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- Tasks: Lead financial management for major projects, including budgeting and reporting.
- Company: Join a global engineering organisation known for its innovative projects.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension contributions, and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of impactful projects while enhancing your finance skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a fully qualified accountant with 5 years of relevant experience.
- Other info: Ideal for those who thrive in fast-paced, collaborative settings.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
Robert Half is working with a global engineering organisation to recruit a Principal Cost Specialist. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced finance professional to take ownership of cost planning and financial control across complex projects within a regulated environment. The role will support large-scale project delivery from a finance perspective, working closely with project teams and central finance to ensure cost transparency, robust reporting, and accurate forecasting.
For the right candidate, this role offers: £70,000 - £80,000, pension of up to 8% and excellent opportunity for growth.
Key Responsibilities- Take the lead on financial management of major projects, including cost forecasting, budgeting, and reporting.
- Monitor and manage project expenditure, ensuring accurate cost capture and compliance with governance processes.
- Work closely with project controls teams to track performance against budget and provide financial insight to support delivery.
- Produce monthly reports including P&L, cash flow, and cost-to-complete analyses.
- Support monthly reviews, presenting financial updates to project leads and senior stakeholders.
- Contribute to the development of annual budgets and rolling forecasts across the programme.
- Liaise with central finance on month-end processes and ensure alignment with wider business reporting cycles.
- Fully qualified accountant (CIMA, ACA or ACCA).
- 5 years post-qualification experience in a finance role with strong project exposure.
- Strong understanding of project cost control, budgeting, and forecasting.
- Experience working with or alongside project controls or commercial teams.
- Confident communicator, able to present complex financial data to non-finance stakeholders.
- Strong attention to detail and excellent organisational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work to tight deadlines.
- Comfortable working both independently and as part of a wider finance/project team.
Principal Cost Specialist employer: Robert Half
Contact Detail:
Robert Half Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Cost Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the engineering and finance sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet people who work in similar roles. This can help you gain insights into the company culture and potentially get a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific financial software and tools commonly used in project cost management. Being able to demonstrate your proficiency in these tools during interviews can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in managing project budgets and forecasts. Have specific examples ready that showcase your ability to handle complex financial data and how you contributed to successful project outcomes.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company’s recent projects and financial performance. Understanding their current challenges and successes will allow you to tailor your discussions and show how your skills can directly benefit their operations.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Cost Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in financial management, cost forecasting, and budgeting. Use specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to manage project expenditure and work with project teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss how your qualifications as a fully qualified accountant and your experience in project finance make you an ideal candidate for the Principal Cost Specialist position.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your strong understanding of project cost control and your ability to present complex financial data to non-finance stakeholders. Mention your organisational skills and your experience working under tight deadlines.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a finance role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Robert Half
✨Showcase Your Financial Expertise
As a Principal Cost Specialist, it's crucial to demonstrate your deep understanding of financial management. Be prepared to discuss your experience with cost forecasting, budgeting, and reporting in detail, using specific examples from your past roles.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions that assess your knowledge of project cost control and governance processes. Brush up on relevant regulations and best practices, and be ready to explain how you've applied these in previous projects.
✨Communicate Clearly with Non-Finance Stakeholders
Since the role involves presenting complex financial data to non-financial stakeholders, practice simplifying your explanations. Use clear, concise language and consider using visuals or analogies to make your points more relatable.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
With multiple priorities and tight deadlines, showcasing your organisational skills is key. Prepare to discuss how you manage competing tasks and ensure accuracy in your work, perhaps by sharing specific tools or methods you use to stay organised.
