Cost Controller

Transport for NSW; Parramatta; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Transport for NSW is seeking a cost management professional to support the financial governance of major infrastructure projects in NSW. You will monitor budgets, forecast costs, and provide timely reporting to project teams and stakeholders.

The role emphasises rigorous cost analysis, proactive issue resolution, and strong collaboration across finance functions to ensure accurate cost tracking throughout the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Experience in cost management within complex projects.
• Understanding of cost forecasting, budgeting and financial reporting.
• Ability to analyse financial data and provide insightful advice.

Responsibilities

• Support effective financial management of complex infrastructure projects by monitoring budgets, maintaining cost controls, and providing analysis and reporting.
• Prepare and deliver cost performance reports for project stakeholders.
• Manage accruals, cost recoveries and budget reallocations as part of project controls.

Skills

Cost management

Project controls

Cost forecasting

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Attention to detail

Project governance

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting

Tools

Financial systems

Cost control software

Job description

You want to play a part in making NSW a better place to work, live and travel.

You’ll make a tangible impact on the people of NSW, using your finance and accounting skills to help build a sustainable and thriving transport network for generations to come.

In this role, you’ll:

Support the effective financial management of complex infrastructure projects by monitoring budgets, maintaining robust cost controls, and providing timely analysis and reporting. Working closely with project teams, finance professionals and stakeholders, you will help ensure project costs are accurately forecast, tracked and managed throughout the project lifecycle.

More specifically you will:

• Implement and maintain project cost control plans and work breakdown structures.
• Monitor project budgets, forecasts and estimates at completion (EAC) across the project lifecycle.
• Provide financial year and lifecycle forecasting aligned with project schedules and procurement plans.
• Support change control processes, resource forecasting and reconciliation of project costs.
• Ensure project cost data is accurately captured and maintained within relevant systems and tools.
• Monitor project commitments, actual costs, contingencies, risks and opportunities to support effective cost management.
• Prepare and deliver regular and ad hoc cost performance reports for project stakeholders.
• Manage monthly accruals, cost recoveries, budget reallocations and financial transfers.
• Support project closure activities by ensuring all cost transactions are completed and reconciled.
• Build and maintain effective relationships across project teams, finance functions and key stakeholders to support successful project outcomes.

For more information on this position and business unit, view the role description and information pack.

About you

You are an experienced cost management professional with strong financial acumen and a passion for delivering quality outcomes in complex project environments. You are able to analyse financial information, communicate insights clearly, and build productive relationships with a broad range of stakeholders. Your proactive approach, attention to detail and commitment to continuous improvement enable you to effectively support project performance and decision-making.

To succeed in this role, you will have:

• Demonstrated experience in cost management, project controls or a related discipline within a complex or high-risk environment.
• Strong understanding of cost forecasting, budgeting, financial reporting and cost risk management principles.
• Proven ability to analyse financial data and provide accurate, insightful advice to support decision-making.
• Well-developed communication skills, with the ability to explain financial concepts to diverse audiences.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build productive working relationships.
• Experience using financial, project management and cost control systems and tools.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced project environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering accurate, high-quality outcomes.
• Appropriate tertiary qualifications or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field.

Who we are

Transport for NSW provides a safe, integrated, and efficient transport system. We connect people, communities and industry every day.

Our workforce is as diverse as the community we serve. If you’d like further information on our inclusion and diversity initiatives, visit Transport careers.

Flexible work optionsmay be available. Learn more viaFlexible work options and policy

Aboriginal people and people living with disability are supported throughout the recruitment process and at work, and we encourage you to apply. Visit Supporting Aboriginal People or Supporting People with Disability for more information or speak to your talent team member to arrange any adjustments to how you interact with us.