Cost Intelligence Lead: Water Infrastructure Projects

Stantec is growing a specialist engineering‑led cost capability within our Water sector to support better decision‑making on complex water and wastewater assets. This role is for engineers who think in assets, processes and systems, and who want to apply cost insight at the point where engineering choices really matter.

Our continued success in delivering for many of the UK’s leading utility providers and major infrastructure developers is bringing significant growth across our team. If you care about your community and want to be involved in delivering improvements to the environment and infrastructure, then you may well be interested in the opportunities that we have coming up for a Cost Intelligence Specialist within our Programme Management and Commercial Management team.

This role can be based from any of our UK offices, with hybrid working allowing for a great work-life balance.

Role overview

You will work alongside water and wastewater engineers, planners and asset specialists to support optioneering, asset strategies and early‑stage scheme development for treatment works, pumping stations, networks and sludge facilities across the UK. The focus is not on cost control or commercial management, but on using engineering judgement to understand cost drivers, trade‑offs and value in infrastructure decisions.

The successful candidate will work across major programmes with clients in the water and energy sectors, focusing on optimising the financial performance of major projects and programmes.

About You

You will have experience of taking a lead role in delivering complex commercial programs and leading on cost intelligence initiatives that uncover opportunities for cost reduction and overall financial efficiency. You will have key strengths in the areas of cost modelling, estimating and cost challenge.

You will have prior experience within engineering, operations, cost analysis, financial modelling, or within similar roles, and have strong proficiency in data analysis tools, such as Excel, SQL, or Tableau.

Whilst not essential, experience within the water, energy, or related utility sectors, would be very advantageous.

Key responsibilities:

• Supporting engineering optioneering by assessing how different technical options, standards and configurations affect capital and whole‑life cost

• Working at asset, process group and process component level on water and wastewater schemes (e.g. treatment works, pumping stations, networks, sludge processes)

• Translating engineering scope and process selections into robust, transparent cost insight that informs client recommendations

• Collaborating with multi‑disciplinary teams (process, civil, MEICA, planning) to shape cost‑aware engineering solutions

• Challenging cost outcomes using engineering logic and asset understanding, rather than purely financial rules

• Contributing to the development of consistent cost and asset frameworks used across projects and programmes

As a senior member of our team, you will be committed to the professional development of other team members – providing guidance and mentorship to help them grow and develop their careers.

Our Team:

As a member of our Programme Management and Commercial Management team, you will be joining a community of people that are passionate about providing a quality service to our clients and the customers they serve. Our roles can vary between clients, and as such we are looking for people that can:

• Adapt to the challenge of working in different environments.

• Be proactive in providing tailor-made programme management solutions.

• Work within collaborative teams to deliver outstanding results.

WHY JOIN US

• We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.

• We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘International Consulting Firm of the Year’ at the NCE Awards 2024.

• We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.

• We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups )

• Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK - we want you to be part of it!

• Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.

• Hybrid / Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.

About Stantec

The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.

Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities.

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.

Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world-class talent is a crucial key to our success. If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply.

At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact we will talk to you about how we can support you.

ReqID: 8438

Other Locations: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Warrington, Newcastle, Leeds, Exeter, Bristol, Cardiff, Brighton, Southampton, Ashford, Reading, High Wycombe, Cambridge

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