Project Controls Cost Manager in Birmingham

Project Controls Cost Manager in Birmingham

Birmingham Full-Time No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage project costs and support capital investment plans for major infrastructure projects.
  • Company: Join AtkinsRéalis, a leading engineering services and nuclear organisation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salaries, flexible working, and tailored benefits for your lifestyle.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for professional growth and development.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on transformative projects while developing your skills.
  • Qualifications: Experience in cost management and project controls is essential.

Overview

Take our vision into the future. You might know us for the great work we do across our wide variety of projects. We're proud to say it's thanks to our people's diversity of thought, expertise and knowledge. And when you join us, you'll be a part of this genuinely collaborative environment, where everyone's voice is valued and treated equally. We’re passionate about what we do, but we don't take ourselves too seriously. Simply put, this is a great place to be. So, when it comes to your life outside of work, ask us about our flexible and remote working policies designed to help you get the most out of life.

We are seeking an experienced Project Controls Manager with strong project management, planning, scheduling, cost management, and risk management skills. The ideal candidate will have excellent leadership and communication abilities.

Your role

  • Support the Senior Manager in the development, control and management of capital investment plans for a major complex infrastructure programme.
  • Lead the day-to-day cost management of pre-development funding, ensuring robust cost planning, tracking, forecasting and reporting across the programme lifecycle.
  • Establish and maintain cost control processes, baselines, cost breakdown structures and reporting outputs to support effective governance and decision-making.
  • Monitor commitments, actuals, accruals, forecasts and anticipated final cost, providing clear insight into current and projected cost performance.
  • Work closely with programme, commercial, finance, planning, risk and change teams to ensure cost information is aligned, accurate and forms part of an integrated project controls approach.
  • Support stage-gate, investment and funding approvals by preparing reliable cost data, variance analysis, cashflow forecasts and evidence-based recommendations.
  • Identify cost trends, risks, change impacts and funding pressures early, supporting the development of mitigation actions and maintaining confidence in the programme’s cost position.

About you

  • Demonstrable experience in cost management, cost control or project controls on high-value, complex infrastructure programmes, ideally within regulated or operationally complex sectors such as aviation, industrial, pharmaceutical, defence, utilities or transport.
  • Strong understanding of capital investment planning, pre-development funding, cost forecasting, cost reporting, cashflow profiling, commitments, accruals and anticipated final cost.
  • Experience developing and maintaining cost baselines, cost breakdown structures, control accounts and cost reports that support programme governance and senior-level decision-making.
  • Ability to analyse cost performance, identify variances and trends, and translate complex cost data into clear, actionable insight for client and programme stakeholders.
  • Good working knowledge of integrated project controls, including the relationship between cost, schedule, risk, change, contingency and performance reporting.
  • Experience supporting investment approvals, business cases, stage-gate reviews or funding submissions within a structured governance environment.
  • Relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience, such as APM, ACostE, RICS, CEng, Project Controls, Quantity Surveying or Cost Management background.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Additional information

Security clearance
This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

Project Controls Cost Manager in Birmingham employer: SNC-Lavalin

Snc-Lavalin is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development, offering extensive training opportunities and a competitive salary. With a dynamic work culture in Birmingham, you will be part of a collaborative team that drives transformational change across major UK infrastructure programmes, ensuring your contributions are both meaningful and impactful.

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Contact Details:

SNC-Lavalin Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Project Controls Cost Manager in Birmingham

Join Construction Networks

Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!

Show Off Your Skills on Site

If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.

Utilise Construction Job Sites

Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like SNC-Lavalin, to express your interest!

Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles

Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Project Controls Cost Manager at SNC-Lavalin.

We think you need these skills to ace Project Controls Cost Manager in Birmingham

Project Management
Cost Management
Planning
Scheduling
Risk Management
Leadership
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.

Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.

Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.

How to prepare for a job interview at SNC-Lavalin

Brush Up on Technical Knowledge

For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.

Showcase Your Projects

Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.

Understand the Team Dynamics

Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.

Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving

Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!