Cost Controller - Defence

Mace; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Hybrid working

Medical health cover

Life insurance

Income protection insurance

Pension scheme

Discretionary salary reviews

Family friendly policies

Annual leave + holidays

Job summary

Mace in Preston seeks a Cost Controller/Cost Engineer to join our Defence team, delivering robust cost management and reporting across major programmes. You will provide cost forecasts, baselines and performance insights to support decision making.

A relevant qualification and cost-control experience in regulated environments are required. Hybrid working from Preston is available, with eligibility for UK security clearance.

Qualifications

• Qualification in quantity surveying, commercial management, finance, engineering, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience in cost control or cost engineering within construction, infrastructure or regulated programmes.
• Knowledge of forecasting, baselining, change impact, and cost reporting cycles.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with cost systems.
• Ability to present cost information clearly to stakeholders.
• Willingness to work from Preston or Lancashire area.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cost baselines, forecasts and estimates per governance.
• Track commitments, actuals, accruals and variances, with clear cost reporting.
• Support monthly cost reporting cycles, including data validation and reconciliation.
• Support change control by quantifying cost impacts and maintaining logs.
• Work with commercial, procurement and project management to reflect contract and supply chain positions.
• Provide cost insight for governance packs, assurance reviews and senior reporting.

Skills

Cost control

Cost engineering

Forecasting

Cost baselining

Cost reporting

Attention to detail

Stakeholder communication

Flexibility

Security clearance eligibility

Education

HND or degree in Quantity Surveying/Commercial Management/Finance/Engineering/Project Management or related

Tools

Excel

Cost systems

Reporting tools

Job description

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey.

We are looking to appoint a Cost Controller/Cost Engineer to join our Defence team in Preston, supporting a major long term programme operating within air system and Defence environments. In this role, you will support robust cost management and reporting across assigned projects or work packages, providing clear cost performance insight to enable informed decision‑making and the successful delivery of programme outcomes. The role is due to commence in late autumn to early winter and sits within an Integrated Client Team operating in a secure and highly regulated environment.

Note: Due to the security requirements of the role, candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain UK security clearance.

You’ll Be Responsible For

• Maintaining cost baselines, forecasts and estimates to complete and at completion in line with programme governance requirements.
• Tracking commitments, actuals, accruals and variances, and providing timely cost reporting with clear narrative on key drivers.
• Supporting monthly cost reporting cycles, including data validation, reconciliation and approval activities.
• Supporting change control processes by quantifying cost impacts, maintaining change logs and contributing to business case development.
• Working closely with commercial, procurement and project management teams to ensure cost data accurately reflects contract and supply chain positions.
• Providing cost insight and analysis for governance packs, assurance reviews and senior stakeholder reporting.

You’ll Need To Have

• A relevant qualification (HND or degree) in quantity surveying, commercial management, finance, engineering, project management or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in cost control or cost engineering roles within construction, infrastructure or similarly regulated programme environments.
• A good understanding of forecasting, cost baselining, change impact assessment and cost reporting cycles.
• Strong Excel capability and confidence working with programme cost systems and reporting tools.
• High attention to detail, with the ability to clearly communicate cost information and insight to a range of stakeholders.
• Flexibility and willingness to work from the Preston or Lancashire area as required.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain UK security clearance.

What’s On Offer

• Car allowance.
• Hybrid working.
• Medical health cover.
• Life insurance.
• Income protection insurance.
• Pension scheme.
• Discretionary annual salary reviews.
• Family friendly policies.
• 22 days annual leave + 2 Mace days + 3 days Christmas shutdown + 1 additional day leave for every 2 years of service + Bank holidays.

Safety first - Going home safe and well:

We champion a safe, diverse and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of wellbeing in every team.

Client focus - Deliver on our promise:

We own the quality of deliverables, strategic outcomes and build long term relationships with our clients.

Integrity - Always do the right thing:

We influence positive outcomes within our industry, while always aligning with our compliance obligations.

Create opportunity - For our people to excel:

We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates.

We are also open to discussing part time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable with-in the role.