Cost Engineer - Project Controls

TURNER & TOWNSEND; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading project management consultancy in Glasgow is seeking a skilled Cost Engineer to oversee cost control for various projects. The ideal candidate will have professional experience in project controls, a strong grasp of Earned Value Management, and excellent communication skills. You will manage complex projects, align cost estimates with work structures, and support decision-making through accurate reporting. This role offers flexible working arrangements and opportunities for personal development and training.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Opportunity to work on high-profile projects

Supportive workplace culture

Access to professional development and training

Competitive salary and performance-based rewards

Qualifications

• Specialising in Cost Engineering/Control across the project lifecycle.
• Understanding of Earned Value Management (EVM) and performance reporting.
• Ability to obtain BPSS level security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Tailor cost control approaches to meet client needs.
• Implement cost control systems and procedures.
• Develop project Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS).
• Validate supply-chain data for accurate cost forecasting.

Skills

Professional Project Controls experience

Strong communicator

Stakeholder management

Leadership abilities

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Education

Member of a relevant professional body

Tools

Cost control systems

Earned Value Management (EVM)

Job description

Company Description

At Turner & Townsend we’re passionate about making the difference – we are committed to delivering Sustainable Net Zero outcomes for our clients, helping our people realise their potential, and doing our part to create a prosperous society. The world is changing, and we have a responsibility to support that change, helping drive it and be part of it. Through the commitment, capability and care our team brings, we build trust between clients, suppliers, governments, and society. Delivering better outcomes that have a positive impact on the world around us. We work smarter to face the challenges of the future; bringing the clarity that helps teams realise their full potential across the real estate, infrastructure, and natural resources sectors. It’s how we’ve made the difference for 75 years – transforming performance for a green, inclusive, and productive world.

Job Description

Due to increased opportunities and demand in the Energy & Natural Resources division, we are recruiting Cost 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 seek like‑minded individuals with senior cost engineering experience to explore what Turner & Townsend can offer you.

Role Purpose

A Cost Engineer will be responsible for work packages and projects of varying size and complexity, overseeing cost control for multiple smaller projects or single highly‑complex projects. They will manage relationships between time, cost, risk, change, reporting and scope, creating and maintaining robust cost controls and reports to provide accurate data for client decision‑making and to meet time, cost, and quality targets.

Key Accountabilities

• Tailor cost control approaches to meet client needs and align with best practice.
• Implement, administer, and maintain cost control systems and procedures to track project budgets, commitments, expenditures, and forecasts.
• Work with the Integrated Project Team to establish a robust, integrated, well‑structured Performance Measurement Baseline (PMB) and support the change control process.
• Develop project Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS) and align cost phasing with the Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) to accurately track and control actual costs.
• Map and integrate cost estimates to the WBS, setting the project budget against the correct Work Packages, Planning Packages and Control Accounts.
• Adhere to NEC or FIDIC contract processes for management, control and reporting of cost data.
• Lead the production of accruals to ensure the Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP) is accurately reflected in a timely manner.
• Support the change process by providing cost information for change notes and underpin forecasts.
• Update project forecasts to ensure comprehensive and aligned Estimate To Complete (ETC).
• Work with the project team to establish cost capture requirements, ensuring appropriate work orders, requisitions, and purchase order structures.
• Align Purchase Orders with the CBS to give clarity of Cost Performance Indices at an appropriate level within the project.
• Validate and interrogate supply‑chain data to assist in accurate cost forecasting, trending, and reporting.
• Interact with management and leadership members when delivering updates on cost control within a complex project/programme environment.
• Guide and influence cost control processes on complex projects/programmes and all associated processes & reports.
• Demonstrate leadership while developing the technical ability of the delivery and cost control team.

Qualifications

• Professional Project Controls experience, specialising in Cost Engineering/Control across the project lifecycle; nuclear experience desirable but not mandatory.
• Detailed understanding of Earned Value Management (EVM), progress reporting, forecasting, performance reporting and analysis.
• Strong communicator capable of demonstrating leadership behaviours, influencing, motivating, coaching, and developing a team in a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Ability to obtain BPSS level security clearance.
• Member of a relevant professional body (e.g., Association for Project Management, Project Management Institute).
• Familiar with cost performance reporting and forecasting techniques.
• Experience leading Cost Control Assurance activities as part of project performance cadence.
• Desirable: knowledge of how scheduling, risk management, reporting, and change control interact with cost control.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder management experience and the ability to navigate conflict situations.
• Desire to work within the nuclear sector.
• Strong leadership and accountability to mobilise, inspire and lead by example.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work‑life balance.
• Opportunity to work on high‑profile projects in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
• Supportive and inclusive workplace culture that values diversity.
• Access to professional development and training opportunities.
• Competitive salary and performance‑based rewards.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.