Cost Controller

Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia Warabrook, New South Wales, Australia; Newcastle; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career advancement

Work life balance

Wellness programs

Accessible leadership

Job summary

Ausenco, based in Newcastle, is seeking a Cost Controller with EcoSys experience to support cost control, budgeting and reporting for mining and minerals processing projects. The role collaborates with project teams to maintain cost accuracy, forecasts and variance analysis.

You will contribute to cost management across studies and projects, handling invoices, baselines, cash flows and performance metrics while driving continuous improvement in cost control processes.

Qualifications

• Experience with EcoSys or similar cost-management systems.
• Strong Excel skills, including VBA/macros.
• Analytical and numerical capability to interpret financial data.
• Experience supporting budgeting, forecasting and reporting in projects.
• Understanding of cost controls principles and variance analysis.
• Experience in engineering consulting, mining, or capital projects is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Set up and maintain budgets, cost tracking and reporting across studies and projects.
• Develop cost breakdown structures aligned with project schedules and baselines.
• Process invoices, timesheets, requisitions and cost coding.
• Prepare project cost reports, cash flow forecasts and KPIs.
• Monitor expenditure against budgets and forecast cost impacts.
• Support contracts, purchase orders, change orders and cost rates.
• Collaborate with Project Managers, Project Controls and Finance for timely cost data.
• Provide cost information to senior team members and escalate issues.

Skills

EcoSys

Excel

Analytical skills

Power BI

VBA / Macros

Education

Engineering degree

Accounting / Finance / Business Administration degree

Tools

Oracle E-Business

Job description

Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia Warabrook, New South Wales, Australia – Newcastle NSW

Ausenco is a fast-growing company with big ideas. We redefine what’s possible in some of the world’s most complex projects and toughest environments. Delivering innovative, value-add consulting, project delivery, asset operations and maintenance solutions is what we do. From 21 offices in 9 countries, with projects in over 80 locations worldwide, we create sustainable outcomes for our people, clients and communities.

Our team is growing due to continued success of project wins; we are currently looking for a Cost Controller with demonstrated EcoSys experience to join our team in Newcastle.

About the role

As part of the Project Services team, you will support the delivery of high-quality cost control, cost performance management and reporting across studies and projects within the mining, precious metals and minerals processing industries.

• Assist with the setup and maintenance of consultancy and capital expenditure budgets, including cost tracking, monitoring and reporting across studies and projects in EcoSys.
• Support the development and maintenance of cost breakdown structures aligned with project schedules, including budget baselines, tracking actual costs, earned value, change management and cost trends.
• Undertake day-to-day cost control activities, including reviewing vendor invoices and contractor timesheets, raising requisitions, receipting invoices, supporting client invoicing, tracking payments, reviewing progress claims and variations, and maintaining accurate cost coding.
• Prepare and maintain project cost reports, cash flow forecasts, commitment and revenue curves, KPIs, variance reports, progress curves and other project performance measurements.
• Monitor project expenditure against approved budgets, identify cost variances and trends, and assist with forecasting and reporting potential cost impacts.
• Support the administration of client and vendor commercial arrangements, including contracts, purchase orders, change orders, hourly cost and sell rates, and task codes.
• Work closely with Project Managers, Project Controls and Finance teams to ensure accurate and timely cost information is available to support project delivery and decision-making.
• Provide cost and financial information to Project Managers and senior team members, escalating potential issues and contributing to effective project cost management.

About you

• Previous experience in project cost control, ideally within engineering consulting, mining, mineral processing or capital project environments.
• A tertiary qualification in Engineering, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related field (highly regarded).
• Experience using EcoSys or similar project cost management systems (required).
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (required), with exposure to VBA and Macros advantageous.
• Experience using Oracle E-Business advantageous.
• Power BI experience advantageous.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to interpret financial information, analyse data and identify cost variances.
• Experience supporting project budgeting, cost tracking, forecasting and reporting activities across studies or capital projects.
• A sound understanding of project controls principles, processes and techniques, including budget management, cost forecasting, cash flow reporting and variance analysis.
• Strong attention to detail, organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and reporting deadlines.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with project teams and key stakeholders.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving, with a willingness to develop technical knowledge and contribute to continuous improvement of cost control processes.

Why Ausenco?

We support individual growth and aim to allow you to work in a way that plays to your strengths. In addition to a competitive remuneration package, we offer:

• Career advancement -Be supported in your ongoing development with technical training, mentoring programs and frequent networking opportunities.
• Work Life Balance –Be empowered to enjoy your life outside of the office with flexible working hours, work from home arrangements and modern leave policies including paid parental leave and floating public holiday programs.
• Holistic approach to wellness –Take a proactive approach to your overall wellbeing. Access confidential services as a courtesy of Ausenco including online health and fitness programs, financial coaching, and confidential counselling services.
• Accessible leadership team –Work with highly reputable market leaders who value your contribution.

Our people don’t settle for the status quo. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and want to help set a new standard in sustainability, we’ll help you find your place. This means working with you to develop a unique career path and skillset to match your ambition.

We’re proud of the work we do, and we do it within a culture that is open, honest, and cooperative. We have a history of attracting visionary people who embrace challenges and deliver creative solutions for every project, and your voice is an important part of the conversation.

As a global company we embrace and encourage diversity in its fullest sense – gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, experience, nationality, colour, language, religion, location, disability, education, skills, working styles and time availability. Our work environments are based on mutual trust and respect for the rights and opportunities of every individual.