Cost Planning Lead

AusNet Services; Ballarat; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

AusNet Services Ltd in Australia is seeking a Senior Cost Planning Lead to establish and drive cost planning across large-scale infrastructure projects. The role requires guiding design development, quantities, and construction cost estimates, and coordinating with EPC contractors and project teams.

You will develop baseline quantities, monitor budgets, and provide cost planning insights to support decisions and governance. Western Victoria/Ballarat office presence is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of Cost Planning roles within large scale projects.
• Cost engineering, estimating, forecasting and cost control on major infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of cost management methodologies, earned value principles and financial governance.
• Strong commercial and contract management capability.
• High level knowledge of engineering, procurement, contracts, construction, and startup processes.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead cost planning processes that align scope, design, quantities and estimates.
• Review and validate EPC cost plan against design, quantities, rates and assumptions.
• Support Change Management by documenting design scope changes and cost-plan assumptions.
• Evaluate design/delivery changes; compare options and provide recommendations.
• Maintain benchmarking files; include EAC and AOC details for future plans.
• Reconcile design development with baseline quantities and budget with EPC contractor.
• Provide cost planning reports explaining quantity movements and estimating confidence.
• Lead design-stage cost estimates, quantity-based assessments and change proposals.
• Manage cost planning aspects of AGJV ITC contract and PSDR requirements.
• Develop baseline quantities for all project work packages.
• Develop and validate quantity take-offs from design information.
• Provide early warning on cost risks, opportunities and pressures.
• Coordinate and present cost-plan updates at milestones.
• Review contract drafts for scope, quantity definitions and cost planning requirements.
• Prepare and present insights to AusNet and client as required.
• Develop and apply standards for cost planning and quantity measurement.
• Undertake ad-hoc tasks and analysis as required.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management or related field

Cost planning experience

Cost engineering & forecasting

Cost control on major infrastructure

Contract management capability

Engineering/procurement knowledge

Organisational skills under pressure

Tools

Earned value management

Budget governance

Job description

We bring the energy!

Through purpose and people - not just through the infrastructure we operate, but through the way we show up for each other, our customers’ and our communities. The future of energy is in our hands. Let’s shape it together.

Go beyond keeping the lights on. Solve energy challenges that matter most.

We’re looking for a Cost Planning Lead to join our team. This role reports to the Project Controls Manager and is responsible for establishing and leading cost planning processes and frameworks across the WRL project. The role provides timely and accurate financial insight to support effective decision‑making, budget governance and project performance.

The Senior Cost planner will be working closely with design and project control teams, and the EPC contractor to control and monitor the budget for construction of the project. The role will be hands on in cost planning.

What you’ll be doing:

• Establish and lead cost planning processes that align project scope, design development, quantities and construction cost estimates.
• Review and validate the EPC cost plan against design information, quantity take-offs, rates and estimating assumptions to assess alignment with the construction budget.
• Support the project Change Management process by documenting changes to design scope, baseline quantities and cost-plan assumptions.
• Evaluate the quantity and cost impacts of design and delivery changes, compare options and provide recommendations to support decision-making.
• Maintain cost and quantity benchmarking files, progressively incorporating estimate at completion (EAC) and actual outturn cost (AOC) details to inform future cost plans.
• Work closely with design teams and the EPC contractor to reconcile design development with baseline quantities and the approved construction budget.
• Provide cost planning reports and analysis that explain quantity movements, design maturity, estimating assumptions and implications for project decisions.
• Lead the preparation of design-stage cost estimates, quantity-based assessments, cost trends and change proposals.
• Manage the cost planning aspects of the AGJV ITC contract, ensuring alignment with applicable processes, management plans and PSDR requirements.
• Lead the development of baseline quantities for all project work packages.
• Develop and validate quantity take-offs from design information, maintain traceable quantity baselines and reconcile changes as the design develops.
• Provide early warning insights on cost risks, opportunities and emerging pressures through design development.
• Coordinate and present cost-plan updates at design milestones, clearly explaining changes in quantities, rates, scope and estimating confidence.
• Review contract drafts for clear scope, quantity definitions, cost assumptions and cost planning requirements.
• Prepare and present cost planning, quantity and design-development insights to AusNet and the client, as required.
• Develop and apply standards for cost planning, quantity measurement and design-stage cost analysis.
• Undertakes ad-hoc tasks and analysis as assigned by the Project Controls Manager.

You don’t need to check every box; however we’re looking for a good combination of:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of Cost Planning roles within large scale projects.
• Cost engineering, estimating, forecasting and cost control on major infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of cost management methodologies, earned value principles and financial governance
• Strong commercial and contract management capability.
• High level of knowledge of engineering, procurement, contracts, construction, and startup work processes.
• A high level of organisational skills and demonstrated effectiveness handling multiple tasks, setting priorities, managing timeframes and meeting deadlines under pressure.
• Possess strong resilience and be adaptable in a rapidly changing environment.
• A learning mindset and the aptitude to quickly pick up new or complex concepts.
• Ability to work positively and proactively within a team environment.
• Demonstrate wiliness to adapt to work volumes and track against project requirements.
• Occasional (Western Victoria & Ballarat Office)

The AusNet experience is all about...

• When life happens, knowing we’ve got your back: Whether it's life's big moments or the unexpected little ones, we get it - sometimes you just need to be there.
• Building an energy future to be proud of: We’re a trusted leader, with deep expertise, driven to do what’s right for our communities and customers.
• Being part of a team that cares deeply about each other: We share in the good times and support in the tough times.

We’re committed to building an inclusive culture and a diverse workforce. We believe different perspectives are essential to our success, and we encourage all applicants to apply. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we're happy to discuss how we can support you.