Cost Planning and Commercial Lead

Sovereign Network Group; Wembley; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading housing association in the UK is seeking a Cost Planning and Commercial Lead to support their development team. This role involves cost planning, collaborating with teams to mitigate risks, and preparing cost plans for residential projects. Candidates should have significant experience in quantity surveying and a strong understanding of high-density development. This position offers hybrid working, 25 days holiday, and a generous pension scheme.

Benefits

Hybrid, flexible working

25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays

Generous pension scheme matching up to 12%

Qualifications

• Significant relevant experience in cost planning or quantity surveying.
• Experience on projects ranging from £50million to £150million in value.
• Strong understanding of residential brownfield development.

Responsibilities

• Provide regional cost planning and commercial advice.
• Prepare and maintain detailed cost plans and viability appraisals.
• Collaborate with design, technical, and commercial teams for buildable solutions.

Skills

Cost planning

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Use of cost planning software

Education

Degree in construction or built environment related field

Tools

Cost planning software

Job description

Cost Planning and Commercial Lead role at SNG (Sovereign Network Group).

SNG (Sovereign Network Group) provided pay range

This range is provided by SNG (Sovereign Network Group). Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Are you an experienced Commercial Lead or Employers Agent with knowledge of viability, feasibility pre‑construction analysis with regards to detailed cost estimates for residential projects?

As one of the most active developing housing associations in the UK, SNG's Investment and Development team has a strategy to invest £7bn into new and existing homes over the next ten years. We are proud that we're leading the way on setting the very highest standards for affordable homes and great places to live. We're seeking a Cost Planning and Commercial Lead to join our development team.

The role

• The role will provide regional cost planning and commercial advice in support of 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.
• Responsibilities will include:
• Collaborating with colleagues, stakeholders, supply chain and consultants to ensure SNG's development risks are quantified and mitigated throughout the design, procurement and delivery of new homes.
• Preparing and maintaining detailed cost plans and viability appraisals from RIBA (Royal Institution of British Architects) stages 1–4.
• Supporting land acquisition and feasibility studies with commercial input.
• Collaborating with design, technical, and commercial teams to ensure cost‑effective and buildable solutions.
• Benchmarking costs and maintain a library of rates and data for future reference.
• Assisting in value engineering and risk identification to optimise commercial outcomes in all development activity.
• Interpreting drawings and specifications to produce cost schedules and budget estimates.
• Attending design team meetings, site visits, and liaise with PQS (Professional Quantity Surveying) consultants.
• Ensuring costs are assessed in compliance with planning obligations.

What we're looking for

• A degree in a 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 working on projects ranging from £50million to £150million 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, site remediation.
• Previous experience in cost‑estimating traditional construction for houses and apartments as well as apartment superstructure and various modern methods of construction, undertaking market‑testing and cost/value benchmarking of the same.

What can we offer you

• Hybrid, flexible working plus x3 paid wellness days per annum
• 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays (with an extra day every year up to 30 days)
• A chance to buy or sell holiday as part of our flexible benefits package
• A generous pension scheme matching up to 12%
• Life cover as soon as you join us

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Other

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