Project Controls Lead

Copello Global; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Defence technology firm is seeking a Project Controls Lead to oversee the project controls team and ensure effective project management across all controls. Candidates should have significant experience in project controls, particularly in regulated industries, and be expert users of tools like Primavera P6 and Deltek Cobra. The role emphasizes continuous improvement, compliance, and training within a team environment.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in managing project controls throughout the project lifecycle.
• Strong awareness of commercial operations and prime contract experience.
• Expert user of EVMS processes and financial systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor project controls team to foster excellence.
• Drive improvements in scheduling, estimating, and cost control.
• Ensure compliance with project controls standards and governance.

Skills

Project Controls

Planning

Cost Management

EVMS processes

Oracle Primavera P6

Tools

Primavera P6

Deltek Cobra

Job description

Copello are supporting a Defence technology client in their search for a Project Controls Lead. As a Project Controls Lead you will be responsible for overseeing the project controls team, ensuring the operating of effective project controls across the entire portfolio.

You will be responsible for fostering a culture of excellence within the project controls team and implementing robust project controls to mitigate risks, enhance profitability, and ensure successful project delivery. You will shape and embed departmental procedures to ensure the maintenance, execution and control of project performance measurement baselines within a robust project controls environment to ensure delivery of best value to our customers.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and mentor a talented project controls team—fostering collaboration, growth, and excellence.
• Drive continuous improvement across all project controls disciplines, including scheduling, estimating, cost control, resourcing, and performance reporting.
• Champion the application of EVMS (ANSI / APM standards preferred) and ensure consistent performance measurement.
• Utilise advanced expertise in Primavera P6, Deltek Cobra, and ERP systems to assure high-quality project controls outputs.
• Ensure compliance with project controls standards and governance across all programmes.
• Support bid activity with credible, robust plans, estimates and risk assessments.
• Engage confidently with senior leaders, customers, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Provide training, coaching, and support to develop capability across the wider project community.

We are looking for

• Significant, demonstrable Project Controls, Planning and / or Cost Management experience in the defence or other regulated industry, managing controls throughout the entire project lifecycle.
• Strong awareness of commercial operations, and / or prime contract experience with, ideally in a SSRO QSC / CAAS reporting environment
• Expert knowledge and application of EVMS processes within an EVM system.
• Expert user of Oracle Primavera P6.
• Significant experience using cost management and finance systems
• A strong disposition for professionally maintaining project-wide adherence and compliance to processes, and procedures, sometimes in the face of adversity
• Providing training and / or mentoring within a cohesive team environment