Cost Lead

Project Controls Cost Lead - Capital Infrastructure Sector: Nuclear New Build / Mega-Project Infrastructure Location: London or Suffolk/Leiston area (Hybrid Working) Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent Vetting Requirements: Standard UK Baseline Vetting / Background Checks The Opportunity: We are partnering with a premier Tier 1 technical services and project controls consultancy to recruit a Project Controls Cost Lead. Operating within an expanding Nuclear Power Programmes division, this senior position oversees financial governance, baseline budget management, and cost forecasting for multi-billion-pound capital energy assets at various stages of the project lifecycle. This role provides a unique blend of client-facing authority and internal leadership. You will direct a team of cost engineers to monitor multi-million-pound design and construction packages, implementing innovative cost-engineering processes to safeguard budget adherence on a landmark UK infrastructure development. Key Responsibilities: Procedure Development: Author and establish comprehensive project cost control procedures tailored to client requirements, ensuring complete alignment with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the master Project Execution Plan. Capital Budget Management: Formulate, baseline, and manage Project Total Installed Cost (TIC) budgets derived from initial capital cost estimates. Cross-Functional Liaison: Partner directly with Project Managers and package leads to secure timely, accurate deliverables for monthly cost-reporting and forecasting cycles. Trend & Variance Interrogation: Review and interrogate detailed analysis of professional services costs, supply chain expenditure, and engineering man-hour trends to identify and mitigate projected budget overruns or under-runs. Project Controls Integration: Collaborate closely with Estimating and Planning/Scheduling functions to ensure consistent, aligned data streams across cost, resource allocation, and timeline progress. Earned Value Management: Manage and maintain robust Earned Value Measurement (EVM) systems to track the performance of both professional design services and major construction subcontracts. Change Control Ownership: Develop and oversee the project change management process. Compile, justify, and present complex variations reflecting the full impact of scope changes on budget and schedule frameworks. Contingency Forecasting: Manage and model risk contingency drawdown profiles to provide accurate forward-looking financial exposure reports. Team Leadership: Provide day-to-day direction, performance management, and task allocation for cost engineering personnel reporting into the project controls function. Executive Presentation: Compile and present high-level cost status reports, outturn forecasts, and financial risk reviews directly to senior management and client executives. What We're Looking For: Industrial Environment Track Record: Imperative experience delivering cost control and budget management frameworks within a combined design and heavy construction environment. Capital Cost Bias: Extensive, demonstrable experience focused on Capital Cost Management for mega-projects or major infrastructure programmes. Sector Background: Proven experience operating within the process industries, conventional power generation, oil and gas, or heavy infrastructure sectors (Nuclear sector experience is highly advantageous). Education & Credentials: Degree-level education or equivalent higher technical qualification in Project Controls, Commercial Management, Engineering, or Finance. Analytical Skills: Strong capability for driving process innovation, utilizing technical and financial data to find creative solutions to complex project controls challenges. What's on Offer (Package & Benefits): Salary: High-tier base salary aligned with senior project controls appointments. Work-Life Balance: Dedicated commitment to flexibility, including established hybrid working frameworks. Healthcare: Comprehensive private single medical cover and digital GP service access. Family Benefits: Enhanced parental leave pay structures alongside access to employee assistance and parental wellness programmes. Professional Development: Financial backing and reimbursement towards relevant professional institutional memberships and continued professional development (CPD). Corporate Culture: A highly collaborative, modern workspace backed by extensive global employee networks, matched-funding, and paid volunteering schemes