At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead project planning, scheduling, cost control, and performance reporting for major capital projects.
- Company: Join a leading firm in project controls with a focus on innovation and excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with opportunities for continuous improvement and learning.
- Why this job: Shape project strategies and make a real impact on large-scale projects.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in project controls; degree in relevant field preferred.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Project Controls Manager to lead all aspects of project planning, scheduling, cost control, progress measurement, forecasting, and performance reporting across major capital projects. This is a critical leadership role responsible for providing project controls expertise throughout the project lifecycle—from bid development and project award through execution, commissioning, and closeout. The successful candidate will drive project performance through robust controls processes, enabling informed decision‑making and ensuring successful delivery against cost, schedule, and commercial objectives.
Working closely with Project Managers, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Client teams, you will play a key role in shaping project strategies, identifying risks and opportunities, and delivering accurate performance insights to senior stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities- Project Planning & Controls Leadership
- Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of integrated project controls systems across a portfolio of projects.
- Establish and manage project baselines, including schedules, cost plans, resource forecasts, and performance measurement systems.
- Ensure project controls processes, procedures, and reporting standards are consistently applied across all project phases.
- Provide strategic project controls leadership and guidance to project teams and senior management.
- Planning & Scheduling
- Develop and maintain detailed project schedules from bid stage through execution and completion.
- Manage baseline development, schedule updates, critical path analysis, and schedule recovery planning.
- Perform trend analysis and forecasting to identify potential schedule risks and opportunities.
- Support project execution teams in developing realistic and achievable project delivery strategies.
- Cost Management & Performance Reporting
- Deliver accurate weekly and monthly project performance reports covering cost, schedule, progress, risks, earned value, and forecasting.
- Monitor project performance against approved baselines and communicate variances, trends, and corrective actions.
- Maintain cost and schedule forecasting processes to support effective project governance and decision‑making.
- Provide portfolio-level reporting and insights to business and client stakeholders as required.
- Earned Value & Progress Measurement
- Develop and implement robust progress measurement and Earned Value Management (EVM) systems across: Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, Construction, Commissioning.
- Ensure project progress is measured accurately, consistently, and transparently.
- Provide meaningful performance metrics and analysis to support proactive project management.
- Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Lead and mentor Project Controls professionals on major and mega‑projects.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and project controls excellence.
- Build strong relationships with internal teams, clients, contractors, and external stakeholders.
- Support capability development, knowledge sharing, and adoption of best practices across regional and global teams.
- Continuous Improvement
- Champion improvements in project controls methodologies, tools, systems, and reporting processes.
- Drive standardisation and implementation of lessons learned across projects and regions.
- Support the ongoing development of a world-class Project Controls function.
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in: Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, Project Management, Relevant technical discipline.
- Professional certification in Project Controls, Planning, Cost Management, or Project Management is advantageous.
- 10+ years' experience in Project Controls, Planning, Scheduling, or Project Management environments.
- Minimum 2 years' experience supporting Nuclear Decommissioning projects is highly desirable.
- Proven track record delivering project controls services within major EPC, industrial, infrastructure, energy, nuclear, or capital projects environments.
- Experience leading project controls activities across complex, multidisciplinary projects.
- Demonstrated success providing project performance reporting and recommendations to senior stakeholders and clients.
- Advanced knowledge of project controls principles, methodologies, and industry best practices.
- Strong understanding of planning, scheduling, cost control, forecasting, risk management, and Earned Value Management.
- Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to interpret complex project data.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Ability to influence decision‑making at project and leadership levels.
- Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail and a proactive approach to delivery.
Locations: London
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Controls Manager
✨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 WeAreTechWomen, 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 Manager at WeAreTechWomen.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Controls Manager
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 WeAreTechWomen
✨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!
