Assistant Cost Manager; Placement

Title: Year Out Placement

Department: Cost Management

Discipline: Cost Management

Location: London (Hybrid Working)

Duration: 12 months

At RLB, we live by four simple ideas:
Truth, Trust, Together, Tomorrow. These values sit at the heart of RLB, where people make progress.

RLB is a great place to start your career in the built environment. We’re proud of how we guide, mentor and support people from the earliest stages of their careers, laying the foundations for their future success. Join us and thrive personally and professionally.

At RLB, we’re shaping the future of the built environment. Our placements give you an opportunity to explore what it’s like to work at RLB, gain hands‑on experience, and start building your career in a supportive, collaborative environment.

As a Cost Management Placement at RLB, you’ll work alongside experienced Cost Managers to support the delivery of high-quality cost and commercial advice across a variety of projects. This hands‑on placement will give you insight into how we manage costs through all stages of a construction project — from initial estimates and feasibility studies to tendering and final account.

You’ll gain valuable experience in data analysis, project reporting, and stakeholder collaboration, while developing your understanding of how we help our clients achieve value for money and sustainable project outcomes.

• Support the preparation of cost estimates, budgets, and cost plans for live projects.
• Assist in updating project cost reports and tracking financial progress.
• Review supplier and contractor quotations with guidance from senior team members.
• Contribute to benchmarking exercises and market research on materials and pricing.
• Help prepare tender documentation and assess returns.
• Attend internal and client meetings to observe the cost management process in action.
• Maintain accurate project data and assist with document management.
• Learn to use RLB’s cost management systems and digital tools.

We’re looking for people who are curious, motivated, and ready to learn. You’ll be studying a RICS‑accredited degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or a related discipline.

• Great communication and teamwork skills.
• A proactive approach and willingness to get involved.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• A passion for learning and making a difference.

• Hybrid working patterns to support your work‑life balance; competitive maternity and paternity packages.
• Competitive salary and generous holiday entitlement; opportunity to purchase up to five extra days.
• Health and wellbeing options, including gym membership and cycle‑to‑work schemes.
• Private healthcare insurance and medical support, including dental insurance and eyecare vouchers.
• Continuous learning and development programme, including established APC and in‑house mentoring schemes.
• Season ticket loan and professional membership subscriptions.
• Opportunity to work on diverse projects across different sectors and regions.
• Team and social events, charity fundraising and volunteering activities.

We believe in building a diverse and inclusive environment where each person can be themselves, feel valued for their contribution and be challenged and supported to reach their full potential. We have a responsibility to support the communities in which we live and work, and that our workforce should reflect these communities and our clients. Our talent strategy should enable us to overcome bias in the construction industry by recruiting, retaining, developing, and promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you during any stage of the application or interview process, please contact our recruitment team at