Programme Controls Lead

Alexander Associates; England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the UK utilities sector is seeking a Programme Controls Lead for a contract role. The successful candidate will oversee project controls within crucial infrastructure projects, managing teams and ensuring compliance with NEC contracts. Immediate impact on project governance and delivery is expected in this robust role.

Qualifications

• Advanced-level Primavera P6 training.
• Proven experience in project controls and change management.
• Strong understanding of NEC contracts and project governance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and enforce programme controls best practice across teams.
• Manage integration of project controls from planning to completion.
• Lead a controls team, ensuring high performance through KPIs.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Project controls

Change control

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Degree in Quantity Surveying

Tools

Primavera P6

Job description

Job Title: Programme Controls Lead
Location: Kent (commutable or hybrid options considered)
Contract Type: Contract 6 Months
Day Rate: £500 per day (Outside IR35)
Sector: Utilities / Infrastructure / Civil Engineering

We are recruiting on behalf of a major UK water industry client for an experienced Programme Controls Lead. This is a critical role supporting the planning, governance, and delivery of high-value, multi-disciplinary capital works programmes.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and enforce programme controls best practice across engineering and contractor teams.
• Manage integration of project controls from asset planning through delivery to contract completion.
• Oversee NEC3/4 contract compliance related to project controls and change management.
• Lead a controls team, ensuring high performance through coaching, reporting, and clear KPIs.
• Extract meaningful insights and reports from Primavera P6, ensuring clean data inputs/outputs.
• Deliver accurate monthly reports and risk-based forecasts.
• Conduct safety visits and contribute to H&S observations and planning.
• Drive innovation in systems, controls, and tools to enhance programme visibility and outcomes.

Essential Requirements:

• Advanced-level Primavera P6 training.
• Degree in Civil Engineering or Quantity Surveying.
• Proven experience in project controls, earned value, VOWD, and change control.
• Strong understanding of NEC contracts, construction reporting, and project governance.
• Excellent team leadership, analytical, and communication skills.

Desirable:

• Team or project management qualifications (e.g., APM, PRINCE2, ILM).
• Demonstrated success leading project controls in regulated infrastructure environments.

This is a contract role with immediate impact. If you have a strong background in infrastructure and want to lead a critical controls team in the UK water industry, apply today.