FPT- Cost & Contract Manager

Location:  South Wales (with flexible working)

Closing date: 10th October 2025

Shape the future of UK trade with ABP.

Associated British Ports (ABP) is both a major landlord and the UK’s largest port operator with 21 port locations in the UK. We have 87km of Quay and 5,000ha of port estate while handling approximately 100 million tonnes of cargo every year across many different industries. We’re investing in major infrastructure, renewable energy and port development projects.

• To support our ambitious growth, it is key for ABP to have a strong delivery engine for transforming new opportunities into reality.
• Ensuring best value from our contracts through high quality contract management
• Ensuring the best contractor is selected to run our services through a robust procurement process.

The Role

This is a once in a generation opportunity to deliver the cost and contract management for ABP’s Major Projects team, specifically delivering the Future Port Talbot (FPT) programme of works.  Your role will be as a senior, experienced professional in the Cost & Contract Management (CCM) team, who are a critical division of the Procurement & Contract Management (P&CM) function.

Alongside FPT, you’ll support projects valued between £20m and £1bn, covering everything from terminal buildings and warehousing to marine works and renewable and green energy.  Your role will be to optimise value and financial performance throughout the project lifecycle – from cost planning and risk management to contract negotiation, management and administration.

You will work closely with our internal team, made of highly experienced project managers, designers, engineers, legal advisors and procurement professionals, as well as our external team of consultants and contractors.  You will be a key piece of the CCM and FPT team; you will be providing best-in-class advice on risk, cost and contracts, adhering to a culture that values continuous improvement, talent development and safety.

What You’ll Do

• Provide cost and contract management expertise, tailored to the nature and risk profile of the project scope, with minimal oversight on day-to-day activities
• Responsibility of all project-related costs and cost management activities
• Responsibility of supplier contract management via the NEC4 suite of contracts
• Management and accountability of external cost consultants and their outputs
• Provide strategic cost, commercial, contractual and procurement advice to the Major Projects team
• Be a critical part of the procurement process
• Prepare contract documentation, such as terms and conditions, and review and comment, supplement and augment and improve tender documentation (including the Scope of services or Employer’s Requirements) to ensure the appropriate allocation of risk           
• Ensure alignment with the CCM Group Lead on key decisions, commercial strategies and concerns and notification of all potential disputes to ensure alignment with Group Best Practice
• Ensure new statutory provisions are appropriately and consistently reflected in contracts.

What We’re Looking For

•  Strong technical background in cost, commercial and contract management in complex infrastructure, including: Marine/maritime - Civils & infrastructure - Mechanical & electrical

• Expertise in providing Contract and Cost expertise to major projects, with experience in multidisciplinary team delivery environments throughout the whole project lifecycle
• Proficient in the development of Project Delivery Strategies including risk identification, authoring and negotiating multi forms of contract and bespoke agreements
• Ability to think logically and problem solve to meet project delivery requirements with minimal supervision
• Great communicator, negotiator and problem solver
• An Honours degree, or equivalent relevant experience, in Construction Commercial Management (such as Quantity Surveying) or a related field
• Professional qualification/Chartership (MRICS, MCIOB or equivalent)
• Exceptional knowledge and experience of administration of the NEC4 suite
• Good IT skills; proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and cost management software (such as CostX, Causeway, CostOS).

Additional Information:

When joining ABP you will find an environment that is both welcoming and challenging. We reward our employees well and offer a generous remuneration package, employer pension, private health insurance and a range of other benefits.

Please note that ABP undertake random screening for substance abuse and operate a zero-tolerance policy. A medical will be required before starting this position also.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their background, which helps us to provide a diverse and inclusive working environment.

As part of our recruitment process, all successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment screening to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Please note your consent will be required and further information on this check can be found using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels