Associate Director of Cost Consultancy
 
This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced built environment professional to step into a senior leadership role with a highly regarded consultancy that places people, quality, and long-term thinking at the heart of everything it does.
 
The role offers the chance to take full ownership of a service offering, lead and develop high-performing teams, and play a key role in shaping business strategy at board level. You'll have real autonomy, visibility, and influence, working closely with senior decision-makers while continuing to remain technically and commercially engaged.
 
For the right individual, this position provides a clear platform to progress your career at Associate Director level, broaden your leadership remit, and contribute meaningfully to the future direction of a growing consultancy known for its collaborative culture and strong professional reputation.
 
Key Responsibilities
Operational & Technical Leadership
·Lead and manage multi-disciplinary teams to ensure the successful delivery of projects and commissions.
·Act as the technical point of escalation, ensuring best practice, innovation, and value-added solutions are delivered to clients.
·Champion collaborative working across senior leadership, regional teams, and technical specialists.
·Promote high standards of compliance with internal policies, procedures, and professional codes of conduct.
·Inspire, motivate, and develop teams to achieve both project objectives and individual career goals.
Resource & People Management
·Work closely with senior leadership to forecast and manage current and future resource requirements.
·Oversee staff performance, capability, working patterns, and wellbeing.
·Carry out appraisals, support professional development plans, and manage performance issues proactively.
·Deliver team briefings and maintain clear communication across projects and regions.
Business Development & Client Engagement
·Support and contribute to business development activities, including identifying growth areas, new markets, and repeat opportunities.
·Build and maintain strong, trusted client relationships at senior level.
·Support bids and tenders through the preparation of case studies, technical submissions, and strategic input.
·Review tender feedback and implement lessons learnt to continuously improve success rates.
·Represent the business at client meetings, industry events, and promotional activities.
Financial & Commercial Management
·Support the preparation of fee proposals, forecasts, and annual rate reviews.
·Manage costs against agreed fees and secure client approval for variations and change control.
·Assist with fee accounts and financial reporting within your area of responsibility.
·Handle sensitive commercial information with the highest level of professionalism and confidentiality.
Quality, Compliance & Governance
·Ensure compliance with professional standards, ethical codes, and regulatory requirements.
·Lead the preparation of project-specific Quality Management Plans and ensure adherence to the Quality Management System.
·Review technical documents prior to external issue and support internal and external audits.
·Promote equality, diversity & inclusion, GDPR compliance, IT policies, and environmental objectives.
Health, Safety & Wellbeing
·Lead by example in promoting a strong health, safety and wellbeing culture.
·Ensure teams comply with all health, safety, and environmental procedures, including site-based requirements where applicable.
·Support company wellbeing initiatives and actively promote safe working practices.
Training, Mentoring & Professional Development
·Support the continuous development of staff through coaching, mentoring, and structured training.
·Act as a mentor to junior colleagues and support professional accreditation pathways where agreed.
·Maintain appropriate CPD and engage in further training aligned with senior leadership expectations.
 
This role will suit an individual who is already operating at senior management level or is a strong Associate ready to step up.
 
You will ideally bring:
·A degree-level qualification (essential).
·Professional membership (e.g. RICS or similar) - desirable but not essential.
·Significant, demonstrable industry experience with strong technical credibility.
·Proven experience leading teams across multiple projects and/or regions.
·Strong commercial awareness and experience managing fees, resources, and clients.
·Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
·Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
·A collaborative leadership style with the confidence to make decisions and drive performance.
·Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
 
Why This Role?
·Senior leadership position with real strategic influence
·Opportunity to shape and grow a service offering
·Strong emphasis on people development and collaborative culture
·Exposure to high-quality, varied client work
·Long-term career progression within a stable and forward-thinking consultancy