Project Controls Manager

United Utilities; Clayton-le-Woods; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Bonus up to 20%

£5,000 car allowance

Company-funded healthcare

Pension with employer contribution

Job summary

United Utilities is seeking an experienced Project Controls Manager to join our PMO and lead a team delivering controls across major capital programmes in the North West. You will integrate planning, cost, risk and change management, coordinating schedules with budgets and forecasts to support informed decision-making at senior levels.

You will develop robust governance, manage interfaces, drive improvements, and provide insightful performance reporting through KPI dashboards and Power BI.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in a relevant discipline or equivalent professional experience.
• MAPM, AcostE or other recognised Project Management or Project Controls qualification.
• Significant experience in project controls, programme controls or programme delivery.
• Strong understanding of project controls best practice, including planning, cost, risk and change management.
• Experience leading and developing project controls teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and financial management capability.
• Experience producing executive-level reports and performance insights.
• Excellent technical skills and knowledge of project controls systems such as Primavera P6, SAP and cost management tools.
• Experience using Power BI to manage and communicate performance information.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of integrated project controls across capital programmes.
• Establish and maintain robust project control frameworks, processes and governance arrangements.
• Develop programme structures including WBS, CBS, OBS and RBS.
• Ensure alignment between schedules, budgets, forecasts and programme objectives.
• Review and assure contractor and internal plans against programme requirements.
• Monitor progress, performance and forecasts, providing insight to senior stakeholders.
• Manage programme-wide resource planning and reporting.
• Develop and maintain KPI dashboards and performance reporting.
• Lead risk, opportunity and issue management processes.
• Manage programme change control and ensure governance compliance.

Skills

Project controls leadership

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Financial management

Communication skills

Education

Degree in a relevant discipline

MAPM/ACostE or equivalent

Tools

Primavera P6

SAP

Power BI

Cost management tools

Job description

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Project Controls Manager to join our PMO team and play a pivotal role in the successful delivery of one of our major Programmes.

Reporting within the PMO function, you will lead a team of Project Controls professionals and ensure the effective integration of planning, cost management, risk, change, reporting and governance activities across the programme. You will provide senior leaders with clear, accurate and timely performance information to support informed decision-making and successful project delivery.

Our PMO vision is to act as the intelligent Sat Nav for our capital projects and programmes, providing clarity, insight and direction so teams can make informed decisions at the right time.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence the delivery of critical infrastructure investment that will benefit customers and communities across the North West.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the delivery of integrated project controls across various capital programmes.
• Establish and maintain robust project control frameworks, processes and governance arrangements.
• Develop and manage programme structures including WBS, CBS, OBS and RBS.
• Ensure alignment between schedules, budgets, forecasts and programme objectives.
• Review and assure contractor and internal plans against programme requirements.
• Monitor progress, performance and forecasts, providing insight and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Manage programme-wide resource planning and reporting.
• Develop and maintain KPI dashboards and performance reporting.
• Lead risk, opportunity and issue management processes.
• Manage programme change control and ensure compliance with governance requirements.
• Manage programme interfaces and dependencies to support successful delivery.
• Track and report on contingency utilisation and forecast requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement of project controls processes, systems and team capability.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a collaborative and commercially aware Project Controls professional with experience of leading controls functions within complex programmes or major projects.

• Degree-qualified in a relevant discipline or equivalent professional experience.
• MAPM, AcostE or other recognised Project Management or Project Controls qualification.
• Significant experience in project controls, programme controls or programme delivery.
• Strong understanding of project controls best practice, including planning, cost, risk and change management.
• Experience leading and developing project controls teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and financial management capability.
• Experience producing executive-level reports and performance insights.
• Excellent technical skills and knowledge of project controls systems such as Primavera P6, SAP and cost management tools.
• Experience using Power BI to manage and communicate performance information.

• Experience within utilities, infrastructure or major capital delivery environments.
• Knowledge of quantitative risk analysis and risk modelling techniques.
• Experience implementing process improvements and developing organisational capability.

Why Join Us?

In return, we offer:

• 26 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after four years' service, plus bank holidays.
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover.
• Up to 20% performance-related bonus.
• £5,000 car allowance.
• Company-funded healthcare scheme.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.

About United Utilities

At United Utilities, our purpose is to deliver high-quality water services for a greener, healthier and more prosperous North West.

We're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive, develop and be themselves. Through investment in our people, infrastructure and communities, we're building a sustainable future while delivering essential services to millions of customers every day.

Join us and help shape the future of water services across the North West.