Head Of Project Controls

AtkinsRéalis; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure consultancy in Birmingham is seeking a Head of Project Controls to lead project controls delivery across major infrastructure schemes worth over £50m. This full-time, permanent role offers a competitive salary ranging from £70,000 to £90,000 along with flexible working arrangements. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in project management, stakeholder engagement, and a commitment to ethical practices, contributing to the company's strategic goals and team development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Hybrid and remote working flexibility

Excellent pension scheme

Car allowance for UK-wide travel

Comprehensive healthcare package

Mentoring and professional development investment

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Senior Project Controls Manager, Head of Controls or equivalent role.
• Background in managing large-scale infrastructure projects (£50m+).
• Experience with NEC contracts and compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the project controls plan and procedures.
• Drive project controls delivery across various infrastructure schemes.
• Liaise with stakeholders to manage expectations and project goals.

Skills

Project management

Cost control

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Strategic leadership

Team mentoring

Job description

Are you an experienced Head of Project Controls or Senior Project Controls Manager looking for a strategic leadership opportunity in infrastructure? We're recruiting a Head of Project Controls in Birmingham to lead project controls delivery and drive commercial excellence across major infrastructure schemes across the UK. This is a full‑time, permanent role offering autonomy and the chance to shape delivery strategy on large scale projects worth £50m+. Join a rapidly growing ethical consultancy at the forefront of major infrastructure delivery. You'll lead a talented project controls team across nuclear, highways, rail, aviation, utilities and water sector projects. Working with established client relationships and the opportunity to develop your own business portfolio, this role offers real strategic impact and clear progression into senior consultancy leadership. CLIENT We are recruiting for a leading and rapidly expanding infrastructure consultancy specialising in cost management, project management and project controls across the UK's most complex and high‑profile schemes. They are recognised as an ethical, personable consultancy with a strong reputation for delivering excellence on major infrastructure programmes including nuclear, highways, rail, aviation, utilities and water projects. With values rooted in kindness, ethical practice, transparency and honesty, our client is committed to community outreach and supporting charitable initiatives. They invest in mentoring their employees to reduce knowledge gaps and fostering long‑term professional development. You'll join a collaborative team that and champions sustainable infrastructure delivery across the UK. This infrastructure consultancy supports clients from early stage through to delivery completion on major infrastructure frameworks and PMO engagements., As Head of Project Controls in Birmingham, you'll provide strategic leadership across project controls delivery, establish robust governance frameworks and drive commercial excellence across multiple infrastructure schemes. Leading a dedicated project controls team, you'll oversee programme management, cost control, risk management and contract administration on major infrastructure projects, often worth £50m+. Your responsibilities as Head of Project Controls will include:

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the project controls plan and associated procedures
• Embed robust breakdown structures, integrating data from all project controls functions (cost, schedule, risk, change management) to establish a unified baseline
• Drive project controls delivery across nuclear, highways, rail, aviation, utilities and water sector schemes
• Establish and embed governance frameworks and project controls procedures across client engagements
• Collaborate with project managers and engineers to ensure project objectives are achieved within scope, schedule, and budget constraints
• Liaise with clients and other stakeholders to manage expectations and ensure alignment with project goals
• Oversee cost planning, budget forecasting, cost reporting and financial controls on major infrastructure programmes
• Manage the risk management process risk in line with NEC and bespoke infrastructure frameworks
• Lead a team of project controls professionals and provide them with guidance, mentorship, and training.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a leading, fast‑growing consultancy with an impressive pipeline of major infrastructure projects and genuine scope for business development. As Head of Project Controls, you'll influence strategic delivery, build your own client portfolio and shape the future direction of the consultancy's project controls practice.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Senior Project Controls Manager, Head of Controls or equivalent leadership role in infrastructure or major project delivery
• Extensive background managing large‑scale infrastructure projects (£50m+)
• Demonstrable experience leading PMO functions and establishing governance frameworks on complex infrastructure programmes
• Experience with infrastructure frameworks and compliance requirements (NEC contracts, bespoke client frameworks)
• Established client relationships and proven business development capability
• Strategic mindset with ability to see the long‑term picture and drive process improvement
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills across senior client and delivery teams
• Ability to work independently whilst fostering a collaborative, mentoring culture
• Commitment to ethical practices

Benefits

• Competitive salary: £70,000 - £90,000 (depending on experience)
• Hybrid and remote working flexibility
• Excellent pension scheme
• Car allowance for UK‑wide travel
• Professional fees support (APM, RICS memberships)
• Comprehensive healthcare package
• Tailored progression pathway to senior consultancy leadership roles
• Mentoring and professional development investment
• Work with a UK‑leading consultancy