Cost Control Manager

VIRTUS Data Centres; London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in data centre operations seeks a well-organised and detail-oriented Cost Control Manager. This pivotal role involves managing financial processes and supporting operational teams in budget analysis, making data-driven recommendations, and engaging with key stakeholders for improved cost management in a rapidly expanding organization.

Qualifications

• Part or fully qualified accountant with CIMA, ACCA or equivalent qualification.
• At least 3 years of practical experience in a similar role.
• Familiarity with SAP and asset management software.

Responsibilities

• Ownership of the monthly and annual financial review and budget processes for Technical Operations.
• Liaise with budget holders for effective cost management and reporting.
• Analysis of procurement practices and cost analysis.

Skills

Communication

Attention to Detail

Project Management

SAP

MS Office

Education

CIMA or ACCA qualification

Tools

SAP

Maximo

ServiceNow

Job description

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Our talented teams design, build and operate of the world's best Data Centres.

About VIRTUS

VIRTUS Data Centres is the UK’s fastest-growing data centre provider. We own, design, build, and operate some of the most energy-efficient, flexible, and secure data centres in Europe. In 2023, we announced our expansion into continental Europe, beginning with Germany and Italy, and continuing to grow across the EMEA region.
At VIRTUS, we aim to be a positive force in the fourth industrial revolution—delivering innovative solutions while staying rooted in our values: integrity, curiosity, commitment, and teamwork.

Job Summary

Technical Operations is the largest department within VIRTUS, and this role is pivotal in driving the quality of operational cost management and analysis within this critical business unit.

This will include the following key areas:

• Review and improve financial cost management processes & procedures across the estate of data centres and central operations.

• Provide subject matter expertise to support budget holders in analysing and improving their management and control of opex budgets and capex projects.

• Support the VP IT & Improvement in driving improvements in reporting and the effective use of finance and operations systems (SAP, Maximo, ServiceNow).

• Monitoring actual expenditure and preparing and presenting analysis to compare this against budgets, including the reporting and performance of outsourced contracts.

• Driving the monthly & quarterly financial review process, including demand management and decision support for planned/reactive/corrective maintenance.

• Ensuring the annual capital expenditure and operational expenditure budget process is executed in a timely and robust manner.

• Liaising with technical operations personnel and the finance team to ensure effective cross-functional communications and drive a policy of continuous improvement.

The role will report into our UK-based VP IT and Improvement who currently provides these functions within technical operations, working closely and partnering with colleagues in Finance across FP&A, Financial Controlling, Procurement and Cost Management.

If you are a well-organised, detail-oriented, analytical and collaborative Cost Control Manager with a strong background in cost management accounting, business partnering and use of SAP, we encourage you to apply and play a key part in the successful expansion of VIRTUS in the UK and into Europe.

Duties and Responsibilities

The role includes but is not limited to the following:

• Ownership of the monthly and annual financial review and budget processes for Technical Operations and leading discussion of these with the Technical Operations leadership team.

• Liaise with budget holders and the finance team to ensure effective cost management and reporting on a regular cadence.

• Oversight of purchase requisitions and purchase orders, including providing support and training on use of SAP for other members of the Technical Operations team.

• Monitor the completion of routine actions by site for reviewing open purchase orders and completing the goods received process in a timely basis.

• Management of asset lifecycle capex & new business case development and liaison with the Technical Operations and Cost Management teams, together with periodic internal and external audit requirements.

• Analysis of procurement practices and cost analysis focused on asset, component and consumable costs in the context of regular maintenance routines and incidents.

• Monitor capex budget expenditure and report in the context of the budget utilisation for the financial year.

• Support the project management office to drive financial management improvements for projects and programs, including development of processes and systems including SAP, Maximo and ServiceNow.

Person Specification

Qualifications:

Required:

• Part or fully qualified accountant with CIMA, ACCA or equivalent qualification in management accounting.

Experience:

• Part or fully qualified accountant with CIMA, ACCA or equivalent qualification in management accounting.

• Demonstrable knowledge of day-to-day operational finance requirements for an international business.

• At least 3 years of practical experience in a similar role.

• Familiarity with day-to-day usage and reporting with SAP – ideally in a recent deployment of SAP S/4 HANA.

• Understanding of uses and applications of asset management software (e.g. Maximo) and digital workflow /demand management software (e.g. ServiceNow)

• Previous experience within the data centre industry or other services industries within the telecommunications, technology or infrastructure sectors.

• Awareness of practical implications of SOX reporting on operational finance process and control environment.

Skills:

• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Be able to present information concisely and make suitable recommendations to line management and wider stakeholders, including the Technical Operations leadership team, the SVP Technical Operations and senior members of the UK Finance team.

• Self-motivated with great attention to detail and demonstrate strong ownership of tasks.

• Project management and prioritisation skills: well-organised and able to manage multiple workstreams and deadlines, multi-task and work independently.

• Strong practical knowledge of SAP.

• Proficiency in use of MS Office – at a minimum Excel, PowerPoint and Word.

In line with VIRTUS’ Vetting Policy, the successful applicant must be willing to undergo a BS7858 screening process.

VIRTUS is an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to fight for equality, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.

We reserve the right to close this post for applications should sufficient applications be received.

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VIRTUS Data Centres does not accept unsolicited support from search firms for employment openings. CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any VIRTUS employee without an active, written search agreement for a specified role will become the property of VIRTUS. No fees will be paid for candidates hired from agency submissions made without such an agreement. Existing agency partnerships must adhere to position-specific terms outlined in their agreements. Please refrain from calling or emailing regarding this matter.