Principal Cost Specialist

weServed; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 64,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working up to 3 days a week

9 day fortnight

Generous holiday 25 days + bank hols

Pension with life assurance

Aviva DigiCare+ health & wellbeing

Job summary

Babcock International is seeking a Principal Cost Specialist to lead cost management across Naval Nuclear programmes, providing strategic oversight of estimating, budgeting, forecasting and performance reporting. You will influence major projects and support critical decision-making while collaborating with senior leaders.

The role offers hybrid working, security-clearance expectations, and extensive career development within a large defence organisation.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading cost management activities within complex portfolios, major programmes or enterprise delivery environments.
• Experience developing and implementing cost management frameworks, governance arrangements and control methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of portfolio governance and programme delivery frameworks.
• Expert understanding of cost forecasting, budgeting, cost control and financial performance analysis.
• Experience coaching and developing professional capability within project controls or cost management functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost management activities across the Naval Nuclear portfolio, acting as the recognised subject matter expert for cost management best practice.
• Develop, maintain and continuously improve cost management frameworks, standards, methodologies, governance processes and toolsets.
• Analyse complex cost and performance data, identifying trends, risks and opportunities to support informed decision-making.
• Establish consistent approaches to estimating, budgeting, forecasting, cost control, change management and financial performance reporting.
• Coach and mentor cost specialists, project controls professionals and delivery teams to strengthen capability across the organisation.

Skills

Cost management

Financial analysis

Leadership

Mentoring

Programme governance

Job description

Job Title: Principal Cost Specialist

Location: Stoke Gifford, Bristol + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: Up to £71,600 dependent on experience + Benefits

Role Type: Full Time / Permanent
Role ID: SF76627

Lead the future of cost excellence on programmes that protect and serve the nation

Do you want to help us in our mission, creating a safe and secure world together, whilst working on projects that are truly unique?

The Royal Navy rely on our engineering, project management and digital teams to keep their submarines at sea and submariners safe. They Protect our Nation and we help to Protect them.

At Babcock we have a true culture of opportunity - with business contracts that last decades and structured career development pathways that can take you in all kinds of directions; you will grow, develop, and achieve more than you ever thought possible. There has never been a better time for you to join Babcock Submarine Support and play your part in protecting the protectors.

The Role

As a Principal Cost Specialist, you'll be at the forefront of delivering cost management excellence across our Naval Nuclear portfolio. Working on complex, high-profile programmes that support national defence, you'll provide strategic leadership, expert insight and governance across cost estimating, budgeting, forecasting and performance management.

This is a unique opportunity to influence major programme delivery, shape cost management standards across a large organisation and work with senior leaders to support critical decision-making. You'll play a key role in helping Babcock deliver some of the UK's most important defence and engineering programmes, while developing your own leadership and professional expertise within a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.

What you’ll do:

• Lead cost management activities across the Naval Nuclear portfolio, acting as the recognised subject matter expert for cost management best practice.
• Develop, maintain and continuously improve cost management frameworks, standards, methodologies, governance processes and toolsets.
• Analyse complex cost and performance data, identifying trends, risks and opportunities to support informed decision-making.
• Establish consistent approaches to estimating, budgeting, forecasting, cost control, change management and financial performance reporting.
• Coach and mentor cost specialists, project controls professionals and delivery teams to strengthen capability across the organisation.

What you’ll need:

• Extensive experience leading cost management activities within complex portfolios, major programmes or enterprise delivery environments.
• Experience developing and implementing cost management frameworks, governance arrangements and control methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of portfolio governance, programme delivery frameworks and organisational assurance requirements.
• Expert understanding of cost forecasting, budgeting, cost control, change management and financial performance analysis.
• Experience coaching, mentoring and developing professional capability within project controls or cost management functions

We value difference and don't have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can demonstrate relatable experience and a great attitude then we would like to hear from you.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be a sole UK National who is able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Our Benefits

We offer you fantastic total rewards, and the ability to have real flexibility - including working from home up to 3 days a week, and a '9 day fortnight' working pattern. It's what sits at the heart of our fantastic and friendly environment, where you'll feel truly welcome.

• Generous holiday allowance of 25 days plus bank holidays
• Contributory Pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave

Babcock International

For over a century Babcock International has helped to defend nations, protect communities, and build a better world. To continue, we must adapt, advance and be a sustainable business with a shared goal.

If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please let us know. We are committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone's free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working - please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

Closing Date: 03/11/2026

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