Project Cost Controller Manager - Defence in Whitehall

At Turner & Townsend, we are committed to helping you thrive — both professionally and personally. Our culture is founded on trust, flexibility and the belief that people perform at their best when they feel supported and empowered. We are united by a core principle: making the difference matters.

Joining us means becoming part of a purpose‑driven organisation where diverse expertise comes together to serve, support and protect those who serve and protect us. From your first day, you will be exposed to unique and complex environments. You will contribute to programmes across air, land, sea, cyber and space, gaining experience that strengthens your capability and advances your career. You will work alongside leading professionals in the defence, aerospace and security sectors, all aligned to a shared vision of being the premier international partner in our field.

As part of our growing team, you will play a vital role in supporting clients to deliver major programmes that enhance national capability and transform the defence landscape. You will be based from your local office, working in a hybrid model and collaborating with colleagues and client teams across the UK. This is an opportunity to contribute to work of national importance — and to grow within a business that values expertise, collaboration and long‑term relationships.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Cost Controller (Project Controls Engineer Grade) to join our growing Defence South East team. You’ll play a key role in delivering cost control and performance management services across a portfolio of high-profile projects and programmes. This is a dynamic and rewarding role that offers you the opportunity to work at the forefront of UK Defence.

As part of our award-winning Cost Control and Project Controls community, you’ll collaborate with experienced professionals, contribute to innovative solutions, and benefit from a strong network of knowledge-sharing and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to advance your career in the Defence sector with Turner & Townsend - where your expertise will help shape the future of UK Defence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with project delivery teams as part of a wider cost control function, or independently with support from experienced cost professionals.
• Implement, administer, and maintain cost control systems and procedures to monitor project budgets, commitments, expenditures, and forecasts.
• Support the development and maintenance of a robust, integrated Performance Measurement Baseline (PMB) in collaboration with the Integrated Project Team, ensuring alignment with the change control process.
• Assist in the creation of Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS) and align time-phased budgets with the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to enable accurate cost tracking and control.
• Prepare accruals to ensure timely and accurate reflection of the Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP) in project cost data.
• Develop and maintain cost tracking tools as needed, and generate regular cost reports, including Earned Value Analysis (EVA) to assess project performance.
• Provide cost input to support the development of Change Requests, participate in change control boards, and integrate approved changes into the project baseline.
• Update project forecasts to maintain an accurate and comprehensive Estimate to Complete (ETC).
• Deliver timely and accurate cost information to support project status reporting, performance management, and informed decision-making by project leadership.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in cost control and project controls within complex, large-scale infrastructure or Defence sector programmes.
• Strong understanding of cost management principles, including budgeting, forecasting, accruals, earned value management (EVM), and cost performance analysis.
• Proven ability to build and maintain trusted advisor relationships with clients, contributing to long-term partnerships and repeat business.
• Experience coordinating contractors, consultants, and advisors across multiple, concurrent projects, ensuring alignment and delivery against programme objectives.
• Practical experience using Microsoft Excel and other MS Office applications for cost tracking, analysis, and reporting.
• Proficiency in Cost Management tools and software, such as ECOSYS, PRISM, COBRA or similar platforms.
• Aware of how cost control integrates with other project controls disciplines, including scheduling, risk management, reporting, and change control—with the ability to collaborate effectively across these functions.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience working with UK Government departments and agencies, particularly on complex infrastructure or capital investment programmes.
• Proven ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary project teams, fostering collaboration and delivering successful outcomes through strategic direction and influence.
• Broader project management expertise, including change management, stakeholder engagement, and governance across the project lifecycle.

Qualifications:

• Must hold, or be eligible to obtain, UK Ministry of Defence Security Clearance (SC or higher); UK passport required.
• Degree qualified in a relevant technical, engineering, or management discipline, or possess equivalent professional qualifications and demonstrable experience in Cost Control.
• Membership of a recognised professional body such as the Association for Project Management (APM) or Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
• A UK driving license or the ability to travel to client sites across the region as required is essential.

Additional Information:

• Due to the sensitive nature of the work involved in our specialist defence projects, candidates will be required to hold, or be eligible to obtain, Security Clearance (SC).
• To meet the criteria for this level of clearance, applicants must be a sole British National and hold a valid UK passport.

Hybrid Working:

We embrace a hybrid approach to work. This means you may collaborate with colleagues from home, a Turner & Townsend office, or client sites across the region (on a weekly basis). We use technology to stay connected, collaborate effectively, and deliver excellence — wherever we are. Our hybrid working approach gives you the flexibility to balance your professional and personal life, supporting wellbeing and long‑term sustainability. At the same time, there will be moments when in‑person collaboration is essential, and you will need to travel when required typically 2-3 days per week.

Your Growth & Wellbeing:

At Turner & Townsend, you’ll build a career with purpose and possibility where you can expect competitive packages with a range of benefits that are reviewed every year, meaningful, high impact work, lifelong learning and development, a supportive, people-focused culture, and recognition for your contribution. We believe in balance, sustainability and creating a workplace where you can truly belong. Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our success. We’re proud of a culture where people with different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds come together to achieve excellence. We believe that when everyone feels they belong, everyone thrives.