Project Cost Controller Manager - Defence

Turner & Townsend; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive packages

Lifelong learning and development

Supportive culture

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is looking for a Cost Controller to join our Defence South East team in London. You will manage cost control and performance services across high-profile projects, collaborating with project teams in a hybrid working environment.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience in cost management and project controls within complex infrastructures. This role offers exposure to significant national projects and the opportunity to impact the defence landscape positively.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in cost control and project controls within complex projects.
• Strong understanding of cost management principles.
• Ability to build and maintain trusted advisor relationships with clients.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with project delivery teams to ensure effective cost control.
• Implement and maintain cost control systems for project budgets and forecasts.
• Develop and maintain cost tracking tools and provide regular cost reports.

Skills

Cost control

Project controls

Budgeting

Forecasting

Accruals

Earned Value Management (EVM)

Microsoft Excel

Education

Degree in a relevant technical, engineering, or management discipline

Tools

ECOSYS

PRISM

COBRA

Job description

At Turner & Townsend, we are committed to helping you thrive — both professionally and personally. Our culture is founded on trust, flexibility and the belief that people perform at their best when they feel supported and empowered.

We are united by a core principle: making the difference matters. Joining us means becoming part of a purpose‑driven organisation where diverse expertise comes together to serve, support and protect those who serve and protect us.

From your first day, you will be exposed to unique and complex environments. You will contribute to programmes across air, land, sea, cyber and space, gaining experience that strengthens your capability and advances your career. You will work alongside leading professionals in the defence, aerospace and security sectors, all aligned to a shared vision of being the premier international partner in our field.

As part of our growing team, you will play a vital role in supporting clients to deliver major programmes that enhance national capability and transform the defence landscape. You will be based from your local office, working in a hybrid model and collaborating with colleagues and client teams across the UK.

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Cost Controller (Project Controls Engineer Grade) to join our growing Defence South East team. You’ll play a key role in delivering cost control and performance management services across a portfolio of high‑profile projects and programmes. This is a dynamic and rewarding role that offers you the opportunity to work at the forefront of UK Defence.

Key Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with project delivery teams as part of a wider cost control function, or independently with support from experienced cost professionals.
• Implement, administer, and maintain cost control systems and procedures to monitor project budgets, commitments, expenditures, and forecasts.
• Support the development and maintenance of a robust, integrated Performance Measurement Baseline (PMB) in collaboration with the Integrated Project Team, ensuring alignment with the change control process.
• Assist in the creation of Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS) and align time‑phased budgets with the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to enable accurate cost tracking and control.
• Prepare accruals to ensure timely and accurate reflection of the Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP) in project cost data.
• Develop and maintain cost tracking tools as needed, and generate regular cost reports, including Earned Value Analysis (EVA) to assess project performance.
• Provide cost input to support the development of Change Requests, participate in change control boards, and integrate approved changes into the project baseline.
• Update project forecasts to maintain an accurate and comprehensive Estimate to Complete (ETC).
• Deliver timely and accurate cost information to support project status reporting, performance management, and informed decision‑making by project leadership.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in cost control and project controls within complex, large‑scale infrastructure or Defence sector programmes.
• Strong understanding of cost management principles, including budgeting, forecasting, accruals, earned value management (EVM), and cost performance analysis.
• Proven ability to build and maintain trusted advisor relationships with clients, contributing to long‑term partnerships and repeat business.
• Experience coordinating contractors, consultants, and advisors across multiple, concurrent projects, ensuring alignment and delivery against programme objectives.
• Practical experience using Microsoft Excel and other MS Office applications for cost tracking, analysis, and reporting.
• Proficiency in Cost Management tools and software, such as ECOSYS, PRISM, COBRA or similar platforms.
• Awareness of how cost control integrates with other project controls disciplines, including scheduling, risk management, reporting, and change control, and the ability to collaborate effectively across these functions.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working with UK Government departments and agencies, particularly on complex infrastructure or capital investment programmes.
• Proven ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary project teams, fostering collaboration and delivering successful outcomes through strategic direction and influence.
• Broader project management expertise, including change management, stakeholder engagement, and governance across the project lifecycle.

Security Clearance & Travel Requirements

Must hold, or be eligible to obtain, UK Ministry of Defence Security Clearance (SC or higher); UK passport required.

• Degree qualified in a relevant technical, engineering, or management discipline, or possess equivalent professional qualifications and demonstrable experience in Cost Control.
• Membership of a recognised professional body such as the Association for Project Management (APM) or Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
• A UK driving licence or the ability to travel to client sites across the region as required is essential.

Hybrid Working

We embrace a hybrid approach to work, meaning you may collaborate with colleagues from your home, a Turner & Townsend office, or client sites across the region on a weekly basis. You will need to travel to client sites when required, typically 2–3 days per week.

Your Growth & Wellbeing

• Competitive packages with a range of benefits that are reviewed every year.
• Meaningful, high impact work.
• Lifelong learning and development.
• A supportive, people‑focused culture.
• Recognition for your contribution.

Additional Information

SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time. Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted through our website or to Turner & Townsend personal e‑mail accounts are considered property of Turner & Townsend and are not subject to payment of agency fees. To be an authorised Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Turner & Townsend, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by the Recruitment Team, to submit candidates for review.