Project Cost Controller Manager - Defence

Company Description

At Turner & Townsend, we are passionate about making the difference. That means delivering better outcomes for our clients, helping our people to realize their potential, and doing our part to create a prosperous society. Every day we help our major global clients deliver ambitious and highly technical projects, in over 245 offices worldwide.

The Defence Infrastructure Cost Centre provides support to projects that range in complexity and size with our service offerings spanning across Programme and Project Management, Project Planning, Cost Engineering, Risk Management, and Commercial Disciplines.
We provide support to the full project lifecycle both pre-contract and post contract, delivering infrastructure projects on behalf of our clients, that range from several hundred thousand pounds in value to major projects and programmes worth over £200M.

Due to growing client requirements, we are actively looking to expand the team and have talented individuals join us who will support our Defence client portfolio, whilst further developing their career, working on a range of complex and challenging commissions.

Job Description

About Us:

In the UK, Turner & Townsend partners with a diverse portfolio of clients across sectors including Health, Local Government, Higher Education, Highways, Utilities, Rail, and Defence. This breadth of experience offers our people the opportunity to work on some of the most exciting and high-impact programmes in the country.

We are a Tier 1 supplier of Project and Programme Management Services to the UK Ministry of Defence and key strategic Defence suppliers. Our work plays a vital role in supporting national security while helping our clients achieve better, more resilient outcomes.

Role Overview and Purpose:

We have an exciting opportunity for a Cost Controller (Project Controls Engineer Grade) to join our growing Defence South East team.

You'll play a key role in delivering cost control and performance management services across a portfolio of high-profile projects and programmes. This is a dynamic and rewarding role that offers you the opportunity to work at the forefront of UK Defence.

As part of our award-winning Cost Control and Project Controls community, you'll collaborate with experienced professionals, contribute to innovative solutions, and benefit from a strong network of knowledge-sharing and development opportunities.

There has never been a better time to advance your career in the Defence sector with Turner & Townsend - where your expertise will help shape the future of UK Defence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with project delivery teams as part of a wider cost control function, or independently with support from experienced cost professionals.
• Implement, administer, and maintain cost control systems and procedures to monitor project budgets, commitments, expenditures, and forecasts.
• Support the development and maintenance of a robust, integrated Performance Measurement Baseline (PMB) in collaboration with the Integrated Project Team, ensuring alignment with the change control process.
• Assist in the creation of Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS) and align time-phased budgets with the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to enable accurate cost tracking and control.
• Prepare accruals to ensure timely and accurate reflection of the Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP) in project cost data.
• Develop and maintain cost tracking tools as needed, and generate regular cost reports, including Earned Value Analysis (EVA) to assess project performance.
• Provide cost input to support the development of Change Requests, participate in change control boards, and integrate approved changes into the project baseline.
• Update project forecasts to maintain an accurate and comprehensive Estimate to Complete (ETC).
• Deliver timely and accurate cost information to support project status reporting, performance management, and informed decision-making by project leadership.

Working Location:

Turner & Townsend recognises the importance of helping its employees harmonise their work and home life by offering hybrid working, that enable them to balance their working life with other priorities. At the same time T&T recognises that employee office and site attendance must at all times remain in line with the demands of the business and clients. Currently, we anticipate you being on client sites or Turner & Townsend offices 60% of your time, but this may flex depending on client and business requirements. The office is not the only place work gets done, but it is increasingly important for teams to be stronger together by learning, collaborating, and creating amazing work together.

About you:

We're seeking individuals with a strong background in performance and reporting management, ideally gained within the Defence sector or a similarly complex and regulated environment. Just as important as your technical expertise is your desire to be part of a high-performing, collaborative team that's committed to delivering world-class outcomes for our growing network of Defence clients.

Turner & Townsend is looking for the right people to join our team - if you do not fulfil 100% of the advert but think you can add value to our teams and clients please apply or reach out to the recruiter for a discussion.

Experience and Skills:

• Proven experience in cost control and project controls within complex, large-scale infrastructure or Defence sector programmes.
• Strong understanding of cost management principles, including budgeting, forecasting, accruals, earned value management (EVM), and cost performance analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS) and align them with Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and project schedules.
• Experience producing high-quality cost reports and dashboards, with the ability to communicate complex financial data clearly to stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and leadership skills, with experience managing or mentoring junior cost professionals and working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Sector-specific experience in Defence or Nuclear industries, with an understanding of the regulatory, commercial, and security frameworks that govern these environments.
• Proven ability to build and maintain trusted advisor relationships with clients, contributing to long-term partnerships and repeat business.
• Experience coordinating contractors, consultants, and advisors across multiple, concurrent projects, ensuring alignment and delivery against programme objectives.
• Practical experience using Microsoft Excel and other MS Office applications for cost tracking, analysis, and reporting.
• Proficiency in Cost Management tools and software, such as ECOSYS, PRISM, COBRA or similar platforms.
• Awareness of how cost control integrates with other project controls disciplines, including scheduling, risk management, reporting, and change control-with the ability to collaborate effectively across these functions.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working with UK Government departments and agencies, particularly on complex infrastructure or capital investment programmes.
• Proven ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary project teams, fostering collaboration and delivering successful outcomes through strategic direction and influence.
• Broader project management expertise, including change management, stakeholder engagement, and governance across the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Must hold, or be eligible to obtain, UK Ministry of Defence Security Clearance (SC or higher); UK passport required.
• Degree qualified in a relevant technical, engineering, or management discipline, or possess equivalent professional qualifications and demonstrable experience in Cost Control.
• Membership of a recognised professional body such as the Association for Project Management (APM) or Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
• A UK driving license or the ability to travel to client sites across the region as required is essential.

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

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 . click apply for full job details