Cost Controller - Project Controls - Energy Projects

Turner & Townsend; Lancing; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is seeking a Cost Controller to manage project costs across various projects in Lancing, England. This role involves establishing cost control processes and ensuring projects meet budget and schedule requirements.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree, strong project management skills, and experience in cost control across major projects. Join our diverse and inclusive team at a time of significant growth.

The role offers opportunities to influence project outcomes within a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Professional Project Controls experience specialising in cost engineering/control across the whole project lifecycle.
• Significant experience in cost control and contract management across major projects.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and strong working knowledge of SAP.

Responsibilities

• Manage and control project costs across various projects.
• Establish and maintain robust cost control processes.
• Review contractor cost control processes to ensure budget alignment.

Skills

Cost engineering experience

Project management principles

Analytical capability

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office applications

SAP systems

Job description

Job Description

Due to increased opportunities and demand in the Energy & Natural Resources division, the team is recruiting Cost Controllers / Engineers to join a diverse and supportive team during a period of significant growth. Our Transmission and Distribution client is at the forefront of industry‑leading change, and we are keen to speak to like‑minded individuals with senior cost engineering experience to discuss opportunities.

Main Purpose of the Role

A Cost Controller is responsible for managing and controlling project costs across work packages and projects of varying size and complexity. This may include overseeing multiple smaller projects or leading cost control on a single high‑value or complex project.

The Cost Controller establishes, implements, and maintains robust cost control processes, ensuring accurate financial reporting and forecasting to support effective decision‑making. The role requires a strong understanding of the relationships between cost, schedule, risk, scope, and change.

Working as part of an Integrated Project Team, the Cost Controller ensures client objectives are achieved and that projects are delivered in line with approved budgets, schedules, and quality standards.

Key Accountabilities

• Review and assess contractor cost control processes, systems, and performance to ensure alignment with project requirements and budget expectations.
• Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and completeness of cost tracking, including actual expenditures, value of work completed, commitments, and forecast final costs.
• Maintain and manage contract and commitment registers, providing clear visibility of cost ceilings, actuals, accruals, and forecast positions.
• Develop and coordinate monthly and annual spend forecasts, including cost reconciliations and detailed variance analysis against approved budgets.
• Manage and consolidate cost performance data to support accurate and timely reporting.
• Ensure seamless integration of financial and accounting data within enterprise and project systems.
• Support the preparation and administration of contracts and work orders, including bid evaluations, cost estimates, and validation of contractor payments.
• Produce high‑quality, integrated cost reports for senior management, project teams, finance, and external stakeholders, ensuring consistency and data accuracy.
• Contribute to the organisation’s strategic and business planning processes by providing reliable cost data, forecasts, and analysis.
• Provide both technical and administrative support to the Contract Manager in the effective delivery of service contracts.
• Manage and coordinate service requests through the implementation and maintenance of appropriate systems and processes.
• Monitor and control project costs through regular reporting, including detailed variance analysis of actual costs and forecasts against annual and medium‑term financial targets.

Qualifications

Professional Project Controls experience specialising in cost engineering/control across the whole project lifecycle. Nuclear experience is desirable but not required. Detailed understanding of Earned Value Management, progress reporting, forecasting and performance reporting.

Strong communicator with leadership behaviours able to influence, manage, motivate, coach and develop a team within a diverse and inclusive environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• Relevant professional certifications or qualifications in cost management, project controls, or commercial disciplines.
• Significant experience in cost control and contract management across pre‑award and post‑award phases of major projects.
• Solid understanding of project management principles and their application within complex project environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, fluent in English (additional languages are advantageous).
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and strong working knowledge of SAP systems.
• Ability to produce reports and documentation in line with established standards and formats.
• Strong analytical capability, with ability to interpret technical, financial, commercial, and legal documentation.
• Flexible and adaptable approach, able to respond effectively to changing project requirements.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with ability to build relationships across multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Sound understanding of professional ethics and governance.
• Experience working within multicultural and international project teams.

Additional Information

Turner & Townsend is an equal‑opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Turner & Townsend policy: candidates must not pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted via our website or to personal email accounts are considered property of Turner & Townsend and are not subject to agency fee payments.

SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, where applicable.