Project Controls Lead

Aldwych Consulting; Hythe; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Career progression

Major infrastructure exposure

Supportive environment

Job summary

Aldwych Consulting is seeking a Head of Project Controls/Project Controls Lead for major civil engineering schemes across the UK. You will own planning, scheduling and performance management with real-world delivery insights.

This hands-on role requires site-based experience, ability to translate production rates into robust programmes and to challenge unrealistic assumptions.

Join a contractor delivering complex infrastructure and shape projects through trusted forecasting and risk mitigation.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Site Engineer/Project Engineer in civil engineering.
• Ability to develop programmes from first principles based on practical site knowledge.
• Strong understanding of construction methodologies, sequencing and temporary works.

Responsibilities

• Developing and maintaining detailed construction programmes from first principles.
• Producing realistic activity durations, sequencing, methods and logic based on practical site knowledge.
• Carrying out take-offs and resource assessments grounded in actual production rates.
• Leading progress measurement, performance tracking and early identification of delays or opportunities.
• Working with engineers, commercial teams and project managers to ensure accurate reporting and forecasting.
• Supporting change management, compensation events and scenario planning.
• Providing clear, evidence-based advice on programme risk, mitigation and recovery.
• Ensuring project controls processes are consistent, transparent and aligned with contractual requirements.

Skills

Site engineering

Project controls

Scheduling

Primavera P6

Cost forecasting

Risk management

Tools

Primavera P6

Job description

Are you a Head of Project Controls/Project Controls Lead looking join a leading civil engineering contractor delivering complex infrastructure projects across the UK. This role is ideal for someone with a strong site background who understands how jobs are really built, and can translate that knowledge into robust, realistic and defensible project controls.

If you know production rates because we've physically delivered the work, you understand how long earthworks, drainage, concrete pours, piling, structures or utilities actually take to build, and you can develop programmes from first principles rather than relying on historic assumptions, your real site experience will genuinely set you apart in this role.

The Role

As Project Controls Lead, you will take ownership of planning, scheduling and performance management across major civil engineering schemes. You'll work closely with project teams to ensure programmes, cost forecasts and reporting reflect real-world delivery conditions, not theoretical models.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and maintaining detailed construction programmes from first principles
• Producing realistic activity durations, sequencing, methods and logic based on practical site knowledge
• Carrying out take-offs and resource assessments grounded in actual production rates
• Leading progress measurement, performance tracking and early identification of delays or opportunities
• Working with engineers, commercial teams and project managers to ensure accurate reporting and forecasting
• Supporting change management, compensation events and scenario planning
• Providing clear, evidence-based advice on programme risk, mitigation and recovery
• Ensuring project controls processes are consistent, transparent and aligned with contractual requirements
• This is a hands-on role where your operational background is essential.

About You

We're looking for someone who brings genuine delivery experience and can apply it to front-end project controls.

• A background as a Site Engineer, Section Engineer, Sub Agent or Project Engineer in civil engineering
• Strong understanding of construction methodologies, sequencing, temporary works and buildability
• Ability to take off from first principles and develop programmes without relying on templates
• Realistic appreciation of production rates, constraints and site logistics
• Experience in planning, project controls or scheduling (Primavera P6 or similar beneficial)
• Strong analytical skills and confidence in challenging unrealistic assumptions
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to site when required

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Car or car allowance
• Opportunities to progress into senior project controls, planning or project leadership roles
• Exposure to major infrastructure projects and strategic business planning
• A supportive environment that values practical engineering experience over theoretical planning

Who This Role Suits

This role is perfect for someone who has built jobs, understands the realities of civil engineering delivery, and wants to step into a role where that experience shapes how projects are planned, monitored and controlled.

This is an excellent career growth opportunity!

Aldwych Consulting values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.