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- Tasks: Support Project Directors with planning, scheduling, and monitoring project progress.
- Company: Buro Happold is a leading engineering firm known for innovative and sustainable solutions worldwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 25 days holiday, a generous pension scheme, and flexible benefits.
- Why this job: Join a supportive culture focused on continuous development and community impact.
- Qualifications: Degree in Business Management, Finance, Engineering, or Project Management; strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: We value diversity and welcome applications from underrepresented groups.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Buro Happold is a world-class engineering and consultancy firm, renowned for delivering innovative and sustainable solutions across the globe. We have an exciting opportunity for a Project Controls Specialist to join our Projects group in the UK.
This newly formed role will provide dedicated project planning and control support to Project Directors, focusing on establishing and maintaining robust project schedules, monitoring project progress, and contributing to accurate major project pipeline tracking. Working closely with the Project Directors, you'll develop and implement consistent project control processes across their project portfolio. You'll also proactively identify project timeline and resource risks and opportunities, informing decision-making and supporting successful project delivery within agreed parameters.
Key Duties:
- Project Pipeline Maintenance: Regularly review and maintain the accuracy of the project pipeline, ensuring it reflects current project status and anticipated future projects.
- Data Integrity: Ensure bid outcomes and project details are accurately recorded in the relevant systems, maintaining data integrity across the project portfolio.
- Workstage Structuring: Create comprehensive workstage structures for all disciplines involved in projects, facilitating accurate task allocation and progress tracking.
- Project and Project Director Support: Provide dedicated project control support to a designated business unit, with the flexibility to support other areas as required.
- Draft Plan Development: Populate draft project plans during the bid stage, incorporating input from relevant disciplines and maintaining these plans as dates evolve.
- Plan Validation: Collaborate with Job Leaders to validate the accuracy of project plans, ensuring alignment with project objectives and resource allocation.
- Project Record Management: Create and maintain accurate project records, including additional jobs as required.
- Contract Administration: Populate and maintain contract management information, including invoice schedules, contingencies, and fee allocation.
- Change Control: Support the completion of internal change authorisation forms.
- Time Management Support: Facilitate time allocation adjustments between project phases, liaising with relevant departments on behalf of Project Directors.
- Project Reviews: Organise and participate in monthly project reviews, providing insights on project performance and potential risks.
- Reporting and Analysis: Produce and distribute regular reports, including Time and Labor System and Project Value Analysis reports.
- Financial Management: Conduct financial reviews and scenario planning to support informed decision-making.
- Invoice Management: Handle invoice reconciliations, ensuring accurate and timely payment processing.
- Financial Performance Monitoring: Review month-end accounts to ensure disciplines are performing within expected profit margins, escalating any concerns.
- Project Closure: Manage contingency release, advise on profit share, and ensure project closure activities are completed effectively.
- Estimate to Complete Review: Review Estimates to Complete with Job Leaders, identifying potential cost overruns or underruns.
- Best Practice Advocacy: Support project leadership in implementing best practices for project finance and lifecycle management.
- Training Support: Provide training on project management systems and best practices.
Proficiency in handling and analyzing large datasets; strong numerical skills. Experience in developing and maintaining project plans; familiarity with methodologies like Critical Path Method and Agile. Understanding of earned value management, cost control, risk management, and change management. Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to build rapport with stakeholders. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to develop creative solutions. Skilled in project management software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera P6) and Microsoft Office Suite. Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and work independently. Degree in Business Management, Finance, Engineering, Project Management, or equivalent experience.
What we offer:
- Hybrid/flexible working arrangements
- Discretionary bonus
- Holiday entitlement of 25 days per annum (exclusive of bank holidays) and flexible holiday arrangements
- Generous company pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
- Flexible benefits including cycle scheme, dental insurance, optical cover, travel insurance, season ticket loans, and corporate discounts
- Enhanced parenthood leave policies
- A strong commitment to continuous development.
- Entitlement to two memberships to professional bodies or subscriptions
- A commitment to your wellbeing through a comprehensive employee assistance programme and wellbeing activities
- An opportunity to support your local community and those in society that are most in need, wherever they are located in the world through our Share Our Skills (SOS) programme
- A supportive and inclusive environment that will welcome you through social and outreach activities from the Young Employees Forum to mentoring
- An international culture that wherever your career takes you at Buro Happold, you won’t be far from exceptional.
Apply now and be where exceptional is everywhere.
A place for everyone: Buro Happold values an individual’s flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers. Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive. We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing differences allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions. Please let us know if there are any adjustments we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you.
Location: London; Leeds; Manchester; Edinburgh; Bath, United Kingdom
Project Controls Specialist employer: Buro Happold group.
Contact Detail:
Buro Happold group. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Controls Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with project management methodologies like Critical Path Method and Agile. Understanding these frameworks will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Buro Happold on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be a game-changer during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your analytical skills by practising with large datasets. Being proficient in handling data is crucial for this role, so consider using sample project data to hone your abilities before the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with project control processes and how you've successfully managed timelines and resources in past projects. Real-life examples will showcase your expertise and problem-solving skills effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Controls Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the Project Controls Specialist role. Focus on your project management experience, familiarity with methodologies like Critical Path Method and Agile, and any software proficiency.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for project controls and your understanding of Buro Happold's values. Mention specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your ability to manage timelines, resources, and risks effectively.
Highlight Key Skills: In your application, emphasise your analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as your ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed project data and maintained accuracy in project records.
Showcase Continuous Development: Mention any relevant training or certifications you have completed, especially those related to project management systems or financial management. This shows your commitment to professional growth and aligns with Buro Happold's focus on continuous development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Buro Happold group.
✨Understand Project Controls Fundamentals
Make sure you have a solid grasp of project controls concepts, including scheduling, risk management, and earned value management. Familiarise yourself with methodologies like Critical Path Method and Agile, as these will likely come up during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss how you've handled large datasets in previous roles. Be ready to provide examples of how your strong numerical skills have contributed to successful project outcomes, especially in financial management and reporting.
✨Demonstrate Communication Proficiency
Since the role involves liaising with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare examples that highlight your written and verbal communication skills, particularly in how you've built rapport with team members and clients.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Buro Happold values flexibility in working patterns. Be prepared to discuss how you've adapted to changing project requirements or worked in diverse teams. This will show that you can thrive in their inclusive and dynamic environment.
