Cost Engineering Lead - Energy Infrastructure

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and highly capable Cost Engineering Lead to lead the delivery of Cost Engineering services across major programmes and projects. This is a senior leadership role responsible for establishing best practice cost management processes, providing project controls assurance, and supporting clients with informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

Working within highly regulated sectors, including major nuclear, energy and infrastructure programmes, you will lead cost engineering teams, provide expert cost management advice, and ensure robust cost governance, forecasting and performance reporting. You will play a key role in delivering successful project outcomes while supporting the continued growth and development of our Cost Engineering capability.

The successful candidate will have extensive experience leading Cost Engineering functions across complex capital projects, with expertise in forecasting, cost governance, earned value management, risk integration and performance management. Experience supporting major infrastructure and nuclear programmes would be highly advantageous, with a strong understanding of governance, business cases, risk management, cost control and project assurance across the full project lifecycle.

Day-to-Day Duties

• Provide leadership and direction for Cost Engineering services across a portfolio of major capital projects and programmes.
• Establish and maintain cost management processes, governance frameworks, procedures and standards to ensure consistent and effective project delivery.
• Lead the implementation and assurance of cost management systems, tools and reporting structures.
• Oversee project budgets, cost forecasts, Estimates at Completion (EAC), Estimates to Complete (ETC), Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP) and variance analysis.
• Produce and present cost and performance reporting to project teams, senior stakeholders and client leadership.
• Integrate cost management activities with planning, risk, change, commercial and project management functions to provide a comprehensive view of project performance.
• Lead cost forecasting and financial performance management activities, ensuring timely identification of trends, risks and opportunities.
• Manage earned value management (EVM), trend analysis, benchmarking and performance measurement activities.
• Provide expert advice on cost management, business cases, investment decisions, affordability assessments and project controls governance.
• Implement and maintain effective change control, cost assurance and project governance processes.
• Collaborate closely with Project Managers, Programme Managers, Commercial Managers, Risk Managers and Planning teams to support successful project delivery.
• Lead cost risk identification, quantitative risk analysis and mitigation activities to improve forecasting confidence and delivery certainty.
• Manage, mentor and develop Cost Engineers and Cost Managers, supporting capability development and professional growth.
• Support recruitment, resource planning and succession planning activities to ensure appropriate project delivery capacity.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor on cost management and project performance matters.
• Support business development activities, including bid preparation, proposal development and client presentations.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation and digital transformation initiatives within Cost Engineering and Project Controls.
• Promote best practice cost management principles and contribute to the development of the wider Project Controls community.

Key Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead and develop high-performing Cost Engineering teams.
• Provide technical oversight and assurance across project and programme cost performance.
• Champion consistent application of cost control standards, methodologies and governance requirements.
• Support strategic growth of the Cost Engineering service offering through client engagement and business development.
• Act as a subject matter expert for cost engineering, forecasting, earned value and project controls best practice.

Qualifications

You have extensive Project Controls and Cost Engineering experience gained across major programmes and projects within sectors such as Nuclear, Energy, Defence, Infrastructure, Transportation or other highly regulated environments.

You have a proven track record of leading Cost Engineering teams, developing project controls capability and delivering robust cost management solutions across multiple stages of the project lifecycle.

• Significant experience leading Cost Engineering and Project Controls teams across major capital projects, programmes and portfolios.
• Expert knowledge of cost management principles, forecasting methodologies, project controls governance and industry best practice.
• Advanced proficiency in Project Controls and Cost Management tools, including EcoSys, PRISM, Cobra, Primavera P6, SAP, Power BI and Microsoft Excel.
• Strong experience in cost forecasting, budget management, cost reporting, cost assurance, change control, earned value management (EVM), performance measurement and quantitative risk analysis.
• Experience developing and implementing cost governance frameworks, project controls procedures and performance reporting processes within complex project environments.
• Proven ability to develop business cases, support investment decisions and provide strategic cost and performance insights to senior stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of the integration between Cost, Planning & Scheduling, Risk Management, Change Control and Performance Reporting disciplines within a Project Controls environment.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence and challenge at Executive, Director and Programme leadership level.
• Strong leadership capability with experience managing multidisciplinary teams, coaching professionals and developing Project Controls capability.
• Highly analytical, with the ability to interpret complex cost and performance data and translate findings into actionable business recommendations.
• Experience delivering Cost Engineering services within Energy (Nuclear, Renewables, Transmission & Distribution, Oil & Gas, Low Carbon) and/or Infrastructure (Water, Utilities, Rail, Highways, Aviation) sectors.
• Experience working on major programmes, complex project portfolios and regulated environments.
• Working knowledge and practical application of NEC3 and NEC4 contracts.
• Degree qualified in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Project Controls, Finance or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Membership of a relevant professional body such as APM, AACE International, RICS, PMI or equivalent.
• Eligible to obtain BPSS security clearance, and where required, higher levels of UK security clearance.

Additional Information

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.

We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance. 

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com/

SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable. 

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