Senior Cost Controller / Finance Manager

As part of Bouygues Construction's Public Works division, VSL International participates in the construction of major technical structures and guarantees their structural safety and durability: transport infrastructure (bridges, tunnels), industrial and energy production structures, and commercial buildings. VSL's business is based on four areas of expertise:

• Structural systems and technologies
• Civil engineering
• Foundations and soil engineering
• Preservation, structural repairs, renovation and optimization of structures

VSL has 4,000 employees at 25 locations worldwide (Asia and Oceania, Middle East, Europe, Latin America, Canada).

Location: Becket House, London (Waterloo)

Scope: UK-wide Projects

About VSL: VSL is a global specialist in engineering, construction and infrastructure solutions, and part of the Bouygues Construction Group. With expertise in specialist civil engineering, ground engineering, post-tensioning and complex structural solutions, VSL contributes to the delivery of major infrastructure projects across the UK and internationally. Our UK portfolio includes significant infrastructure programmes across transport, energy and civil engineering, working alongside leading contractors and joint venture partners.

Role Overview: We are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Controller / Finance Manager to join our UK team, based at Becket House in London, with responsibility for overseeing financial management, cost control and reporting across VSL's UK project portfolio. This is a central role providing financial oversight across multiple projects, ensuring consistency, accuracy and transparency in financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and cost management. Working closely with Project Directors, Project Managers, Commercial and Quantity Surveying teams, as well as senior management, the successful candidate will play a key role in monitoring project financial performance, identifying risks and opportunities, and supporting informed business decisions. The position requires strong construction or infrastructure finance experience, advanced SAP capability and the ability to manage financial reporting across multiple projects simultaneously.

Main Responsibilities

• Financial Management & Cost Control: Oversee cost control and financial management across VSL's UK project portfolio, ensuring consistent financial practices and reporting standards. Lead budgeting, forecasting and monthly financial reporting across multiple projects. Develop, consolidate and maintain cost-to-complete (EAC), cash flow and budget forecasts. Monitor actual expenditure against budgets and forecasts, identifying variances, trends and potential financial risks. Ensure robust financial governance, internal controls and compliance with company and Group requirements. Support project teams in improving cost visibility, financial accuracy and overall project profitability.
• Financial Reporting & SAP Management: Ensure the accuracy, integrity and consistency of financial data within SAP (FI/CO and project systems). Coordinate monthly financial close processes, including accruals, provisions, reconciliations and cut-offs. Consolidate project financial information to provide clear reporting at UK business level. Prepare timely and accurate financial reports, dashboards and performance analyses for UK management and Group stakeholders. Support the development and improvement of SAP reporting tools, financial processes and cost-tracking systems. Promote standardised financial reporting and cost control practices across UK projects.
• Project Interface & Business Partnering: Act as a key financial business partner to Project Directors, Project Managers, Commercial Managers and Quantity Surveying teams. Provide financial insight and analysis to support operational and strategic decision-making. Review and challenge project forecasts, cost assumptions and financial projections. Ensure alignment between financial reporting, project progress, commercial performance and contractual commitments. Work closely with project teams to understand financial performance and support the achievement of project objectives. Provide financial input into project reviews, management meetings and business performance discussions.
• Risk & Performance Management: Identify, assess and monitor financial risks and opportunities across the UK project portfolio. Support the development of mitigation plans and financial performance improvement initiatives. Monitor project profitability, cash flow and financial exposure, escalating significant issues where appropriate. Contribute to the continuous improvement of financial processes, reporting standards and project controls. Support the UK management team in driving financial discipline and operational efficiency.
• Leadership & Coordination: Act as a central point of contact for project finance and cost control across VSL UK. Coordinate financial reporting activities across project teams to ensure consistency and timely delivery. Provide guidance and support to project-based finance and cost control personnel. Support and mentor junior finance or cost control team members where required. Foster strong collaboration between Finance, Commercial, Operations and Project Management functions.

Candidate Profile

• Education & Experience: Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or a related discipline. Approximately 8–10 years' experience in project finance, financial management or cost control within construction, civil engineering or major infrastructure. Strong experience within the Bouygues Group or a comparable major construction or infrastructure organisation is essential. Demonstrable experience managing financial performance across multiple projects or a substantial project portfolio. Experience in specialist civil engineering, ground engineering or major infrastructure programmes would be advantageous. Previous experience in a central or regional finance role would be beneficial.
• Technical Skills: Advanced SAP experience, particularly FI/CO and project-related financial systems. Strong expertise in project budgeting, forecasting, cost-to-complete (EAC), cash flow management and financial reporting. Advanced Excel and financial modelling capabilities. Good understanding of construction project accounting, cost structures and financial controls. Strong understanding of the interfaces between Finance, Commercial, Quantity Surveying and Project Management. Ability to consolidate and analyse complex financial information across multiple projects.
• Personal Attributes: Highly analytical, commercially aware and detail-oriented. Comfortable working across multiple projects and managing competing priorities. Confident engaging with senior stakeholders and challenging financial assumptions constructively. Strong communication, collaboration and stakeholder management skills. Proactive, solutions-focused and committed to continuous improvement. Able to operate effectively in a dynamic, technically complex infrastructure environment.

Why Join VSL? This is an opportunity to take on a central finance role within VSL UK, supporting a diverse portfolio of major infrastructure and specialist engineering projects. Based in our London office, you will work closely with operational and commercial leadership, gaining broad exposure to the UK business while helping strengthen financial controls, reporting and project performance. As part of the wider Bouygues Construction Group, VSL offers the opportunity to contribute to technically challenging projects within an international engineering and construction environment.

Interested? Apply now and let's build the great structures of tomorrow together!