Cost Planning and Commercial Lead

Sovereign Network Group; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading development firm in the United Kingdom is seeking a Cost Planning and Commercial Lead to provide cost planning advice and ensure competitive land bids. The ideal candidate should have a degree in construction, significant experience in cost planning, and strong analytical skills. This role offers hybrid working, generous leave, and a competitive pension scheme.

Benefits

Hybrid, flexible working

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Generous pension scheme matching up to 12%

Life cover from day one

Paid wellness days

Qualifications

• Significant relevant experience in cost planning or quantity surveying, ideally with a developer or PQS focused on residential development.
• Experience on projects ranging from £50 million to £150 million in value.
• Strong understanding of residential brownfield development, especially high-density and mixed-use schemes.

Responsibilities

• Provide regional cost planning and commercial advice for various teams.
• Prepare and maintain detailed cost plans and viability appraisals.
• Ensure costs are assessed in compliance with planning obligations.

Skills

Cost planning

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Proficiency in cost planning software

Education

Degree in construction or built environment

Job description

Join to apply for the Cost Planning and Commercial Lead role at SNG (Sovereign Network Group)

Pay Range: SNG provides a base pay range; your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience—talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Responsibilities

• Provide regional cost planning and commercial advice for Land and New Business and Regeneration teams to ensure land‑bids are cost‑competitive and help meet new business delivery targets for S106, Land‑Led, JV, and Regeneration opportunities.
• Collaborate with colleagues, stakeholders, supply chain and consultants to quantify and mitigate SNG’s development risks throughout design, procurement, and delivery of new homes.
• Prepare and maintain detailed cost plans and viability appraisals from RIBA stage 1 to 4.
• Support land acquisition and feasibility studies with commercial input.
• Work with design, technical and commercial teams to ensure cost‑effective and buildable solutions.
• Assist in value engineering and risk identification to optimise commercial outcomes across all development activities.
• Interpret drawings and specifications to produce cost schedules and budget estimates.
• Attend design team meetings, site visits, and liaise with PQS (Professional Quantity Surveying) consultants.
• Ensure costs are assessed in compliance with planning obligations.

Qualifications

• A degree in construction or built environment related field or equivalent experience.
• Significant relevant experience in cost planning or quantity surveying, ideally with a developer or PQS focused on residential development.
• Experience on projects ranging from £50 million to £150 million in value.
• Strong understanding of residential brownfield development, especially high‑density and mixed‑use schemes.
• Proficiency in cost planning software.
• Excellent analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Previous experience in pricing geotechnical engineered solutions and all types of traditional foundations and piling including temporary and permanent works, concrete frames, basement construction and site remediation.
• Previous experience in cost‑estimating traditional construction for houses and apartments, apartment superstructure and various modern methods of construction, with market‑testing and cost/value benchmarking.

Benefits

• Hybrid, flexible working plus three paid wellness days per annum.
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays (with an extra day each year up to 30 days).
• Opportunity to buy or sell holiday as part of our flexible benefits package.
• Generous pension scheme matching up to 12%.
• Life cover from day one.

Employment Details

• Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
• Employment type: Full‑time
• Job function: Other