Cost Engineer - Project Controls - Energy Projects

Turner & Townsend; Cowfold; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is seeking a Cost Engineer in the Energy Projects group. You will manage cost on multiple packages, develop CBS aligned with WBS, and ensure accurate ACWP reporting within NEC/FIDIC frameworks.

You will work with the Integrated Project Team to deliver robust cost controls, forecasts, and performance data to drive management decisions while supervising a delivery cost-control team.

Qualifications

• Detailed understanding of Earned Value Management (EVM) and performance reporting.
• Experience with cost forecasting and cost control across project lifecycles.
• Ability to coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and lead cost control activities.
• Experience implementing cost control systems and aligning CBS with WBS.

Responsibilities

• Tailor cost control approaches to meet the client needs.
• Maintain cost control systems to track budgets, commitments, expenditures, and forecasts.
• Develop CBS aligned to WBS and set budgets for work packages.
• Lead accruals and ensure ACWP accuracy.
• Support change process with cost information and forecasts.
• Update forecasts to ensure ETC alignment.
• Interact with management with cost control updates on complex projects.
• Guide cost control team and drive performance within NEC/FIDIC processes.

Skills

Earned Value Management

Cost engineering

Cost control

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Job description

Cost Engineer - Project Controls - Energy Projects

Full‑time | Department: Energy and Natural Resources

MAIN PURPOSE OF ROLE

A Cost Engineer will be responsible for work packages and projects of varying size and complexity. Due to the nature of the programme of works, work packages may vary in size with Cost Engineers accountable for the control of cost on multiple smaller projects or one which could be significantly larger in value. A Senior Cost Engineer will be responsible for taking the lead on cost control for multiple non‑related projects or a single highly complex project within the programme of works. They will understand and manage relationships between time, cost, risk, change, reporting and scope, with accountability for creating and maintaining robust cost controls and reports that provide our clients with accurate data to drive management decisions. They will play a key role in ensuring that client objectives are met and that projects are delivered to time, cost targets and the appropriate quality standards.

Key Accountabilities

As a Cost Engineer, you have a passion to provide services as required by our clients, which may include:

• Tailoring Cost Control approaches to meet the client’s needs and aligning with best practice.
• Implementing, administering, and maintaining cost control systems and procedures to track project budgets, commitments, expenditures, and forecasts.
• Working with the Integrated Project Team to establish a robust, integrated, well‑structured, accurate Performance Measurement Baseline (PMB) and support the change control process.
• Developing project Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS), aligning the time phasing of budgets against the Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) to accurately track and control actual costs.
• Mapping and integrating cost estimates to the Work Breakdown Structure, in order to set the project budget against the correct Work Packages, Planning Packages and Control Accounts.
• Adherence to NEC or FIDIC contract processes for management, control and reporting of cost data.
• Leading the production of accruals to ensure that the Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP) is accurately reflected in a timely manner in the cost data.
• Supporting the change process by providing cost information for change notes and underpinning forecasts.
• Updating project forecasts to ensure comprehensive and aligned Estimate To Complete (ETC).
• Working with the project team to set out and implement cost capture requirements, including ensuring appropriate work orders (WO) are in place, structure of requisitions, aligning Purchase Order (PO) structure with WO’s and ensuring sub‑contract data provided can be used to monitor and control costs.
• Aligning Purchase Orders with CBS to give clarity of Cost Performance Indices at an appropriate level within the Project.
• Validating and interrogating supply chain data to assist in accurate cost forecasting and trending and working with the supply chain to understand variances, drive cost accuracy and timely accurate reporting.
• Interacting with Management / Leadership members when delivering updates on Cost Control within a complex project/programme environment.
• Guiding and influencing while delivering cost control processes, on complex projects/programmes along with all associated processes & reports.
• Demonstrating leadership while developing the technical ability of the delivery and cost control team.

Qualifications

You have professional Project Controls experience specialising in Cost Engineering/Control in one or more sectors across the whole Project lifecycle. While nuclear experience is desirable it is not an absolute requirement. You have a detailed understanding of Earned Value Management (EVM), progress reporting, forecasting and performance reporting and analysis and can coordinate and work with other teams utilising your multidisciplinary knowledge.

You are a strong communicator, able to demonstrate leadership behaviours with the ability to influence, manage, motivate, coach and develop a team by fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. You promote empowerment and contribution and have a passion to build a community and support network beyond your delivery role.

You also:

• Will be able to obtain BPSS level security clearance.
• Are a member of a relevant professional body (e.g., Association for Project Management, Project Management Institute).
• Have experience with different cost performance reporting and cost forecasting techniques.
• Have experience leading Cost Control Assurance activities as part of project performance cadence.
• Understand how other aspects of Project Controls (Scheduling, Risk Management, Reporting, Change Control) interact with Cost Control (desirable).
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Have the ability to make risk‑based decisions where the parameters are unclear, and judgement is needed.
• Have strong leadership skills with the ability to mobilise, inspire and lead by example.
• Have strong stakeholder management experience.
• Can navigate through conflict situations and defuse tension.
• Have a desire to work within the nuclear sector.

SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.