Lead Cost Controller

Artc; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Competitive remuneration

Health and wellbeing support

Novated leasing

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

ARTC is seeking a Lead Cost Controller to provide leadership across its Infrastructure Projects portfolio, driving cost management, forecasting, governance and reporting.

You will lead a small team of Cost Controllers, collaborating with Project Managers, Finance, and Delivery teams to support successful project outcomes and informed decision-making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Quantity Surveying or related discipline will be highly regarded.
• Experience in cost control, project controls or project services within major infrastructure, engineering or complex capital projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, and developing a team with focus on building capability and consistent practices.
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, cashflow, cost reporting, governance and financial analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Cost Controllers, building capability and promoting best practices.
• Establish and maintain cost management standards, governance, and reporting for portfolio oversight.
• Oversee budgets, forecasts, cashflows, contingencies and cost risks across projects.
• Review cost reports, forecasts, variances and trends to identify risks and opportunities.
• Provide expert cost management advice to Project Managers and senior stakeholders.
• Coordinate with Finance and Project Accounting to ensure accurate reporting and governance.
• Monitor contractor costs, claims, variations and financial exposures for forecast accuracy.
• Lead cost review meetings, forecasting forums and performance reviews for portfolio.
• Provide portfolio-level insights and reporting to senior leaders and governance forums.
• Identify emerging cost risks and drive actions to improve outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement across cost control frameworks and systems.
• Support project controls maturity, data quality and reporting consistency.
• Build relationships across Project Management, Commercial, Procurement, Finance and Delivery teams.

Skills

Cost control

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial governance

Financial analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Communication

Cost reporting

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Quantity Surveying or related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Project cost management systems

ERP systems

Job description

Lead Cost Controller

About ARTC

Join our team and be part of keeping the future of transport on track.

ARTC is a vital link in Australia’s transport supply chain – operating and maintaining the national rail network to connect our regions, cities and ports. We help enable the safe and efficient transit of freight and passenger trains across the country, managing more than 9,600km of rail track across five states and the lands of more than 50 First Nations.

About the Team

When you join the Infrastructure Projects team, you’ll be part of delivering Australia’s future rail network. From critical construction projects to our $ billion Network Investment Program with the Australian Government, the team delivers nationally significant projects that strengthen supply chains and support the safe, reliable movement of freight across the country.

About the Opportunity

Are you an experienced Cost Control professional looking to take the next step in your career? Join ARTC's Infrastructure Projects team and play a key role in driving financial performance, strengthening cost management practices and supporting the successful delivery of important rail infrastructure projects.

We are seeking a Lead Cost Controller to provide leadership and technical expertise across our Infrastructure Projects portfolio, overseeing cost management, forecasting, financial governance, and reporting.

In this role, you will lead and develop a small team of Cost Controllers, driving consistent standards, strengthening capability, and establishing best-practice cost management across Infrastructure Projects, while working closely with Project Managers, Project Directors, Finance teams and senior stakeholders to support successful project outcomes.

You will play an important role in identifying portfolio risks and opportunities, challenging assumptions, improving forecast accuracy, and providing trusted advice to support informed decision-making and projects performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop Cost Controllers, building capability, fostering continuous improvement, and driving consistent cost management practices across the portfolio.
• Establish and maintain cost management standards, governance frameworks, and reporting practices to support effective portfolio oversight and project delivery.
• Oversee project and portfolio budgets, forecasts, cashflows, contingencies and cost risks to support effective financial management and informed decision-making.
• Review and analyse cost reports, financial forecasts, variances and performance trends to identify risks, opportunities and areas for improvement.
• Provide expert cost management advice to Project Managers, Project Directors and senior stakeholders to support project performance and portfolio outcomes.
• Partner with Finance and Project Accounting teams to ensure accurate financial reporting, forecasting governance compliance, and alignment of project financial information.
• Monitor contractor costs, claims, variations, and financial exposures, ensuring effective cost forecasting risk management, and commercial awareness.
• Lead cost review meetings, forecasting forums, and performance reviews, providing assurance over project financial performance and reporting.
• Provide portfolio-level cost insights, assurance, and reporting to senior leaders and governance forums, supporting strategic decision-making and portfolio confidence.
• Identify and communicate emerging cost risks and opportunities, challenging assumptions and driving actions to improve forecast accuracy and financial outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement across cost control frameworks, systems, reporting processes, and governance practices to support a scalable and high- performing project controls environment.
• Support project controls maturity initiatives, improving data quality, reporting consistency, and cost management capability.
• Build strong relationships across Project management, Commercial, Procurement, Finance, and Delivery teams to promote collaboration and successful project outcomes.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• A bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline will be highly regarded.
• Experience in cost control, project controls or project services, ideally within major infrastructure, engineering or other complex capital project environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, and developing team, with a focus on building capability, establishing consistent practices and achieving strong outcomes.
• Strong technical knowledge of project budgeting, forecasting, cashflow management, cost reporting, financial governance, and financial analysis.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the confidence to challenge assumptions, identify financial risks and recommend practical solutions.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and influence decisions at all levels.
• Experience developing and improving cost control frameworks, governance processes, reporting standards and systems to enhance cost management capability and portfolio performance.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills and experience working with project cost management systems.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities across multiple projects and stakeholders in a dynamic project environment.

What will you get from us?

• Talk to us about flexible working options
• Competitive remuneration
• Resources to support your health and wellbeing and development
• Novated leasing options, as well as discounts and support programs
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program for all employees and their direct family members

Our Organisation and Culture

At ARTC, we’re proud to play a vital role in keeping Australia connected. Our culture is built on safety, collaboration and continuous improvement. We back our people to grow, build their capability and make a genuine impact on infrastructure that connects the nation for our customers and communities. If you’re looking for meaningful work, genuine purpose and national impact, you’ll find it at ARTC.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent.