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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage project costs and performance for one of the UK's largest infrastructure programmes.
- Company: Join High Speed Two Ltd, a leader in innovative infrastructure projects.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 12% pension, healthcare, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with exposure to major contracts and senior stakeholders.
- Why this job: Be part of a significant project with real impact and career progression opportunities.
- Qualifications: Experience in cost management and strong analytical skills required.
This is a rare opportunity to join High Speed Two Ltd in a highly visible client-side Cost Management role supporting the delivery of one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure programmes.
Working within the Project Controls & Cost Performance team, you’ll play a key role in managing project baselines, forecasting programme performance, analysing contractor cost data, and supporting major contracts through delivery. This is not a commercial or payment certification role. The focus is on project controls, cost performance, forecasting, baseline management, schedule integration, and providing accurate programme insight to senior stakeholders.
Why This Role Stands Out
- Client-side role on a nationally significant infrastructure programme
- Strong focus on project controls, forecasting & cost performance
- Opportunity to influence major contracts valued £5m–£10bn+
- High stakeholder exposure across delivery, commercial & programme teams
- Long-term programme security with 10+ years remaining
- Clear progression route into Senior Cost Manager
- Hybrid working and excellent work-life balance
The Role
Reporting into the Senior Cost Manager, you’ll support the management and analysis of cost performance across major delivery contracts. You’ll work closely with Project Controls Managers, delivery teams, and contractors to ensure forecasts, baselines, schedules, and performance data accurately reflect programme delivery. A key part of the role is challenging contractor forecasts, analysing trends and variances, supporting change control, and ensuring robust cost reporting across the programme.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and maintain project baselines and cost performance data
- Analyse forecasts, trends, variances, and Estimate at Completion (EAC) positions
- Support Earned Value Management (EVM) reporting and performance analysis
- Work closely with schedules and programme controls teams
- Challenge contractor cost forecasts and performance data
- Support change control and trend management processes
- Produce high-quality cost and performance reports for senior stakeholders
- Ensure governance, reporting accuracy, and data integrity across programmes
- Support continuous improvement across cost performance processes
What They’re Looking For
Essential
- Experience in Cost Management, Cost Engineering, Cost Control, or Project Controls
- Strong experience managing project baselines and working with schedules
- Experience on infrastructure or construction projects (£5m–£10m+ above)
- Strong forecasting, cost analysis, and reporting capability
- Advanced Excel skills
- Experience using systems such as PRISM, EcoSys, Contruent or similar
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
Desirable
- Rail or major infrastructure background
- Earned Value Management (EVM) experience
- Experience within complex, matrix-led project environments
This role would suit someone from rail, highways, utilities, aviation, water, nuclear, defence, or major infrastructure programmes looking to step into a long-term client-side opportunity with real progression and exposure across one of the UK’s largest delivery programmes.
Cost Manager - Project Controls & Cost Performance in Birmingham employer: Charlton Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Charlton Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cost Manager - Project Controls & Cost Performance in Birmingham
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current employees at HS2. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to meet potential employers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your experience with project controls and cost performance. Use specific examples from your past work to demonstrate how you’ve managed baselines and forecasts effectively.
✨Prepare for the Interview
Do your homework on HS2 and the role of Cost Manager. Understand their projects and challenges, and think about how your skills can help them succeed. Prepare questions that show your interest and knowledge about their operations.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at HS2.
We think you need these skills to ace Cost Manager - Project Controls & Cost Performance in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Cost Manager. Highlight your experience in cost management, project controls, and any relevant infrastructure projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to HS2's success. Be sure to mention your experience with forecasting and stakeholder engagement, as these are key for us.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your advanced Excel skills and any experience with systems like PRISM or EcoSys. These are essential for the role, and we want to know how you've used them in past projects to drive cost performance.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Charlton Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Cost Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in cost performance and forecasting. Brush up on key metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed project baselines and analysed cost data in previous roles. Use specific examples to showcase your skills.
✨Familiarise Yourself with EVM
Since Earned Value Management (EVM) is crucial for this role, make sure you understand its principles and can explain how you've applied it in past projects. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve used EVM to challenge forecasts and improve cost reporting.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Strong stakeholder engagement is essential. Think about how you've effectively communicated with various teams in the past. Prepare to share examples of how you’ve built relationships and ensured alignment across project controls and delivery teams.
✨Excel Skills are Key
Advanced Excel skills are a must for this position. Before the interview, practice using Excel to analyse data and create reports. Be ready to discuss any specific tools or systems you've used, like PRISM or EcoSys, and how they helped you manage costs effectively.