Project Cost Specialist

ETS-Lindgren GmbH; Rugeley; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

ESCO Maritime Solutions, based in Rugeley, is forming a PMO and seeks a Project Cost Specialist to standardise cost management across programmes, developing templates, tools and processes to improve forecasting and decision-making.

Reporting into the SME team within the PMO, you will own cost status, forecasts, and cost methodologies, and collaborate with Project Managers, Finance, Planning and Procurement to enable delivery.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years’ experience in project cost management, project controls, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong analytical and numerical capability with ability to interpret and explain complex cost information.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• High proficiency in cost management tools and advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Working knowledge of ERP systems and cost tracking software.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and improve project cost management processes including estimating, budgeting, forecasting and cost control.
• Produce clear, credible cost forecasts such as Estimates at Completion (EAC).
• Design, develop, and maintain standardised cost tools, templates, and dashboards for stakeholders.
• Partner with project teams to support financial planning, scenario analysis, and cost-based decision making.
• Validate invoices and manage cost allocations with Finance and Procurement teams.
• Reconcile costs across bids, budgets, baselines, forecasts, and cost statements.

Skills

Project cost management

Tools

ERP systems (IFS / SAP)

MS Project

Jira

Job description

ESCO Maritime Solutions, based in Rugeley, has an exciting opportunity for a Project Cost Specialist to join our newly formed Project Management Office (PMO).

In this newly created position, you will apply your subject matter expertise in project cost management to help shape how cost management is standardised and deployed across our programmes. This includes developing, maintaining, and embedding consistent cost templates, tools, and processes that enable better insight, improved forecasting, and stronger decision‑making.

The role works collaboratively with Project Managers, Programme Managers, Finance, Planning, and Procurement teams—focusing on enabling delivery, improving outcomes, and providing high‑quality cost intelligence rather than enforcing compliance. It is a key opportunity to influence best practice and support the successful delivery of our growing portfolio of projects.

Role Purpose

The Project Cost Specialist provides subject matter expertise in project cost management to support the ESCO Programme teams. The role delivers high‑quality cost insight, management information, and forward‑looking forecasts that enable informed decision‑making and successful programme delivery.

Operating within the ESCO Project Management Office (PMO), the role forms part of the Subject Matter Expert (SME) team and holds ownership of cost status, forecasts, and cost management methodologies across assigned programmes. This includes developing, maintaining, and deploying standardised cost templates, tools, and approaches.

The Project Cost Specialist contributes to internal programme reviews, senior leadership reporting, and customer reviews. Project and Programme Managers use outputs to lead discussions, manage risk, and drive decisions. The role works in close partnership with Project Managers, Programme Managers, Finance, Planning, and Procurement teams—focused on enabling delivery and improving outcomes rather than enforcing compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Management & Forecasting

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve project cost management processes to support robust estimating, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control, aligned to organisational policies and maturity objectives.
• Monitor and track actual costs against approved budgets, identifying variances, trends, and root causes, and recommending corrective actions.
• Produce clear, credible, and timely cost forecasts, including Estimates at Completion (EAC), based on actuals, commitments, trends, and identified risks.

Forecasting Scope

• Clear articulation of cost risks, opportunities, assumptions, and confidence levels.

Reporting & Tools

• Design, develop, and maintain standardised cost tools, templates, and dashboards to support consistent, accurate, and insightful reporting for a range of stakeholders.
• Provide high‑quality cost inputs into programme reviews, governance forums, senior leadership reporting, and customer‑facing updates.

Business Partnering & Decision Support

• Act as a trusted cost management partner to programme teams, supporting financial planning, scenario analysis, and cost‑based decision‑making.
• Perform cost risk analysis and scenario modelling to support proactive management of financial exposure and contingency.
• Support the embedding of effective cost control disciplines across programmes through coaching, guidance, and pragmatic application.
• Work closely with Finance and Procurement teams to validate invoices, manage cost allocations, and ensure accurate and timely cost capture.
• Support reconciliation of costs across bids, approved budgets, baselines, forecasts, and customer cost statements.
• Strong analytical and numerical capability, with the ability to interpret, challenge, and clearly explain complex cost information.
• High proficiency in cost management tools and advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Sound understanding of project management principles and core financial concepts.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence and collaborate at all levels.
• Strong attention to detail, combined with the ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities to tight deadlines.
• A collaborative, solutions‑focused mindset with a strong customer and delivery orientation.
• 3–5 years’ experience in project cost management, project controls, or a closely related discipline.
• Working knowledge of ERP systems and cost tracking / cost control software.
• Experience working across integrated delivery and control toolsets such as IFS (or equivalent ERP systems, e.g. SAP), MS Project, and Jira.
• Proven ability to reconcile and assure cost data across bids, approved budgets, baselines, forecasts, and customer cost statements.
• Experience supporting large, complex programmes or portfolios in a matrix environment.

Note: All candidates must meet the security vetting requirements relevant to the role. For reasons of national security, applicants must be British nationals. Dual nationals may be permitted in exceptional circumstances.