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Posted 15 August, 2026

Associate Cost Manager / QS | Defence Secondment

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
Salisbury, ENG, GB Full Time

Job Description

Hays Property and Surveying are seeking an Associate Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor (PQS) to join a national construction consultancy based near Salisbury.

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An established national multidisciplinary construction consultancy is seeking an experienced Associate Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to join its growing team in Salisbury. This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in the delivery of secure, technically complex and strategically important projects on behalf of a major public sector client within the defence sector.

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The opportunity will see you seconded as part of a long-term framework partnership, working with other project and cost consultants who are embedded within the client's in-house team of built environment professionals. The role will be based on-site at the client's offices based near Salisbury, with a hybrid working policy available.

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Your new roleWorking as part of a collaborative team, you will take a leading role in providing cost management and quantity surveying services across a varied portfolio of projects. The role will suit someone who is commercially astute, confident working with stakeholders, and comfortable operating in a secure and regulated project environment. You will be expected to oversee the project cost management through all stages of the RIBA process, with individual contract values in excess of £5M+. Specific projects are highly sensitive, but typically include offices, industrial storage facilities, laboratories and research centres.

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  • Lead the delivery of cost management and quantity surveying services across a range of construction and infrastructure-related projects.
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  • Provide pre- and post-contract cost advice, including cost planning, procurement support, tender documentation, contract administration and final account negotiation.
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  • Work closely with project managers, designers, contractors and client-side stakeholders to support effective project delivery.
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  • Prepare accurate cost estimates, feasibility studies, budget reports and financial forecasts.
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  • Manage change control, valuations, risk allowances and cost reporting throughout the project lifecycle.
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  • Support junior team members, contributing to technical development, quality assurance and best practice within the wider cost management team.
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  • Build strong client relationships and contribute to the continued growth of the business.
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What you'll need to succeed

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  • Proven experience as a Quantity Surveyor or Cost Manager within a construction consultancy or client-side environment.
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  • Professionally qualified or working towards MRICS, MCIOB professional accreditation.
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  • Strong pre- and post-contract experience across building, infrastructure or complex estate-related projects.
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  • Confident in managing client relationships and advising stakeholders on cost, value, risk and commercial strategy.
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  • Experience of working on projects within the defence sector would be highly advantageous.
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  • Proficient knowledge of NEC & JCT contract forms.
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  • Excellent communication, reporting and commercial management skills.
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  • Comfortable working in a secure environment, with the ability to meet any required security clearance criteria.
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  • Hold a UK passport and British Citizenship is essential.
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What you need to do nowFor more information regarding this, or any other opportunity, please contact our Southampton Property and Surveying specialist, Jamie Poll on .

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