries. Taking ambitious projects from an idea to reality.
Rider Levett Bucknall RLB London, England Office
London, United Kingdom
Similar Jobs
Artificial Intelligence • Fintech • Payments • Business Intelligence • Financial Services • Generative AI
Own the customer journey for SME and mid-market customers from onboarding through go-live and ongoing servicing. Build the EMEA Customer Success operating model, manage implementation activities, coordinate cross-functional stakeholders, monitor usage and service metrics, resolve escalations, and improve customer experience. The role requires strong relationship management, technical troubleshooting, operational attention to detail, and the ability to manage complex customer issues in a high-growth fintech environment.
Top Skills:
Google WorkspaceLookerSaaSSalesforceSQLZendesk
Fintech • Mobile • Payments • Software • Financial Services
Lead analytics for Wise Business Sales and Total Service teams by building dashboards, forecasts, cohort reports, and performance analytics. Optimize sales and service funnels, portfolio performance, conversion, churn prevention, capacity planning, and GTM strategy. Define KPIs and SLA analytics, conduct market sizing, and partner with Marketing and Analytics Engineering on lead management and reliable data pipelines, including Salesforce integrations.
Top Skills:
AirflowDbtGitLookerPythonSnowflakeSQL
.png){kind=logo}
AdTech • eCommerce • Information Technology • Software • Travel • Generative AI
Own the vision, strategy, roadmap, and delivery of Expedia Group’s bidding and optimization platform across performance-marketing channels. Translate business and financial goals into automated bidding decisions, partnering with Data Science and Engineering on models, data pipelines, integrations, experimentation, monitoring, reliability, and scalable production systems. Guide technical trade-offs and ensure automated decisions are transparent, trustworthy, and tied to measurable business outcomes.
Top Skills:
Advertising AuctionsData PipelinesExperimentation SystemsForecastingMachine LearningMetasearchMonitoring SystemsOptimization AlgorithmsPredictive ModelingSearch Engine Marketing
What you need to know about the London Tech Scene
London isn't just a hub for established businesses; it's also a nursery for innovation. Boasting one of the most recognized fintech ecosystems in Europe, attracting billions in investments each year, London's success has made it a go-to destination for startups looking to make their mark. Top U.K. companies like Hoptin, Moneybox and Marshmallow have already made the city their base — yet fintech is just the beginning. From healthtech to renewable energy to cybersecurity and beyond, the city's startups are breaking new ground across a range of industries.
