Lead Project Controller

BAE Systems; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in the UK is looking for a Lead Project Controller to oversee the Project Controls team. This role involves implementing processes across planning, cost, risk, and performance reporting. The ideal candidate will have experience in Project Controls, Earned Value Management, and strong analytical skills. The position offers hybrid working arrangements and a competitive benefits package. Please see the listing for application details and deadlines.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health benefits

Shopping discounts

Annual incentive eligibility

Qualifications

• Experience applying Project Controls disciplines including planning, costs, risk and performance reporting.
• Working knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM) and forecasting techniques.
• Ability to present multifaceted project information clearly to stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support and coordinate day-to-day activities of the Project Controls team.
• Implement and assure project controls processes across planning, cost, risk and change.
• Act as a key interface with delivery, finance, and engineering teams.

Skills

Project Controls disciplines

Earned Value Management (EVM)

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ)

Tools

Daltek software – Open plan professional

COBRA

Job description

Job Title: Lead Project Controller

Location: Warton - We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: £56,766

What you’ll be doing:

• You will support and coordinate the day‑to‑day activities of a Project Controls team, providing task direction, technical guidance and informal coaching
• You will also implement, maintain and assure project controls processes across planning, cost, risk, change and performance reporting in line with defined Air Sector and programme standards
• You'll develop, maintain and assure performance measurement baselines, ensuring consistency, traceability and data integrity
• Produce and assure accurate forecasting (EAC), earned value performance analysis, trend identification and variance explanations
• Provide analytical insight and constructive challenge to project teams, highlighting risks, opportunities and recommending corrective actions
• Act as a key interface with delivery, finance and engineering teams to ensure alignment and effective communication of project performance

Your skills and experiences:

Essential:

• Experience applying Project Controls disciplines including planning, costs, risk and performance reporting.
• Considerable working knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM) and forecasting techniques, with the ability to interpret and investigate performance data
• Excellent analytical and communication skills, able to present multi‑faced project information clearly to a range of stakeholders
• Experience supervising, guiding or coaching project controls professionals in a project or programme environment

Desirable:

• APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ)
• Experience working on multi‑faced or large‑scale programmes
• Utilising Daltek software – Open plan professional or COBRA

Benefits:

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Program Management Team:

The team contributes to highly detailed national and international projects within the Air Sector of BAE Systems. As part of this team, you will be working on project control techniques to support the Project Managers in the delivery of large, high value, technically detailed and strategically important programmes. This role will provide you with opportunity to utilise state of the art project control technology and play an integral role in the team.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Closing Date: 12th January 2026

Due to the festive season, there may be a delay in the processing of your application. Your application is important to us, and we will respond as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.