At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cost management for impactful wastewater projects and drive financial performance.
- Company: Join United Utilities, a Top 50 Inclusive Employer dedicated to sustainable infrastructure.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days holiday, up to 14% pension contribution, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture focused on growth and doing the right thing.
- Why this job: Shape decisions that impact millions while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strong cost control expertise and excellent communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
The Opportunity: We’re looking for a strategic and influential Senior Cost Manager to play a key leadership role within our PMO team in Capital Delivery. In this role, you’ll take ownership of cost management across a dynamic programme of wastewater projects, driving strong financial governance, enhancing cost performance, and ensuring best-in-class cost control throughout the project lifecycle. You won’t just be managing numbers; you’ll be shaping decisions. Acting as a trusted expert, you’ll bring the confidence to challenge, influence senior stakeholders, and elevate standards across the programme. You’ll also lead and develop a small team, fostering capability and ensuring consistent, high-quality cost intelligence across all projects. This is a high-impact, visible role where your expertise will directly support the delivery of essential services to millions of people across the North West.
Why this role stands out:
- Strategic influence – Shape programme decisions and drive financial performance
- Leadership opportunity – Develop and mentor emerging talent
- Meaningful impact – Contribute to vital infrastructure and regulatory commitments
- Supportive culture – Learn, grow and take action without unnecessary bureaucracy
You’ll be joining a diverse PMO team, from apprentices to seasoned experts, where collaboration, development and doing the right thing are at the heart of how we work. Our ambition? To act as the “intelligent Sat-Nav” guiding successful project delivery.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading programme cost management, including budgets, forecasts, and performance tracking
- Partnering with Planning, Risk, Controls, and Project Managers to ensure accurate, joined-up cost data
- Driving cost control processes including commitments, accruals, and financial reporting
- Providing clear insights, identifying risks, trends, and variances against baseline
- Managing and implementing changes to programme baseline effectively
- Leading and developing a small team of Cost Managers
- Embedding consistent standards, governance, and best practice across the programme
About you: You’re a confident, proactive cost professional who thrives in a fast-paced project environment and enjoys influencing outcomes. You’ll bring:
- Strong expertise in Cost Control, Project Controls, or Programme Delivery
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and challenge stakeholders
- Experience using Primavera P6
- A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with confidence to raise and resolve issues
- Experience developing or mentoring others within a project controls environment
- Degree-level education or equivalent experience
- Professional qualifications (APM, PMI or similar)
- Knowledge of NEC4 contracts
Why join United Utilities?
- 26 days holiday + 8 bank holidays
- Up to 14% employer pension contribution (21% combined)
- 10.5% bonus scheme + recognition awards
- Comprehensive healthcare plan
- Flexible and hybrid working options
At United Utilities, our purpose is simple: To deliver high-quality water for a greener, healthier, and more prosperous North West. We’re proud to be recognised as a Top 50 Inclusive Employer (ranked #4 in the UK) and we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone can grow, succeed and truly belong. When you join us, you’re not just building a career, you’re helping shape sustainable infrastructure for generations to come.
Senior Cost Manager employer: United Utilities
United Utilities is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where commercial professionals can thrive while contributing to vital infrastructure projects that benefit communities across the North West. With competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and robust career development opportunities, we empower our employees to grow and make a meaningful impact in their roles. Join us to be part of a purpose-driven organisation that values innovation and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Cost Manager
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Senior Cost Manager at United Utilities!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like United Utilities or be willing to refer you for that Senior Cost Manager position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from United Utilities who’s on the lookout for their next Senior Cost Manager star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Senior Cost Manager role at United Utilities!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Cost Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at United Utilities. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Utilities
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at United Utilities. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
