Senior Program Cost Control Manager

Cross River Rail Delivery Authority; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Career development

Salary packaging

Employee assistance program

Job summary

The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority in Brisbane is looking for a Program Cost Control Manager to oversee cost management across major construction projects. You'll lead a team, manage budgets, and ensure project costs align with contractual obligations.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in cost control, strong leadership skills, and the ability to provide executive-ready reporting. This role offers flexible work options and a fixed-term contract until March 2029.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in cost management and cost control on large-scale construction programs.
• Strong leadership and team development experience within a cost function.
• Proven skills in cost forecasting, trend analysis and variance reporting.

Responsibilities

• Manage program-wide cost control including forecasting, reporting and risk analysis.
• Develop and maintain the master program control budget and ensure scope alignment.
• Identify and report on cost trends, risks, overruns and corrective actions.

Skills

Cost management

Cost control

Forecasting

Leadership

Financial analysis

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience

Job description

• City shaping multi-billion-dollar rail program
• Provide executive level insights and influence program wide decision making
• Corporate CBD office / Flexible work options

Cross River Rail Delivery Authority (CRRDA)…Your chance to work with the best!

The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority is building a new 10.2km rail line that includes 5.9km of twin tunnels running under the Brisbane River and CBD; with four new underground stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street.

Once complete, it will provide trains with a much-needed alternative rail path through the core of the current SEQ Rail network, unlocking a bottleneck and allowing more trains to run more often across the whole of South East Queensland.

The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority is also delivering multiple supporting projects and activities in conjunction with the Department of Transport and Main Roads. These include accessibility rebuilds for eight surface stations, construction of three new stations on the Gold Coast; upgrades for stabling yards; track works and surface rail enhancements; and the introduction of a new ETCS digital signalling system.

About the Role

Play a pivotal role in managing and controlling the program and project cost aspects of the Cross River Rail project. This position is integral to the success of the project, helping to ensure that project cost activities are effectively planned, estimated, monitored and controlled to ensure the project is completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with contractual obligations.

As a key member of the Program Controls team, you will be responsible for providing leadership in cost management across multiple major projects within the Cross River Rail program. This includes the development and implementation of cost management and control procedures, conducting cost risk assessments, and preparing detailed cost forecasting and reporting. The role requires close collaboration with project teams, project executives, contractors, and key stakeholders to ensure program costs are managed, effectively reported and key actions are identified and taken when required.

The Program Cost Control Manager will lead and manage a team of Cost Controllers providing guidance, mentorship, and support to ensure effective cost control practices. This leadership involves fostering a collaborative and high-performance team environment, where team members are empowered to contribute to the project's success. Working from our corporate offices in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD, this opportunity is offered as a fixed term contract until March 2029.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage program-wide cost control including forecasting, reporting and risk analysis
• Develop and maintain the master program control budget and ensure scope alignment
• Identify and report on cost trends, risks, overruns and corrective actions
• Oversee cash flow, variance analysis and final cost forecasting
• Review and improve cost control procedures and reporting standards
• Assess contractor performance and cost impacts vs plan
• Lead, coach and support a team of cost controllers
• Provide input and advice to Project Directors on forecasting and risk
• Deliver regular executive‑ready reports and briefings on cost status and financial risks
• Collaborate effectively with delivery teams, contractors and government partners

About You

• Extensive experience in cost management and cost control on large‑scale construction programs.
• Strong leadership and team development experience within a cost function.
• Proven skills in cost forecasting, trend analysis and variance reporting
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive briefings, reporting and presentations.
• Confident engaging with and influencing executives.
• Critical thinker with strong financial analysis and judgment.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience.

Why work with CRRDA?

On Cross River Rail you will not only work with the best but become your best. And as we enter a new phase of delivery, our project offers a rare career opportunity for top tier professionals to have played their part on something that is genuinely city shaping and transformative.

Our people are supported with flexible work options, career development through the Australian Institute of Management, salary packaging and access to world class employee assistance provider Telus Health.

At Cross River Rail we are an equal opportunity employer and strive to build balanced teams from all walks of life.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for all Cross River Rail Delivery Authority vacancies.