Senior Cost Consultant - University Sector

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Senior Cost Consultant - University Sector

View more categories View less categories Sector Education and Childcare Role Senior Executive Contract Type Permanent Hours Full Time

Position status: This opportunity is for a bid, so it is not yet a secured role. If you would like to be considered as we progress with this position, please click to apply.

At Mace, our purpose is to redefine the boundaries of ambition. We believe in creating places that are responsible, bringing transformative impact to our people, communities and societies across the globe. To learn more about our purpose, culture, and priorities, visit our strategy site.

Within our consult business, we harness our unique combination of leading-edge practical expertise and project delivery consultancy to unlock the potential of every project.

The project: A variety of university projects across the Midlands. This role is to work as part of the wider university UK team.

The UK university sector is undergoing continuous change as a result of the pandemic that will change the way the built environment meets the needs of its users, becoming more flexible and adaptable to blending ways of learning. Decarbonisation of the university estate continues more than ever to be a priority and in line with the Mace priorities, we continue to support universities in achieving their own ambitions in response to the climate emergency declarations.

At Mace, we have extensive experience delivering projects, estate strategies, estate master planning and supporting the decarbonisation of their estate for a wide range of university clients across the UK.

We are currently expanding our university team and are seeking a talented senior cost consultant to join us, this opportunity will support and grow our project and programme management services and will be instrumental in driving numerous high-profile projects, making it an essential addition to our team. The role will involve taking responsibility for end-to-end service delivery, often with respect to large and complex commissions within the public and private sectors. You will get the opportunity to work on prestigious projects with high profile clients in an exciting time for Mace as we continue to develop our market offerings.

Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey, they are:

Safety first - Going home safe and well:

• You will be an advocate of Mace's value of safety first, and be accountable for leading and maintaining exceptional safety, quality, cost, programme, sustainability and project compliance standards.
  
• You will possess technical expertise in local health and safety rules and regulations relevant to project portfolio.
  
• You will champion a diverse and inclusive working environment and understand the importance of the wellbeing of the people you manage.
  

Client focus - Deliver on our promise:

• You will manage cost planning including ownership of and presenting cost plans to clients and internal stakeholders.
  
• You will manage the procurement process, ensuring stages including prequalification, enquiry, analysis, selection and contract preparation are performed effectively.
  
• You will support the delivery of cost management services to deliver key strategic outcomes and KPIs, directly influencing strategic development of plans.
  
• Accountable for feasibility studies, advising on procurement strategies and contract selection, writing and undertaking procurement reports.
  
• Utilises expertise and applies the value management techniques at the outset of a project.
  
• Manages, estimating and cost planning activities to include taking ownership of and presenting the final cost plan.
  
• Contributes to the procurement process, ensuring that all stages including prequalification, enquiry, analysis, selection and contract preparation are performed effectively.
  
• Supervises the preparation of the contract documents, warranties, bonds and licenses and assist formal execution by the appropriate parties.
  
• Advises on administration of the terms of the building contract.
  
• Accountable for the measurement of valuations of the work carried out and ensuring that cost checking and valuation work is managed effectively.
  
• Ensures adequate cost control and reporting services during the contract and the production of monthly post-contract cost reports and presenting them to the client.
  
• Identifies all costs associated with design changes, contract awards, construction activities and client charges.
  
• Oversees and engages in the evaluation of claims for delay and additional costs made by the contractor and any nominated subcontractors/suppliers.
  
• Provides comprehensive advice on the issuing of certificate of making good defects and final completion in accordance with any requirements relating to completion, submissions and approvals.
  
• Advises on the issue of certificates of practical completion and ensure that final accounts are negotiated and agreed.
  
• Manages team of cost consultants, providing guidance, direction and coaching and performance management.
  
• Delivers improvements in systems and processes, driving transformational change.
  
• Provides mentoring/training to members of the team.
  
• Shares technical/functional/domain expertise to upskill capabilities.
  
• Develops and maintains a series of both internal and external relationships.
  
• Manages and influences key/senior stakeholders.
  
• Identifies and implements continuous improvement plans/identifies key business improvements.
  
• Works collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition and share responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.
  

Integrity - Always do the right thing:

• You will manage operations that are fiscally and ethically viable, influencing the achievement of business objectives that align with business and legislative compliance obligations.
  
• You will work collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition and share responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.
  
• You will commit to making a positive impact for our people, our clients, and our planet, and take ownership for holding others to account who do not uphold the Mace values.

Create opportunity - For our people to excel:

• You will manage teams, demonstrating effective leadership to ensure excellence in delivery against plans, championing a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities.
  
• You will actively network, innovate, and seek understanding of best practice, utilising the full depth of knowledge of Mace group, the centres of excellence, mace way control centre and knowledge hub.
  
• You will manage other cost consultants to identify and execute opportunities that improve cost management procedures, templates and products to enhance services provided to stakeholders.
  

You'll need to have:

• You have a degree qualification in a relevant discipline.
  
• You have proven experience with higher education clients.
  
• You have a track record of winning and delivering work for new build, refurbishment, and infrastructure works and estate master planning experience in the delivery of complex HE projects.
  
• You have wide experience of strategic advice on the built environment such as estate strategies, master planning, decarbonisation, and technology.
  
• You have experience in contract administration and using various forms of contract, in particular, NEC will be preferable.
  
• You have experience in negotiating, influencing and communication skills to command professional respect at all levels.
  
• You are digitally savvy, can build lasting client relationships and lead high-performing teams within a commercial environment.
  
• You will have a cost consultancy practice and be hungry to grow your career and enjoy the opportunities Mace has to offer.
  

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all of the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.

We are also open to discussing part-time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.

Please remember the Employee Referral Scheme and if there are any talented people you can recommend, just click the button and use the 'Refer a friend' feature found within the relevant job.

Company

If you can bring a different perspective to help us shape the cities of tomorrow, take a look at the opportunities we have to join us.

Fortune favours the brave - and so do we

At Mace we empower our people to be collaborative, curious and embrace their entrepreneurial spirits. We aim to attract the best and brightest people, whatever their background, to bring new perspectives to some of the most challenging and inspiring projects around the world.

You might be part of our healthcare team delivering critical hospital care units, or our education team creating schools to inspire our future leaders. You could be a graduate working on the world’s tallest building, or be managing the construction of world-leading cultural landmarks. Whatever your passion, we have an opportunity that will bring out the best in you.

At Mace we want you to feel comfortable from day 1, so for any questions about a career at Mace, including application advice, please contactpaul.deaville@macegroup.com for a confidential chat.

Our clients say that it’s our people that make the difference

Our people think harder, do better and go further. Every day at Mace is an opportunity to think and do things differently. We were founded more than 30 years ago, and every day our entrepreneurial culture plays a huge role in our success. We exist to seek out the world’s most interesting projects that challenge and excite us.

We want our employees to thrive and achieve their highest potential. We are passionate about creating an environment that provides opportunities for the most stimulating and fulfilling careers. We encourage innovation and welcome new perspectives by attracting and developing people with diverse talent who inspire our thinking, challenge our solutions and enhance our culture.

At Mace you can deepen your knowledge, expand your skills, see the world and get to work with both inspiring colleagues and influential clients – whatever your passion, we have an opportunity that will bring out the best in you. But don’t just take our word for it; below you can see what some of our people had to say.

Reward and recognition

We invest in our people and provide a strong benefits package, which in the UK includes:

• 22 days of holiday, plus two ‘Mace Days’ to support work-life balance, bank holidays and December holiday shut down
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Highly competitive maternity and paternity package
• Reimbursement of professional subscriptions and membership fees
• Season ticket loan
• Annual health screening
• Private medical insurance
• Sponsorship of education schemes (on approval)
• Continuous on the job training and development
• Cycle to work scheme
• Our international benefit packages are comparable. Please contact our recruitment team for more information.

We know that many parents can face challenges when balancing the demands of work and their home lives. At Mace, we fully support our people when they choose to balance their career with family life. We offer enhanced family leave, as well as options for flexible working and alternative working patterns to support and improve the work-life balance of our employees.

Our performance management and appraisal approach is based on ability and talent. Top performers are recognised for both their contribution to projects and their broader contribution to the business.

At Mace we appreciate the differences that everyone brings to work and we recognise the importance of people being free to be themselves.

Regardless of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, or affiliation to any political party, we embrace diversity and believe in creating an inclusive environment where every Mace person is treated equally, fairly and with respect.

We are proud partners of Stonewall’s global diversity champions programme that ensures all LGBT+ staff are accepted without exception at Mace.

Mace’s corporate purpose statement is ‘Redefining the boundaries of ambition’.

Support for disabled employees is provided by:

Our recruitment and HR Teams have undertaken disability awareness training and are eager to provide an inclusive and accessibility experience to job applicants and new colleagues.

Enabled at Mace – employee network. Its aims are to support its members and, to "to raise awareness and remove barriers around disability, neurodiversity and other impairments” to support their aim to create an inclusive and diverse workplace for everyone.

Disability Confident – We are using the requirements of the government scheme to create an inclusive environment for disabled job applicants and existing colleagues.

Clear Assured – an externally verified accreditation around equality, diversity and inclusion practice across our business, driving improvements to our policies, processes and practices.

Recite Me – an assistive technology tool that provides access support to all employees. It is located on our intranet site, our website and job vacancy platform.

Mace are member of the Business Disability Forum, giving access to a wide range of resources and information. Our line managers have access to their confidential support line.

Silver Clear Assured Award

ridi - Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative Awards 2021 - Highly Commended Category

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