Head of Project Performance and Controls

Sir Robert McAlpine; Wales; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction company is seeking a Head of Project Performance and Controls for a major industrial project in South Wales. This critical role involves establishing a robust project controls framework, leading a multi-disciplinary team, and providing insights across cost, programme, and risk management. The ideal candidate will have senior leadership experience in large-scale UK infrastructure projects and possess strong analytical and communication skills. This position offers competitive rewards and growth opportunities.

Benefits

Performance-related progression opportunities

Flexible benefits package

Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership in project controls for large-scale UK infrastructure projects.
• Experience managing complex, multi-million-pound programmes.
• Deep technical knowledge in risk management and document control.

Responsibilities

• Establish and improve the project controls framework across all areas.
• Lead a multi-disciplinary project controls team and manage specialists.
• Provide timely performance insights through structured reporting.

Skills

Senior leadership experience in project controls

Technical expertise in planning and cost control

Analytical capability

Strong communication skills

Tools

Primavera P6

NEC and FIDIC contracts

Job description

Sir Robert McAlpine is delivering a major multi-year construction programme in Port Talbot, South Wales, involving heavy construction and civil engineering works across a major industrial site. Beginning with critical enabling works, this programme forms a central part of a £1bn+ megaproject to build the world's largest electric arc furnace, driving a greener, decarbonised future and setting new standards in engineering excellence.

We are seeking a Head of Project Performance and Controls on this major industrial project in South Wales. This is a critical leadership role, with accountability for establishing and embedding a robust project controls framework that underpins safe, predictable, and high‑quality delivery.

You will provide strategic direction and hands‑on leadership to a multi‑disciplinary project controls team, as well as manage specialist contractors, ensuring clear governance and transparent, real‑time insight across cost, programme, risk, and change. Through disciplined performance management and collaborative leadership, you will play a key role in ensuring the project is delivered.

Key responsibilities:

• Establish, lead, and continuously improve the project controls framework across cost, programme, risk, change, document control, and performance reporting, providing clear governance and assurance.
• Lead a high‑performing, multi‑disciplinary project controls team and manage specialist contractors, delivering accurate forecasting, earned value, schedule control (Primavera P6), and robust risk and opportunity management.
• Provide clear, timely performance insight to senior stakeholders through structured reporting, dashboards, and variance analysis, while supporting procurement, governance forums, audits, and tender submissions.

Skills & Experience:

• Proven senior leadership experience in project controls on large‑scale UK infrastructure, industrial, or energy projects, with accountability for complex, multi‑million-pound programmes.
• Deep technical expertise in planning, cost control, forecasting, EVM, risk management, and document control, with strong working knowledge of NEC and FIDIC contracts.
• Strong analytical capability and commercial acumen, coupled with the credibility and communication skills to influence decision‑making at executive and board level.

Rewards

We invest in your growth with wide‑ranging, performance‑related progression opportunities. Our competitive rewards package includes flexible benefits designed to suit your lifestyle and priorities.