Cost Intelligence Manager

About the job

National Highways have an excellent opportunity for a Cost Intelligence Manager to join our Unit Cost Development team within the Business Services Directorate (BSD). As a Cost Intelligence Manager, you will provide advice and support to the business on commercial issues, enhancing National Highways’ capability as an informed and intelligent organisation.

The Cost Intelligence Manager will also engage with stakeholders across the business to develop cost capture and cost intelligence systems and processes from the earliest stages of contract development through to delivery. You will interpret cost data and support the creation and on-going development of information and intelligence, undertaking analysis of key data sets and recommending how the use of cost intelligence can improve performance and investment decisions. You will also be supporting the development and application of the end-to-end process required to support and deliver the Efficiency KPI and unit cost management.

Please note this role can be based from any of our UK offices however; travel to regional offices to attend team meetings may be required.

- Commercial work streams designed to enhance NH’s reputation as an informed and commercially intelligent client across capital programmes.

- Supporting the design and implementation of robust processes and systems for cost capture and cost base reporting and supporting assurance of cost intelligence, ensuring that the quality of reporting withstands scrutiny internally and externally.

- Interpreting complex commercial data and identifying trends and conclusions based on this analysis.

- Supporting the development and implementation of contractual arrangements for cost intelligence and reporting on opportunities for improving sustainable value for money and investment decisions.

About you

- Excellent understanding of commercial and financial management

- Advanced data analysis capability and thorough understanding of factors affecting unit cost drivers and movement.

- Demonstratable process development and reporting experience

- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills

- Significant experience of handling large and complex datasets (e.g. SQL database querying / coding in Python) is desirable.

About us

Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England’s motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this, are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership.

Business Services plays a crucial role in supporting the efficient operation and growth of the strategic road network. We provide a wide range of essential services across the organisation, ensuring that all functions run smoothly and effectively. We work behind the scenes to support the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and services, ensuring that National Highways meets its commitments to safety, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.

Our key areas of focus include procurement, finance, human resources, IT, and strategic planning. We ensure the company operates efficiently, delivers projects on time and within budget, and meets the needs of stakeholders. By offering expert advice, managing resources, and driving operational excellence, we support National Highways in achieving its mission of maintaining and improving the road network across the country.

External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy.

We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds .