Senior Programme Controls Lead for Major Capital Projects

Darwin Hawkins; Dublin; On-site; EUR 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Hawkins is seeking a Head of Programme Controls in Dublin North to lead a major infrastructure and capital projects portfolio. You will shape controls across cost, scheduling, risk and reporting, guiding senior leadership and boards.

You will manage a multidisciplinary team, set standards, and drive financial governance and delivery across a €3bn programme. The role demands strategic insight and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• 15+ years' experience working on complex construction, infrastructure or major capital investment programmes.
• Strong commercial background with extensive experience in cost management, programme controls, financial governance and project delivery.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams across large-scale, high-value projects and programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Programme Controls function, establishing consistent processes and standards across cost, scheduling, risk and reporting.
• Oversee cost management strategies, financial controls, estimating and benchmarking, ensuring effective management of capital expenditure and value for money.
• Lead the development and oversight of integrated project schedules, ensuring realistic timelines, resource planning and alignment with capital investment priorities.
• Establish and oversee portfolio-wide risk and contingency management frameworks, including quantified cost and schedule risk analysis.
• Work closely with senior leadership and programme boards, providing commercial insights and recommendations to support major investment decisions.
• Play a central role in annual capital budgeting, expenditure monitoring and future capital investment planning.
• Drive improvements in portfolio reporting, data quality and performance monitoring, ensuring accurate and transparent information across the programme.
• Build, mentor and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary team of cost, scheduling, risk and programme controls professionals.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Stakeholder management

Cost management scheduling risk and"

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying or Engineering or Schedule Management

Professional membership (SCSI, RICS) advantageous

Tools

Cost forecasting tools

Scheduling software (MS Project/Primavera)

Job description

Darwin Hawkins is seeking a Head of Programme Controls in Dublin North to lead a major infrastructure and capital projects portfolio. You will shape controls across cost, scheduling, risk and reporting, guiding senior leadership and boards.

You will manage a multidisciplinary team, set standards, and drive financial governance and delivery across a €3bn programme. The role demands strategic insight and operational excellence.