Project Cost Controller in Vale of Leven

The Project Cost Controls professional is responsible for planning, monitoring, analysing, and reporting project costs to ensure projects are delivered within approved budgets. The role requires hands-on experience in Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and/or SAP to manage cost tracking, forecasting, and financial reporting across the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Develop and maintain project budgets aligned with approved scope and WBS
• Establish cost control structures using WBS and cost codes
• Support project baseline creation and budget revisions
• Track actual costs against budget and forecast using SAP or WBS-based systems
• Identify cost variances, trends, and potential overruns
• Prepare cost forecasts, cash flow projections, and estimate-at-completion (EAC)
• Prepare weekly and monthly cost reports for project stakeholders
• Analyse cost performance and provide corrective action recommendations
• Support earned value management (EVM) where applicable
• Maintain accurate cost data within SAP (CO, PS, or related modules) or WBS tools
• Ensure correct cost allocation, commitments, accruals, and change impact

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience in Project Cost Controls or Project Controls
• Proven experience with WBS-based cost control and/or SAP (Project Systems / Controlling)
• Experience in budget tracking, forecasting, and cost variance analysis
• Strong knowledge of:
• Work Breakdown Structures (WBS)
• Cost codes and budget controls
• Forecasting and cash flow analysis
• Hands-on experience with:
• SAP and/or cost control systems
• MS Excel (advanced level); Power BI or similar tools are an advantage

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Finance, Accounting, Quantity Surveying, or a related field
• Typically requires an undergraduate degree and broad experience or equivalent.

Standard Office Environment

May be required to travel and/or have overnight trips. Hours worked may exceed regular schedule.

Physical Effort

Little chance of injury. Duties may involve sitting, standing, keyboarding with frequent flexible breaks.

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post. Job descriptions should be regularly reviewed to ensure they are an accurate representation of the post.

Generic Level Descriptions

Fully qualified to execute on job accountabilities working independently on most aspects of work. Begins to manage medium to moderately complex projects; coaches and mentors others on project management issues that are supported by supervisor. Focus is on task management vs. resource and staff management. Manages own time to meet agreed targets; develops plans for specifics work activities in own area over the short/medium term.

Complexity, Expertise & Problem Solving

Works on problems of diverse scope. Solves complex problems, takes on new perspective on existing solutions. As a seasoned, experienced professional has developed a full understanding and expertise in area of specialization. Resolves a wide range of issues in creative ways. Identifies key issues and patterns in moderately complex situations; takes a broad perspective to problems and spots new, less obvious solutions.

Decision Making & Autonomy

Has decision-making authority and autonomy needed to deliver on accountabilities within job; seeks approval from others on matters outside of job scope; makes decisions regarding work and development of project team members when required. Exercises judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. Adapts information/style to the audience, explains difficult issues clearly, establishes consensus, attains agreement. Builds internal and external relationships, with emphasis on those that facilitate the achievement of job accountabilities, such as relationships with key suppliers, customers and internal service providers. Ensures commitments to internal and external client are met in a timely and cost-effective manner. Interprets client needs, and internal/external business issues, assessing the full requirements; identifies solutions to non-standard tasks/queries in own discipline. May take action to monitor and control costs within own work area. Normally receives little instruction on day-to-day work and on new assignments. Seeks and provides candid and timely feedback to improve performance; shares information in an open manner; fosters teamwork and innovation by involving others in problem solving, decision making and creative thinking.