Project Controls Manager

AtkinsRéalis; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking an experienced Project Controls Manager to lead across major commissions in the UK. You will oversee cost management, planning and scheduling, risk and change control, and governance to ensure delivery against cost, schedule and performance objectives.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, promote data-driven decision making, and collaborate with clients, senior stakeholders and project directors to optimise project performance and reporting.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering project controls on major infrastructure, engineering or construction programmes.
• Strong planning, scheduling, cost management and risk management disciplines.
• Proven leadership in a Project Controls/Programme Controls role.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Understanding of project governance frameworks and assurance requirements.
• Familiarity with NEC contracts and UK construction standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage project controls teams across multiple projects and programmes.
• Establish integrated project schedules and baselines with milestones.
• Develop budgets, forecasts, cost control processes and EV reporting.
• Identify risks, opportunities and mitigation strategies.
• Present performance updates to clients and executive teams.
• Support governance forums and change control processes.

Skills

Leadership

Planning & Scheduling

Cost Management

Risk Management

Change Control

Governance

Stakeholder Management

Data Analytics

Project Controls Software

NEC Contracts knowledge

Education

Degree qualification or equivalent professional experience

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

Power BI

Cost Tools

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Project Controls Manager to lead the delivery of integrated project controls services across major commissions, supporting programme certainty, informed decision-making and successful project outcomes. The successful candidate will provide leadership across cost management, planning and scheduling, risk management, change control, performance reporting and governance while working closely with clients, project teams and senior stakeholders. Role Summary The Project Controls Manager is responsible for establishing, leading and continuously improving project controls functions across one or more projects or programmes. The role ensures robust planning, performance management, forecasting and governance processes are implemented to support successful delivery against cost, schedule and performance objectives. You will act as a trusted advisor to project and programme leadership, providing timely insight, challenge and assurance to support strategic and operational decision making.Your role Project Controls Leadership

• Lead and manage project controls teams across multiple projects and programmes. Develop high-performing teams through coaching, mentoring and professional development.
• Drive excellence and consistency in the application of project controls processes, tools and methodologies.
• Foster collaboration across planning, cost management, risk, change, reporting and commercial functions.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and data-driven decision making.

Planning and Scheduling

• Establish and maintain integrated project schedules and programme controls frameworks.
• Oversee development of baseline schedules, critical path analysis and delivery milestones.
• Monitor progress against plans and provide early warning of emerging schedule risks.
• Ensure programme performance metrics accurately reflect current delivery status.
• Support recovery planning and schedule optimisation initiatives where required.

Cost Management and Forecasting

• Develop and manage project budgets, forecasts and cost control processes.
• Monitor project expenditure and assess cost performance against approved baselines.
• Lead cost reporting, earned value management and forecast accuracy improvements.
• Provide robust analysis of project trends, opportunities and potential cost pressures.
• Support strategic financial planning and investment decisions.

Risk and Opportunity Management

• Establish and maintain project risk and opportunity management processes.
• Facilitate risk identification, assessment, mitigation and monitoring activities.
• Ensure risk information is integrated into cost and schedule forecasts.
• Support project and programme leadership in developing effective mitigation strategies.
• Promote proactive management of emerging project threats and opportunities.

Change Control and Governance

• Lead the implementation and management of change control processes.
• Assess impacts associated with scope, schedule and budget changes.
• Ensure all changes are appropriately evaluated, documented and approved.
• Monitor cumulative change impacts and maintain alignment with project objectives.
• Support governance forums and change approval boards.

Performance Reporting and Analytics

• Produce and oversee high-quality project controls reporting and dashboards.
• Analyse project performance data to identify trends, risks and opportunities.
• Transform complex project information into clear and actionable insights for stakeholders.
• Present performance updates to clients, project directors and executive leadership teams.
• Drive the use of digital tools and data analytics to enhance project visibility.

Stakeholder and Client Management

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, suppliers, contractors and key stakeholders.
• Act as the principal point of contact for project controls matters. Support client assurance activities, audits and reviews.
• Provide strategic project controls advice to senior management and programme leadership.
• Develop trusted partnerships that contribute to successful project delivery.

Assurance, Compliance and Controls

• Ensure compliance with AtkinsRéalis standards, client requirements and industry best practice. Support project audits, governance reviews and assurance activities.
• Maintain robust project controls documentation and records. Ensure adherence to relevant regulatory and contractual requirements.
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of organisational project controls capability.

Qualifications

• Degree qualification or equivalent professional experience APM, PMP, PRINCE2 Practitioner, or equivalent certification.
• Experience delivering project controls services on major infrastructure, engineering or construction programmes, Extensive knowledge of planning, scheduling, cost management, risk management and change control disciplines.
• Proven experience in a Project Controls Manager, Senior Project Controls Manager or Programme Controls role.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills Leadership experience in managing cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management experience Experience in project performance reporting and forecasting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Understanding of project governance frameworks and assurance requirements.
• Familiarity with NEC contracts and UK construction standards.
• Strategic thinking and attention to detail.
• Ability to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in project controls software (e.g., Primavera P6, MS Project, cost tools)
• Adaptability and high ethical standards.
• Commitment to continuous improvement.
• Advanced MS Excel skills.
• Experience within rail, nuclear, defence, transportation or major capital projects.
• Working knowledge of NEC contracts and commercial management principles.
• Experience of integrated earned value management approaches.
• Excellent knowledge of Primavera P6, Power BI, Microsoft Project and enterprise reporting systems.
• Familiarity with BIM, digital delivery and data analytics environments.
• Professional membership of APM, ACostE, ICE or similar institutions.
• Project Controls accreditation or equivalent professional certification.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.