The Senior Cost Manager is responsible for leading cost management activities across complex and high-value projects. The role holder is critical to ensuring robust financial control, accurate forecasting, and strategic cost analysis throughout the project lifecycle. The Senior Cost Manager acts as a key interface between project teams and senior stakeholders, providing insight and assurance on cost performance.
Principal Accountabilities:
- Assist estimating in the development and management of detailed cost estimates, budgets, and forecasts.
- Oversee the preparation and delivery of monthly cost reports, including variance analysis and performance commentary.
- Provide expert input into project reviews, governance forums, and cost planning activities.
- Ensure alignment between cost, schedule, and scope through close collaboration with planning and delivery teams.
- Drive earned value management (EVM) processes and interpret performance metrics to inform decision-making.
- Manage cost risk and opportunity assessments, supporting mitigation strategies and contingency planning.
- Lead change control assessments from a cost perspective, ensuring impacts are accurately captured and reported.
- Maintain and enhance cost management systems, tools, and procedures, including Ecosys.
- Mentor and support junior and intermediate cost engineers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Contribute to benchmarking, lessons learned, and best practice initiatives across the organisation.
- Perform additional tasks, activities or other duties as may be required or assigned as part of the role.
Skills:
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, with the ability to interpret and present complex data.
- Proficiency in cost management software and tools (e.g., PRISM, EcoSys, SAP, or similar).
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Proven ability to lead cost engineering activities and influence project outcomes.
- In-depth understanding of earned value management and project performance metrics.
- Familiarity with risk management and integrated project controls desirable.
- Professional accreditation or working towards membership of a relevant body (e.g., ACostE, ICE, RICS) desirable.
Experience:
- 10 years' experience in cost engineering or project controls within complex project environments.
- Experience in infrastructure, energy, defence, or major capital projects is desirable.