Head of Cost Management

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

Location: Nottingham Support Office

Closing date: 21/04/26

Recruitment Partner: Daniel White,

We are seeking an experienced Cost Manager to lead commercial activities across a portfolio of projects and to build and manage a small team of internal quantity surveyors as a Head of Cost Management.

This role combines hands on commercial expertise with leadership responsibility, ensuring projects are delivered profitably, compliantly, and in line with contractual obligations. The ideal candidate will be professionally trained (RICS), have a proven track record in retail commercial cost management, be commercially astute, confident in client facing environments, and passionate about developing others.

What you'll be doing

In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for developing and implementing cost management strategies that align with our business objectives, ensuring we maximise value while maintaining quality.

Key responsibilities Commercial Management

• Take ownership of the overall annual cost management of the capital budget, inclusive of major capital investment across both projects and facilities management.
• Support with building annual capital budgets and represent at a key stakeholder level.
• Lead the end to end commercial lifecycle across multiple projects, from tender stage to final account.
• Prepare, review, and negotiate contracts, subcontracts, bills of quantities, and procurement documentation in line with the business contractual framework agreement, or before one off tenders.
• Own and maintain the contractual framework agreement, ensuring compliance in regard to total project delivery.
• Oversee cost planning, cost reporting, value engineering, cashflow forecasting, and risk management.
• Ensure accurate and timely submission of valuations, variations, compensation events, and claims.
• Manage change control processes and advise project teams on commercial implications.
• Conduct detailed analysis of project performance, identifying commercial risks and opportunities.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Lead financial appraisals of capital projects, including support with business cases in regard to IRR and NPV calculations.
• Manage the asset under construction journal, and ensure costs are correctly capitalised upon completion.

Team Leadership & Management

• Line manage a team of Quantity Surveyors and Assistant QSs, providing coaching, mentoring, and professional development.
• Allocate workload effectively and oversee performance, ensuring quality and consistency of commercial outputs.
• Support the recruitment, onboarding, and continued training of commercial team members.
• Promote best practices in commercial governance, reporting, and compliance.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture aligned with company values.

Strategic & Business Support

• Support senior management in developing commercial strategy and improving internal processes.
• Contribute to bid reviews, pricing strategies, and business development activities.
• Provide accurate commercial insight for forecasting, budgeting, and executive reporting.
• Ensure projects meet financial targets and contractual deliverables.

What you'll need to have (our must haves)

• Proven experience in cost management or financial analysis within a property or construction environment.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a team.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving abilities.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
• A proactive approach to driving change and improvement.

It would be great if you also have

• Experience with project management methodologies.
• Knowledge of procurement processes and contract management.
• A relevant professional qualification (e.g., MRICS, CIMA).

Where your brilliance can take you

At Boots, we believe in nurturing talent and providing opportunities for growth. As the Head of Cost Management, you will have the chance to shape your career path and explore various avenues within our organisation.

Rewards designed for you

• Boots Retirement Savings Plan (up to 12% company contribution)
• Generous employee discounts for you and a family member
• Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave pay
• Access to free, 24/7 counselling and support through TELUS Health, our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Flexible benefits scheme including options for additional holiday, discounted gym membership, life assurance, and much more.

Find out more at Exclusions may apply; eligible roles only.

A bit about us

At Boots, we're proud to be an equal opportunity employer, creating a place where everyone feels welcome, supported, and free to be themselves. We believe that when our people feel valued and included, they thrive, so we're committed to creating a brilliant Boots for our people so they can make a difference for our customers and colleagues every time.