Associate Director

Cumming Group is an international project and cost management consultancy delivering innovative solutions in construction, real estate, and infrastructure. With a commitment to collaboration, transparency, and performance excellence, we support some of the world’s most respected clients across diverse range of sectors.

Due to continued growth across our Infrastructure & Utilities portfolio, we are seeking an Associate Director to strengthen our Manchester office, with regular presence in Warrington to support key client delivery.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for a Utilities-focused professional with strong NEC expertise and a proven track record in work-winning and client development.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead and grow Utilities sector service delivery across Manchester and Warrington.

• Develop and nurture long-term client relationships, identifying cross-sell and growth opportunities.

• Take ownership of revenue targets, profitability and P&L performance within your portfolio.

• Lead NEC-based project delivery (NEC3/NEC4), ensuring robust commercial and contract management.

• Drive work-winning activity, bid leadership, fee proposals and strategic positioning.

• Oversee resource planning, forecasting and team utilisation to meet sector growth objectives.

• Provide leadership and line management to direct reports, including mentoring and annual appraisals.

• Support recruitment aligned with long-term sector strategy.

• Ensure governance, quality assurance, and commercial controls are embedded across projects.

• Monitor project financial performance and support fee recovery where required.

Knowledge & Skills Required:

• Strong background in Utilities infrastructure (water, energy, power, or regulated environments).

• Demonstrable NEC contract expertise (essential).

• Proven ability to win work and develop client relationships.

• Commercially astute with experience managing project profitability and budgets.

• Experience leading teams and delivering complex infrastructure programmes.

• Confident communicator with strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills.

• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering or similar.

• MRICS (or equivalent) preferred.

Why Join Cumming Group?

At Cumming Group, your success is measured by the impact you make. We offer:

• The opportunity to shape and grow a key Utilities region.

• A collaborative and entrepreneurial culture.

• Exposure to high-profile infrastructure programmes.

• Clear progression towards Director-level opportunities.

• A business that values innovation, accountability and leadership.

You’ll be joining a dynamic team where initiative is encouraged, performance is recognised, and long-term career development is supported.

Cumming Group is committed to creating a diverse workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All job applicants will receive equal treatment without regard to age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, “race” (includes nationality, national / ethnic origins, colour) marriage & civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, gender reassignment, religion and belief.

Note for Recruitment Agencies:

We prefer to hire directly, and we will be in touch with our PSL Agencies if this role is eligible for release.