Cost Management Lead

ScottishPower; Blantyre; Hybrid; GBP 77,000; Full time

Job description

Cost Management Lead
Location: Aspect House, Blantyre

Salary up to £77,000 per year, with a strong benefits package including an 20% Annual Bonus (performance related), Private Healthcare (Family) - plus a £450 per month Car Allowance.

Full Time / Permanent
Flexible /Hybrid options

Closing Date: 30/04/25

Help us create a better future, quicker

At Scottish Power we know that our people are our strongest asset, so we're always looking for individuals whose energy, intelligence and passion can help us reach our goals.

At the heart of all business visions and activities are the people whose individual efforts and performance make it happen. We encourage our people to be proud of where they work, to share their ideas and to own their careers. We promote a safe working environment and push people to shape and progress their careers so that we grow our talent within the company.

Role

SP Energy Networks (SPEN) will be delivering over £10 bn of investment in the GB electricity grid over the next 5 years. As part of this, SPT Strategic Projects will be delivering a £2.4b portfolio of new overhead lines and new and upgraded substations, including design, engineering, construction and electrical works.

The Cost Management Lead' is a critical role in SPT Strategic Projects focussing on the standup and implementation of robust cost controls processes and ways of working across the portfolio, working as part of a multi-disciplinary PMO team and serving as the portfolio's technical Cost expert. The Cost Management Lead will oversee cost estimating and cost control activities across the projects including assessment of project budgets developed by project Cost Engineers.

The role reports to the Strategic Portfolio PMO Lead.

The position may require frequent travel to various locations in the UK. The individual should be prepared to manage teams working at different project locations.

What you will be doing

1. Leads the definition, implementation and continuous improvement of Cost Management standards and ways of working across the portfolio.
2. Owns and maintains the Strategic Portfolio Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS), ensuring it is up-to-date in relevant systems (e.g., CMS, SAP PPM).
3. Integrates Earned Value (EV) data into cost reporting, validate Actual Costs (AC), and supports accurate forecasting of Estimate at Completion (EAC).
4. Leads the month-end financial/cost reporting process, including cost variance analysis and budget performance reviews.
5. Attends governance meetings as required, providing expert cost-related advice and insights.
6. Monitors Contractors' cost performance, ensuring adherence to budgets and agreed-upon cost KPIs.
7. Ensures alignment between schedule and cost baselines, collaborating with Planning & Scheduling and Risk teams to integrate impacts into cost forecasts.
8. Supports the Value of Work Done (VoWD) process, including accruals and prepayments, as part of the month-end close.
9. Review cost management tools and systems and ensure they are optimised to support project delivery.
10. Leads the recruitment, onboarding, and allocation of Cost Engineers to the Strategic projects and supports their professional development.
11. Upskills Cost Engineers and enforces consistent application of the Cost Management playbook across all projects in the portfolio.
12. Conducts quality reviews of cost forecasts, ensuring alignment with industry benchmarks and comparable project data.
13. Generates and presents portfolio-wide cost reports and metrics, enabling data-driven decision-making.
14. Maintains the Cost Management System (CMS) with accurate and validated data and support the ongoing transition to S/4 HANA.
15. Liaises with Procurement, Project Managers, and Budget Holders to update committed expenditure and validates budget assumptions.
16. Oversees the cash flow reporting and forecasting process, ensuring alignment with financial objectives.
17. Develops and refines the Strategic projects' quarterly VoWD plans/forecasts, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
18. Collaborates with SPEN EN Control and finance departments to agree on reporting structures and periodic data requirements.
19. Approves Purchase Requisitions and Purchase Orders, validating cost control coding and alignment with approved budgets.
20. Identifies and resolves cost-related issues, proactively addressing risks and variances.
21. Contributes to the continuous improvement of the Strategic Portfolio by championing Lessons Learned and introduction of best-in class industry practices.

What you will bring

1. Extensive experience (15+ years) in Cost Management on large EPC projects, ideally in energy infrastructure or comparable sectors (UK transmission/distribution upgrade experience beneficial but not essential).
2. Degree-qualified in a relevant field (e.g., Engineering, Finance, or Quantity Surveying) or equivalent qualifications/experience in Cost Management.
3. Expert knowledge of cost management methodologies, with familiarity or certification in RICS New Rules of Measurement (NRM).
4. Proven ability to develop and manage complex cost structures for multi-million-pound, multi-disciplinary projects.
5. Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with confidence engaging senior stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams.
6. Strong analytical and presentation skills, with the ability to interpret and summarise cost data, trends, and KPIs impacting the portfolio.
7. Advanced proficiency in industry-standard tools and systems, including S/4 HANA, SAP, Microsoft Office, Document Management Systems, Power BI, CEMAR, Sypro, etc.
8. Demonstrated ability to integrate Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics into cost reporting processes.
9. Experience managing cost implications of NEC4 contracts, including forecasting, invoicing, and change control (experience with NEC4 is advantageous).
10. Strong problem-solving skills and a proven ability to resolve conflicting requirements under tight deadlines.
11. Ability to influence decisions at all organisational levels through evidence-based recommendations.
12. Tenacity, persistence, and determination to overcome challenges and deliver results.
13. Proven experience collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams across large-scale projects and portfolios.
14. Experience in mentoring and upskilling junior cost management professionals, fostering best practices across teams.
15. Knowledge of cash flow forecasting and VoWD processes, including accruals, prepayments, and financial planning.
16. Ability to drive continuous improvement in cost management processes, standards, and tools across a portfolio.

Minimum Requirements

• Experience in cost management within NEC3/NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) frameworks, ideally in large-scale Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects.
• Proficiency in IT systems, including MS Office Suite, SAP, S4 HANA, and PowerBI, with the ability to generate and analyse complex cost reports.
• Proven expertise in cost control, including budget management, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams.
• Degree qualified in a relevant field (e.g., Engineering, Finance, or Project Management) or equivalent professional qualifications/experience.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a high-pressure environment managing teams and influencing stakeholders.

What's in it for you

As well as a competitive salary which is reviewed annually, you can also enjoy several other benefits. With our pension scheme, we'll double match your contribution up to a company contribution of 10%.

At Scottish Power, we believe it's the little things we do in life that make a big difference. From helping you look after your family's wellbeing, save for your future, and take personal steps for climate action - our benefits are designed to help you do just that - so that you have everything you need to take care of your world - today and tomorrow. That's why our benefits include:

36 days annual leave
Business mileage claimed at £0.45/Mile
Holiday purchase - perfect your work/life balance with extra annual leave
Share Incentive Plan and Share save Scheme
Payroll giving and charity matched funding
Technology Vouchers - save more and spread the cost of your technology purposes
Count us in - pledge to reduce carbon emissions and help fight climate change
Electric Vehicle Schemes - to help you transition to green/clean driving
Cycle to Work scheme and public transport season ticket loans
Options to purchase dental insurance, private medical insurance, health cash plan and annual health assessments
Life Assurance (4x salary)
Access to nudge' financial wellbeing support
Plus, shopping, leisure, restaurant and gym discounts, and unique employee deals on travel insurance and more
CIOB Chartership programmes available.

Why SP Energy Networks

SP Energy Networks is part of the Iberdrola Group, one of the world's largest integrated utility companies and a world leader in wind energy. We keep electricity flowing to homes and businesses through Central and Southern Scotland, North Wales and in the North West of England. We operate over 4000km of cables and lines that make-up the transmission network - connecting infrastructure like wind farms into the electricity system. It's a role that puts us right at the heart of Scotland's ambition to be Net Zero by 2044. And we're taking it very seriously.

We're investing £5.5 billion into our transmission network, directly supporting the rapid growth needed in renewable energy. With diverse opportunities across our businesses and a commitment to invest in our own internal talent, ScottishPower can offer people real career opportunities that meet personal and professional goals, in a global organisation.

Inclusion, diversity, and a social purpose are at the heart of everything we do. Together with our values, they bring us together into a stronger, more sustainable business with direct links to the communities we serve. It takes all kinds of people to build a large-scale business like ours, so whatever your background, you'll fit right in.

We are committed to providing reasonable support or adjustments in our recruiting processes for candidates with disabilities, long term conditions, mental health conditions, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support. If you need support, please reach out to careers scottishpower.com.