Senior Cost Specialist

Progressive; England; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Progressive is seeking an experienced Cost Engineer to join a major programme based in Berkshire. You will handle cost planning, control, forecasting and reporting, ensuring projects stay within budgets and contractual requirements.

You will develop budgets, monitor costs, produce EACs and perform variance analyses, while managing risk, contingencies and change control within a nuclear/defence environment. 3 days on-site and 2 days remote work pattern applies.

Qualifications

• Develop and maintain baseline budgets and CBS.
• Produce EACs, variance analysis and financial reports.
• Deliver EVM reporting and performance measurement.
• Manage cost risk, contingencies and change control.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain project baseline budgets, CBS and control account plans.
• Monitor actual costs, commitments, accruals and forecasts.
• Produce EACs, variance analysis and financial performance reports.
• Deliver EVM reporting and performance measurement.
• Manage cost risk, contingency allowances and change control processes.
• Support project reviews, governance reporting and stakeholder decisions.
• Ensure alignment between schedules, cost plans and contracts.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of project controls.

Skills

Cost estimation

Cost control

Forecasting

EVM (Earned Value Management)

Budget planning

Risk management

Change management

Financial reporting

Project controls

Education

HNC in Cost Engineering

Degree in Cost/Engineering/Construction

ECITB Level 5 Diploma in Cost Engineering

ACostE/APM/RICS membership

Tools

ERP systems

Project management systems

Job description

Location: Berkshire
Duration: 26 Weeks
Start: ASAP (subject to clearance)
IR35: Inside IR35

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Cost Engineer to join a major programme based in Berkshire. Working within the Project Controls team, you will be responsible for cost planning, cost control, forecasting, change management, risk management and financial reporting, helping ensure projects are delivered within approved budgets and contractual requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain project baseline budgets, cost breakdown structures (CBS) and control account plans.
• Monitor actual costs, commitments, accruals and forecasts.
• Produce Estimates at Completion (EACs), variance analysis and financial performance reports.
• Deliver Earned Value Management (EVM) reporting and performance measurement.
• Manage cost risk, contingency allowances and change control processes.
• Support project reviews, governance reporting and stakeholder decision-making.
• Ensure alignment between project schedules, cost plans and contractual requirements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of project controls processes and reporting systems.
• Proven experience in Cost Engineering, Cost Control, Project Controls or Quantity Surveying.
• Experience managing project budgets, forecasts and financial performance reporting on major projects.
• Strong Earned Value Management (EVM) knowledge.
• Experience with cost risk management, contingency control and change management.
• Strong understanding of the full project lifecycle.
• Excellent analytical, reporting and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience within Nuclear, Defence, Infrastructure, Construction or Energy sectors.
• Knowledge of NEC, FIDIC, JCT or similar contract forms.
• Experience with quantitative risk analysis and cost modelling.
• Familiarity with ERP and project management systems.

Qualifications

• HNC (or equivalent) in Cost Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Construction Management or related discipline.
• Degree in a relevant subject.
• ECITB Level 5 Diploma (or equivalent) in Cost Engineering.
• Professional membership such as ACostE, APM or RICS.

Clearance & Requirements

• Must be eligible for SC Clearance.
• Candidates may start on BPSS, provided SC clearance is in progress.
• Must have lived and worked in the UK continuously for the last 5 years.
• CSCS/ECS card required prior to start.

Working Pattern

• 3 days per week on site (Thurs / Fri / Monday) and 2 days remote
• Capped as 12 on site, 9 remote
• 11 shifts on, 3 shifts off.

Additional Benefits

• Workers travelling more than 30 miles to site will receive: