Head of Project Controls

Randstad Cpe London; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 122,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad CPE London is seeking a Head of Project Controls for a Milton Keynes hybrid role on the HS2 EKFB package. You will lead a 25-35 person team in cost, planning (P6), risk and estimating, reporting to the Project Director.

You will drive performance, challenge JV partners, manage NEC submissions and EVM data, and present updates to senior stakeholders, including the Chief Programme Officer.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of 25-30+ people on complex infrastructure projects.
• Strong NEC contracts, Earned Value Management (EVM) and scheduling know-how.
• Experience presenting to executive stakeholders.
• Background from client/contractor/consultancy environments welcomed.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a large, dispersed project controls team.
• Act as an active client, challenging JV partners and aligning with the programme.
• Oversee NEC submissions, EVM data and weekly quantity reports.
• Present updates to senior executives including the Chief Programme Officer.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Team coordination

Strategic planning

Tools

Primavera P6

EVM

NEC Contracts

Job description

Are you a director-level project controls leader looking to make your mark on a project that is already exceeding its goals?

Role

Head of Project Controls

Location

Milton Keynes (Hybrid 2 days WFH)

Salary

£122,000 - £132,000

This is an opportunity for a Head of Project Controls to lead a 35-strong team on the EKFB section of HS2-the largest, most dynamic, and highest-performing area of the project, with a £2 billion annual spend. This is not a recovery role, you will be joining a team that is smashing its targets and working with an intelligent, data-driven contractor.

As the Head of Project Controls, you will be the day-to-day leader for a multi-disciplinary team of 25 -35 specialists in cost, planning (P6), risk, and estimating. Reporting directly to the Project Director, you will:

• Lead and Inspire: Manage a large, geographically dispersed team, setting objectives and driving their performance.
• Be an Active Client: Embody our "eyes on, hands-on" approach, confidently challenging our joint venture partners and ensuring project-level work aligns with the overall programme.
• Manage Key Interfaces: Oversee the flow of critical performance data, including NEC contractual submissions, earned value (EVM), and weekly quantity reports.
• Influence at the Top: Prepare and present performance updates to senior executive stakeholders, including the Chief Programme Officer.

Ideal candidate will have

• Proven Leadership: Demonstrable experience leading large project controls teams (25-30+ people) on complex, major infrastructure projects (e.g., heavy civils, nuclear, major transport).
• Technical Expertise: A strong background in project controls, with deep knowledge of NEC contracts, Earned Value Management (EVM), and scheduling tools like P6 (Primavera).
• Stakeholder Management: Experience presenting to executive-level stakeholders and the ability to tailor complex information for different audiences.
• Collaborative Mindset: A background from a client, contractor, or consultancy environment is welcome; a blend is ideal but not essential.