Cost Engineer - Project Controls - Energy Projects

TURNER & TOWNSEND; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is seeking a Cost Engineer in Liverpool to support cost management and project controls for energy projects. You will help process invoices, maintain CBS/WBS alignment, and coordinate with project teams to ensure accurate cost recording and timely reporting.

The role requires strong Excel skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. BPSS clearance is desirable and experience in engineering or energy sectors is preferred.

Qualifications

• Interest in developing a career in Cost Engineering, Project Controls, or Project Finance with exposure to invoice processing or financial administration.
• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, comfortable with financial data in a project environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Able to obtain BPSS level security clearance.
• Experience with invoice processing, accounts payable, cost administration, or financial controls.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other Office applications.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced project environment.
• Demonstrates effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Interest in membership of APM or ACostE (desirable).
• Experience in engineering, construction, infrastructure, energy, or project-based environments (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation and maintenance of cost control systems to track budgets, commitments, actual costs and forecasts.
• Process, validate, and reconcile supplier invoices for accuracy and contractual compliance.
• Assist with CBS creation and maintenance aligned to WBS.
• Support setup and management of POs, WOs, and requisitions for accurate cost capture.
• Monitor invoice status, resolve discrepancies with suppliers and internal stakeholders, ensure timely payment processing.
• Assist in accruals production and ensure costs reflect in project reporting cycles.
• Maintain cost records and support month-end reporting and forecast updates.
• Support change control with cost and invoice information as required.
• Validate supplier and subcontractor cost data to improve project reporting accuracy.
• Assist in preparing cost reports, expenditure analysis, and financial summaries.
• Support compliance with NEC and FIDIC principles where applicable.
• Collaborate with project controls, planning, commercial, finance and procurement teams to keep cost information up to date.
• Identify and escalate cost, invoice or payment issues impacting project performance.
• Develop knowledge of cost engineering principles and industry best practices.

Job description

Cost Engineer - Project Controls - Energy Projects

• Full-time
• Department: Energy and natural resources

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 to realize 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.

As a Cost Engineer, you will support the delivery of cost management and project controls services, with a particular focus on invoice processing, cost administration, and financial reporting. Working closely with project teams, commercial teams, and the supply chain, you will help ensure project costs are accurately recorded, validated, and reported.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the implementation and maintenance of cost control systems and processes to track project budgets, commitments, actual costs, and forecasts.
• Processing, validating, and reconciling supplier invoices to ensure accuracy and compliance with project and contractual requirements.
• Assisting with the creation and maintenance of Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS) aligned to project Work Breakdown Structures (WBS).
• Supporting the setup and management of Purchase Orders (POs), Work Orders (WOs), and requisitions to ensure accurate cost capture and reporting.
• Monitoring invoice status, resolving discrepancies with suppliers and internal stakeholders, and ensuring timely payment processing.
• Assisting in the production of accruals and helping to ensure actual costs are accurately reflected within project reporting cycles.
• Maintaining cost records, supporting month‑end reporting activities, and contributing to forecast updates.
• Supporting the change control process by providing cost and invoice‑related information where required.
• Validating supplier and subcontractor cost data to improve the accuracy of project cost reporting and forecasting.
• Assisting in the preparation of cost reports, expenditure analysis, and financial summaries for project teams and management.
• Supporting compliance with contractual requirements, including NEC and FIDIC principles where applicable.
• Working collaboratively with project controls, planning, commercial, finance, and procurement teams to ensure cost information is accurate and up to date.
• Identifying and escalating cost, invoice, or payment issues that may impact project performance.
• Developing knowledge of cost engineering principles, project controls processes, and industry best practices.

Qualifications

• You have an interest in developing a career in Cost Engineering, Project Controls, or Project Finance, with experience or exposure to invoice processing, financial administration, cost control, or project support activities.
• You are highly organized, detail‑oriented, and comfortable working with financial data in a project environment.
• You possess strong communication skills and can build effective working relationships with both internal teams and external suppliers.
• Be able to obtain BPSS level security clearance.
• Have experience or knowledge of invoice processing, accounts payable, cost administration, or financial controls.
• Possess strong numerical and analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Be proficient in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Have the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines within a fast‑paced project environment.
• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Have strong stakeholder management and interpersonal skills.
• Be willing to learn project controls processes, including cost control, forecasting, change management, and reporting.
• Understand the importance of data accuracy and financial governance.
• Have experience working within engineering, construction, infrastructure, energy, or project-based environments (desirable).
• Be working towards or interested in membership of a relevant professional body such as the Association for Project Management (APM) or Association of Cost Engineers (ACostE) (desirable).
• Have a desire to develop a career within the nuclear, infrastructure, or energy sectors.

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.

We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work‑life balance.

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.

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