Full-Time

Program Cost Management Lead

Posted on 8/7/2025

Ultra

Ultra

1,001-5,000 employees

Delivers defense technology for rapid decisions

No salary listed

Edinburgh, Australia

In Person

Canada Top Secret Clearance Required

Category
Finance & Banking (1)
Required Skills
Excel/Numbers/Sheets
Financial Modeling
PowerPoint/Keynote/Slides
Requirements
  • A sound understanding of program cost accounting / project accounting is essential
  • Ability to present complex financial information in a clear and precise manner
  • Problem-solving skills are crucial to analysing past and current performance and recommending actions to improve productivity and profitability
  • Strong analytical skills; understanding of Earned Value Management (EVM) preferred
  • Highly competent in use of Microsoft Office products (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
  • Demonstrable high degree of computer literacy including familiarity with accounting and/or ERP system(s) (ProPricer, OpenPlan, Cobra, IFS)
Responsibilities
  • Project Manager/BoE author guidance and support for RFT requirements
  • Own program Estimate at Complete (EAC) process, ensure compliant assimilation and presentation of program estimates that facilitates efficient communication, review, and approval
  • Identify and perform variance and 'what if' analyses on costs, scope and schedules, and report on related risks & opportunities. Supporting project management in resolution of outstanding issues
  • Manage / oversee program budgeting and forecasting process; interface with Financial Planning and Analysis
  • Estimating preparation and development
  • Provide financial data utilized in the review and approval of proposal pricing
  • Prepare proposals in accordance with company policies, proposal instructions, and Government regulations
  • Conduct cost analysis by reviewing labour & material bases of estimates, and direct/indirect rate verification
  • Support and participate in cross functional teams to support bid and proposal activities
  • Utilize pricing software and models to calculate costs and price
  • Participate in proposal development and compliance meetings, such as: pricing strategy discussions, price-to-win, risk reviews, peer reviews, and bid / no-bid decisions
  • Develop and maintain project budgets, forecasts, and financial models
  • Monitor project financial performance against established budgets and KPIs
  • Conduct variance analysis and provide actionable insights to project teams
  • Implement and maintain cost control measures to ensure projects stay within budget
  • Identify cost-saving opportunities and recommend appropriate actions
  • Collaborate with Resource Managers to allocate personnel and other resources effectively across projects
  • Monitor resource utilization and make recommendations for adjustments as needed
  • Identify financial risks and work with project teams to develop mitigation strategies
  • Monitor and report on risk status to senior management
  • Publish Contract Status Reviews (CSRs) for requisite programs and communicate financial performance
  • Provide recurring & ad hoc reports to Program Managers and other stakeholders, driving company best practices
  • Support month-end close processes as needed
  • Oversee and present formal Quarterly Finance Reviews (QFRs) with visibility to Executive Leadership
  • Maintain timely and accurate program financials including revenue recognition, invoicing, cost, funding, gross margins, cash flow and programmatic risks, etc.
  • Monitor cashflow reporting, ensuring timely invoicing of customers; drive resolution of overdue invoices
  • Prime contact for audit material and overall Program Cost Management
  • Manage the Program Management Office & team based in Adelaide
  • Development and maintenance of the Project Management Office Governance
  • Ongoing development, maintenance, and improvement of the PMO framework (processes, tools and aids) to support business efficiencies and growth
  • Key stakeholder engagement
  • Support and train Project Managers, Control Account Managers and BoE Authors on schedule structure, critical path analysis and EV
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience with GAAP, IFRS accounting standards (preferred)
  • Experience with local /international Government contract standards

Ultra Group provides advanced defense and security technology solutions, partnering with governments and defense agencies to address mission-critical challenges. Its products collect and deliver the right data to the right people at the right time, helping decision-makers act quickly in high-stakes situations. The company builds and deploys tailored systems that integrate data, analytics, and communications to support rapid, informed decisions, especially against near-peer threats and other technologically advanced adversaries. Unlike competitors, Ultra Group emphasizes ethical, responsible, and sustainable practices and relies on long-term government contracts to deliver customized, mission-focused solutions. Its ultimate goal is to make the world safer by using technology to improve decision speed and accuracy in defense and security operations.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

London, United Kingdom

Founded

2018

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Maritime reconnaissance market grows at 5.5% CAGR, expanding Ultra's sensor and radar opportunities.
  • UK government mandates Ultra's UK headquarters retention and increased R&D post-2022 acquisition.
  • Cobham acquisition in early 2022 enhances C4ISR/EW capabilities with added resources.

What critics are saying

  • UK MoD terminates contracts due to Ultra Electronics data breach exposing defense IP.
  • Airbus acquires Ultra Cyber Ltd., fragmenting cyber portfolio against L3Harris.
  • L3Harris captures 20% AUKUS maritime contracts, squeezing Ultra from sensor market.

What makes Ultra unique

  • Ultra I&C delivers AI-enabled resilient tactical communications and encryption for multidomain battlespace.
  • Ultra Maritime leads globally in torpedo technologies and modular USV towed array solutions.
  • Ultra powers real-time decision-making with secure data across air, land, sea, and cyber domains.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) Company Match

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Flexible Work Hours

Hybrid Work Options

Paid Vacation

Professional Development Budget

Mental Health Support

Company News

Turke & Strauss LLP
Mar 19th, 2024
Ultra Electronics Data Breach Investigation

Recently, Ultra Electronics discovered that it had experienced a data breach in which sensitive personal information in its systems may have been accessed and acquired.

Executive Mosaic
Oct 10th, 2023
Ultra I&C Appoints Dawn Ohlson as VP Engineering for Ultra Cyber

Ultra I&C appoints Dawn Ohlson as VP Engineering for Ultra Cyber.

Military Embedded Systems
Sep 14th, 2023
Secure encryption, reduced SWaP in demand from DSEi attendees

To enable such trusted mobility Ultra is also getting close to releasing a new product called MAXAM, that is a rebrand of their existing BID\2510\11.

GovCon Wire
Aug 7th, 2023
Bradford Powell appointed C2I president at Ultra intelligence & communications; Jon Rucker quoted

Bradford Powell, a defense industry veteran, has joined Ultra’s intelligence and communications business as president of the command, control and intelligence segment.

GovCon Wire
Jul 21st, 2023
Clif Basnight joins Ultra I&C as strategic technologies VP

Clif Basnight, a 17-year U.S. Army veteran and former vice president at CACI International (NYSE: CACI), has joined Ultra Intelligence & Communications as VP of strategic technologies.

INACTIVE