Head of Project Controls

JAB Recruitment; Aberdeen City; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm seeks a Head of Project Controls for a client in the energy services sector. The role involves overseeing project control activities, driving improvements, and ensuring effective governance across projects. Ideal candidates will have strong leadership skills and relevant degrees, with proven experience in complex project environments.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in a relevant discipline.
• Proven experience leading project controls on complex portfolios.

Responsibilities

• Lead a regional team of project controls professionals.
• Establish and maintain robust systems for planning and cost management.
• Monitor and report project performance to stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Leadership

Education

Degree in Construction

Degree in Quantity Surveying

Degree in Business

Tools

Excel

Job description

Head of Project Controls

Location: Aberdeen

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

Reports to: Commercial Director

Salary: Competitive, commensurate with experience

JAB Recruitment is currently looking to source a Head of Project Controls on behalf of our Client in the energy services sector. We’re seeking candidates with innovative thinking and a forward-looking mindset—individuals who can drive improvement and support the continued evolution of project controls across a dynamic and growing portfolio.

Role Overview:

The Head of Project Controls will be responsible for leading all project control activities across proposals and active contracts within the Asset Solutions business. This includes oversight of planning and scheduling, cost control, estimating, document control, and risk management. The role offers a unique opportunity to influence how project controls are executed and embedded, introducing consistent processes and data-driven insights to support delivery excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead a regional team of project controls professionals across cost, planning, risk, change and document control functions.
• Champion standardised approaches and tools to ensure reliable, high-quality data that supports effective decision-making and governance.
• Support contract audits, performance reviews, and project risk assessments.
• Monitor and report project performance to stakeholders in a timely and clear manner.
• Establish and maintain robust systems and processes for planning, estimating, forecasting, and cost management.
• Oversee baseline and status reporting aligned with execution plans and client requirements.
• Support the development and submission of proposals through accurate cost estimation and schedule planning.
• Ensure commercial close-out is completed across all scopes, including CTR/job card and supplier PO management.
• Collaborate with project teams to maintain visibility on progress, manage change, and ensure alignment with client contracts.
• Promote continuous improvement and knowledge sharing across the project controls function.

Candidate Requirements:

Education & Knowledge:

• Degree-qualified in a relevant discipline (e.g. Construction, Quantity Surveying, Business).
• Strong knowledge of project execution phases, project control systems and governance frameworks.
• Familiarity with a range of contract types and scopes including O&M, EPC and drilling.

Skills & Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with a proactive and solution-oriented approach.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• High level of numeracy and attention to detail.
• Confident with planning and cost control tools; advanced Excel skills essential.
• Effective leader with experience building and developing teams.

Experience:

• Proven experience leading project controls on complex, multi-contract portfolios.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to support proposal development.
• Experience in the energy, oil & gas or related industrial sectors.
• Demonstrated success driving change and improving operational performance.