Portfolio Cost Performance Leader

Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail; Dublin; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail is seeking a senior Portfolio Construction Cost Manager to lead the development of a portfolio‑wide cost performance framework across the Capital Investments programme. You will establish systems, dashboards and governance to provide senior leadership with timely insights on financial performance and ensure consistency across all projects.

The role requires extensive experience in cost performance management, strong analytical skills, and the ability to drive assurance

Qualifications

• 15 years’ experience in cost performance management, project controls, financial analysis, or commercial management within major infrastructure or capital project environments.
• Strong understanding of cost reporting, forecasting, variance analysis and portfolio‑level performance management.
• Proven ability to design and implement systems, processes and governance frameworks for cost performance.
• Excellent analytical skills with ability to translate complex data into clear insights for senior stakeholders.
• Experience leading assurance activities and improving data quality across large programmes.
• Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and build capability across multidisciplinary teams.
• Professional accreditation (ACostE, AACE, RICS, PMI, or equivalent).
• Experience working within a publicly funded or regulated environment.
• Familiarity with the Public Spending Code, Infrastructure Guidelines and NTA Cost Management Guidelines.
• Experience with digital project controls platforms and portfolio reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a unified framework for monitoring, analysing and reporting cost performance across all capital projects and programmes.
• Establish consistent definitions, metrics and reporting standards for cost versus budget performance, including forecasting, variances, trends and cost‑to‑complete.
• Lead the production of portfolio‑level cost performance reports, dashboards, and insights for senior leadership, governance boards and approving authorities.
• Identify systemic cost performance issues, emerging risks and opportunities for efficiency across the portfolio.
• Design and implement the systems, tools, and data structures required to capture cost performance information consistently and accurately.
• Work closely with Programme Controls, Finance and IT to integrate cost performance data into wider project controls and financial systems.
• Develop standardised templates, guidance materials and reporting protocols for project teams.
• Ensure data quality, completeness and traceability across all cost performance reporting.
• Establish and lead a robust assurance regime to verify the accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of cost reporting across the portfolio.
• Conduct periodic reviews, audits and deep‑dives into project cost performance, ensuring compliance with Irish Rail governance, the Public Spending Code, Infrastructure Guidelines and NTA requirements where applicable.
• Provide senior leadership with clear assessments of cost performance reliability and areas requiring corrective action.
• Support continuous improvement by embedding lessons learned and strengthening controls.
• Lead the development of forecasting methodologies and tools that improve predictability of outturn costs.
• Analyse cost trends, variances and performance drivers across the portfolio to support strategic decision‑making.
• Provide evidence‑based recommendations to improve cost performance, mitigate risks and enhance value for money.
• Work with project teams to strengthen the quality of cost forecasts and ensure alignment with portfolio‑level expectations.
• Provide leadership and direction to project and programme teams on cost performance management best practice.
• Build organisational capability through training, coaching and knowledge‑sharing on cost reporting, forecasting and analysis.
• Foster a culture of transparency, accountability and proactive cost management across the Capital Investments function.
• Represent Irish Rail in cross‑agency working groups, industry forums, and engagements with external partners and approving authorities.

Skills

Cost performance management

Project controls

Financial analysis

Stakeholder management

Education

ACostE/AACE/RICS/PMI accreditation

Tools

Digital project controls platforms

Job description

Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail is seeking a senior Portfolio Construction Cost Manager to lead the development of a portfolio‑wide cost performance framework across the Capital Investments programme. You will establish systems, dashboards and governance to provide senior leadership with timely insights on financial performance and ensure consistency across all projects.

The role requires extensive experience in cost performance management, strong analytical skills, and the ability to drive assurance