Cost Assurance Consultant

ost Assurance Consultant

Gleeds UK Infrastructure (Major Projects)

Birmingham, England

Permanent | Full-time | Hybrid working

Gleeds is a leading global property and construction consultancy. Independent since 1875, we are proud to deliver award-winning projects around the world. We're a certified “Great Place to Work” for the 3rd year in a row, which acknowledges our commitment to our people, who are at the heart of everything we do.

We are looking for a Cost Consultant or Cost Assurance specialist to join to play a key role in delivering major UK projects as part of our specialist infrastructure team. Our UK infrastructure division support clients across rail, aviation, highways, water & utilities, helping improve and futureproof critical UK infrastructure. You'll ideally have experience in quantity surveying, cost management or cost auditing, working at a consultant or surveyor level.

Based at our Birmingham office and Midlands infrastructure hub, you will work collaboratively as part of a dedicated cost consultancy team, working regularly from local client offices to provide cost management & assurance on major projects.

Joining our UK infrastructure team as a cost consultant, you'll benefit from:

• Exposure to major UK infrastructure projects
• Opportunities to broaden your skills, experience & knowledge across a range of sectors
• Support towards your professional development, including professional qualifications
• Career progression opportunities, with clear and structured pathways towards career growth
• Being part of a certified "Great Place to Work" where employee wellbeing is a priority
• A hybrid working pattern with flexible options to support work life balance
• A comprehensive flexible benefits offering alongside a competitive salary

If you have experience in quantity surveying, cost management or financial auditing, this role may be a great match for your next career move.

Working as part of our cost assurance team, you will be working closely with our key clients to review, manage and analyse project costs, identifying potential discrepancies and providing verification for payments.

You'll work closely with clients and contractors to maintain clear communication, accurate costing, and financial compliance, with opportunities to help develop & implement tools & processes to improve cost reporting and analysis.

Key Responsibilities

As a Cost Consultant / Cost Assurance professional, you will:

• Provide commercial and financial assurance, verifying project costs across various sectors.
• Analyse contractor accounting and commercial systems/processes
  
• Develop risk-based audit and verification plans
• Conduct detailed audits and cost analyses
• Deliver high-quality reports and working papers with clear insights.
• Interpret contractual frameworks and assess cost-related compliance
• Engage with contractors, clients, and regulatory bodies
• Support the development of forensic technology and analysis tools
• Assist the Head of Cost Assurance and senior team members in project delivery and function

What we are looking for:

• Experience with NEC3/4 contracts (preferred)
• Background in corporate risk, audit functions, or cost verification
• Proven expertise in financial reviews and audits for major infrastructure/construction projects. (Preferred)
• Strong communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Analytical mindset with a methodical approach to work.
• Organised and adaptable, able to manage changing priorities
• Strong problem-solving, negotiation, and numeracy skills.
• Proficiency in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of data analysis tools (e.g., Power BI, DAX) is desirable
• Familiarity with contract management & administration systems
• Ability to absorb complex information and work independently or as part of a team.

Qualifications:

• Degree qualified (or equivalent) in a relevant subject (quantity surveying, accounting, audit, or data analysis).
• Qualified, or working towards an appropriate professional body membership or equivalent (e.g., MRICS, ACA, ACCA, CIMA, etc).