Senior Cost Engineer - Project Controls - Energy Projects

Company Description

At Turner & Townsend we’re passionate about making the difference – we are committed to delivering Sustainable Net Zero outcomes for our clients, helping our people to realize their potential, and doing our part to create a prosperous society. 

The world is changing, and we have a responsibility to support that change, helping drive it and be part of it. 

Through the commitment, capability and care our team brings, we build trust between clients, suppliers, governments, and society. Delivering better outcomes that have a positive impact on the world around us. 

We work smarter to face the challenges of the future; bringing the clarity that helps teams realise their full potential across the real estate, infrastructure, and natural resources sectors. 

It’s how we’ve made the difference for 75 years. Transforming performance for a green, inclusive and productive world. 

Job Description

Due to increased opportunities and demand in the Energy & Natural Resources division, the Energy & Natural Resources team are recruiting Project Managers to join a diverse and supportive team during a period of significant growth. Our nuclear client is at the forefront of industry leading change, and we are keen to speak to individuals with project management experience to see what Turner & Townsend can offer you. Candidates will be required to be present in our client office in Ayrshire for 3 days per week. 

MAIN PURPOSE OF ROLE 

As a Cost Engineer, you will be responsible for delivering cost management and cost control services across projects of varying size and complexity. You will support the establishment and maintenance of robust project controls processes, ensuring accurate reporting of project performance against approved baselines.

You will understand the relationship between cost, schedule, risk, change and scope, providing accurate financial and performance data that enables effective project governance and decision-making. You will play a key role in maintaining project control, identifying trends, managing risks and opportunities, and supporting continuous improvement throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Accountabilities 

Cost Management & Control

• Implement, maintain and continuously improve project cost control systems, processes and procedures.
• Develop and maintain Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS) and align them with Work Breakdown Structures (WBS).
• Support the development and maintenance of project budgets, cost plans and forecasts.
• Monitor, control and report project commitments, accruals, expenditure and forecast costs.
• Ensure accurate cost capture through effective alignment of Purchase Orders (POs), Work Orders (WOs) and cost management structures.
• Validate and interrogate contractor and supply chain cost data to improve forecasting accuracy and reporting quality.
• Lead the production and management of project accruals to ensure accurate cost reporting.
• Conduct cost variance analysis, root cause analysis and trend reporting, providing recommendations and recovery actions where appropriate.
• Support project teams in understanding project performance and forecast outcomes.

Earned Value & Performance Management

• Apply Earned Value Management (EVM) techniques to assess and report project performance.
• Support the establishment and maintenance of Performance Measurement Baselines (PMB).
• Integrate cost and progress information to provide meaningful project performance metrics.
• Produce cost performance reports, forecasting updates and management information for project and programme leadership teams.
• Support project performance reviews and governance meetings.

Forecasting, Change & Governance

• Lead forecast review activities and provide accurate Estimate to Complete (ETC) and Estimate at Completion (EAC) reporting.
• Support the preparation of baseline change proposals, investment decision documentation and business case updates.
• Provide cost input into project change management processes and change assessments.
• Ensure project controls activities are delivered in accordance with established governance processes, standards and procedures.
• Promote adherence to project controls frameworks and assurance requirements across the project lifecycle.
• Support analysis of current and historical project data to improve future estimating and forecasting activities.

Stakeholder & Supply Chain Management

• Work collaboratively with Project Managers, Project Controls teams, Commercial teams and Supply Chain stakeholders.
• Liaise with contractors and suppliers to understand cost variances, improve forecasting accuracy and support effective cost control.
• Present cost performance information, forecasts and recommendations to project stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Challenge assumptions and cost estimates where appropriate, ensuring the integrity of project baselines and forecasts.

Qualifications

Essential

• Demonstrable experience in Cost Engineering, Cost Control or Project Controls roles within major capital projects.
• Strong knowledge of project cost management, cost forecasting and cost reporting methodologies.
• Experience applying Earned Value Management (EVM) principles and techniques.
• Experience conducting cost variance analysis, performance reporting and forecasting.
• Understanding of project controls processes including change control, governance and performance management.
• Experience working with Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS) and Performance Measurement Baselines (PMB).
• Ability to interpret and analyse complex project data to support decision-making.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Excellent analytical, organisational and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

Desirable

• Experience working within nuclear, energy, infrastructure, utilities, defence or other highly regulated industries.
• Knowledge of NEC, FIDIC or equivalent contract frameworks.
• Familiarity with project controls systems and enterprise cost management tools.
• Membership of a relevant professional body such as APM, PMI, ACostE or similar.
• Experience supporting investment decisions, business case development and baseline change processes.
• Understanding of planning, scheduling, risk management and their interaction with cost control.

Personal Attributes

• Strong communicator with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Collaborative team player with a proactive and positive approach.
• High attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Self-motivated and eager to develop professionally.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced project environment and making informed, risk-based decisions.

Additional Information

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change. 

We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.  

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community. 

Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com/ 

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

Join our social media conversations for more information about Turner & Townsend and our exciting future projects:  

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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. In order 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.  

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

Join our social media conversations for more information about Turner & Townsend and our exciting future projects: 

Twitter

Instagram

LinkedIn

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. In order 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.