At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cost control activities for complex defence programmes and ensure financial robustness.
- Company: Join Babcock, a global leader in engineering and technology.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, health support, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while growing your expertise.
- Qualifications: Experience in cost management tools and project lifecycle techniques.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 € per year.
Location: Stoke Gifford, Bristol + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: Competitive Salary + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Drive critical programmes that protect and power the future. At Babcock, we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together. If you join us, you can play your part as a Senior Cost Specialist at Bristol Technology Centre, near Bristol, Gloucestershire.
The role:
As a Senior Cost Specialist, you’ll play a vital role in supporting the delivery of complex defence programmes that underpin national security. Working within our Mission Systems business, you’ll lead cost control activities across the full project lifecycle helping ensure programmes remain financially robust and deliver real-world impact.
Day-to-day, you’ll be required to:
- Leading the development and implementation of best practice cost control processes across the programme
- Delivering cost forecasts, variance analysis, and performance reporting to support informed decision-making
- Collaborating with stakeholders to develop cost estimates and manage financial risks and changes
- Supporting Earned Value Management (EVM) activities and ensuring accurate cost performance tracking
- Coaching and mentoring project teams on cost control methodologies and tools
This role is full time, 35 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements with days onsite and days working from home.
Essential experience:
- Demonstrable experience using cost management tools such as Deltek Cobra
- Strong background applying project management and cost control techniques across full lifecycle projects
- Experience delivering cost forecasting, cost risk analysis, and earned value management
- Strong commercial awareness with understanding of contract and financial management principles
- Proven ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders and drive high performance
Qualifications:
- A recognised professional qualification such as APM Project Management Qualification or equivalent
- Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. Association for Project Management or ACostE) is desirable
Security Clearance:
The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role. Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions.
What we offer:
- Generous holiday allowance
- Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
- Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
- Employee share scheme and shopping savings portal
- Payment of Professional Fees
- Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
- Holiday Trading allows you to buy additional leave or sell up to one working week
- Be Kind Day to support volunteering
- Flexible working options to support work-life balance
- A dynamic working environment with real career progression opportunities
Babcock is a global FTSE 100 organisation with over 26,000 people working together to make a difference. Here, you’ll be part of something bigger. From initial design to final decommissioning, your work will contribute to products and services that are essential to national security and public infrastructure.
We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email careers@babcockinternational.com with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive.
We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.
Closing date: 20/05/2026
Senior Cost Specialist in Bristol employer: Nuclearinst
Babcock is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Stoke Gifford, Bristol, where you can contribute to vital defence programmes that ensure national security. With competitive salaries, generous benefits, and a strong focus on employee growth through mentoring and professional development, Babcock fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation. The hybrid working arrangements and commitment to work-life balance further enhance the appeal of joining a global FTSE 100 organisation dedicated to making a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Cost Specialist in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry professionals on LinkedIn or attend local events. We can’t stress enough how personal connections can open doors that applications alone can’t.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Knowing Babcock’s mission and recent developments will help us stand out as candidates who are genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the Senior Cost Specialist role. We want to showcase our skills in cost control and project management confidently.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals to join our team at Babcock.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Cost Specialist in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Cost Specialist role. Highlight your experience with cost management tools and project controls, as these are key for us. Use specific examples that showcase your skills in delivering cost forecasts and managing financial risks.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your background aligns with our mission at Babcock. Don’t forget to mention your experience in collaborating with stakeholders and influencing senior management.
Showcase Relevant Qualifications:If you have any professional qualifications like APM Project Management or membership in relevant bodies, make sure to highlight them. This shows us that you’re serious about your career in project management and cost control.
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 ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nuclearinst
✨Know Your Cost Management Tools
Make sure you’re well-versed in cost management tools like Deltek Cobra. Brush up on how to use these tools effectively, as they’ll likely come up during your interview. Being able to discuss your experience with them will show that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Your Project Lifecycle Knowledge
Prepare to talk about your experience across the full project lifecycle. Think of specific examples where you applied cost control techniques and how they contributed to project success. This will highlight your expertise and understanding of the role’s requirements.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since influencing and engaging senior stakeholders is key, be ready to share examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated with others in past roles. Discuss any challenges you faced and how you overcame them to drive high performance.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Awareness
Familiarise yourself with contract and financial management principles relevant to the defence sector. Be prepared to discuss how your commercial awareness has helped you manage financial risks and changes in previous projects. This will demonstrate your readiness for the responsibilities of the Senior Cost Specialist role.
