Head of Project Controls Rail

Randstad Cpe London; London; Hybrid; GBP 109,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking a Head of Project Controls in London for a senior leadership role overseeing project controls on a significant rail development programme worth over £19bn. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in leading project controls teams and engaging with stakeholders at the highest levels, providing strategic insights and ensuring best practices across the multidisciplinary supply chain.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading large project controls functions on major rail or infrastructure programmes.
• In-depth knowledge of schedule, cost, risk and change management.
• Strong leadership and team development skills, ideally with experience of managing teams of 10–20.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project controls across a portfolio valued at over £19bn.
• Lead the development and integration of baselines including scope, time, cost, risk and quality.
• Provide strategic insights on performance trends to board-level stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership in project controls

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic analysis

Communication skills

Knowledge of project controls systems

Tools

Primavera P6

Prism

CEMAR

Job description

Do you have experience leading large project controls teams on major infrastructure programmes?

Are you confident in driving baseline integration and providing strategic insights at the highest levels of government and industry?

Salary: £109,200 – £ <phone number removed>
Job Title: Head of Project Controls
Location: London Euston (3 days per week in office, hybrid flexibility)

This is a senior leadership role within one of the UK’s most complex and nationally significant rail development programmes, responsible for overseeing project controls across a portfolio valued at over £19bn.

The successful candidate will lead the development and integration of baselines (scope, time, cost, risk and quality), provide strategic insights on performance trends, and ensure best practice in project controls across a multi-disciplinary supply chain. They will also manage and inspire a high-performing team of 10–15 project controls professionals, ensuring accuracy, assurance and consistency across reporting and delivery.

The role is central to enabling Parliamentary processes and future delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail and associated works. It requires gravitas, credibility and proven leadership in complex, high-value programmes.

Requirements

• Significant experience leading large project controls functions on major rail or infrastructure programmes.
• In-depth knowledge of schedule, cost, risk and change management.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with board-level stakeholder engagement experience (government/departmental exposure desirable).
• Proficiency in project controls systems (Primavera P6, Prism, CEMAR or similar).
• Proven ability to provide strategic analysis and support executive-level decision-making.
• Strong leadership and team development skills, ideally with experience of managing teams of 10–20.
• Background could be from rail, nuclear, defence, infrastructure, or other major projects with Parliamentary or consenting experience.

Interview process: One-stage, via Teams.

Required Qualifications

• None