Project Controls Manager

Location: North West England (hybrid working available)

Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Recruiter: Commercial Talent Solutions (on behalf of our client)

Commercial Talent Solutions is proud to partner with a leading engineering and infrastructure delivery business to recruit a Project Controls Manager for a high-profile, first-of-its-kind capital project in the UK energy sector.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join the leadership team on a £300 million+ major programme to deliver a groundbreaking long-duration energy storage solution. The project leverages innovative, first-of-its-kind technology to support the UK’s drive toward energy security and net-zero.

We’re looking for an accomplished controls leader with a strong background in cost, planning, risk, and performance management, someone who thrives in complex environments and is ready to step into a role with influence, accountability, and long-term career progression.

About the Role

This newly created position is responsible for leading the project controls function across the full lifecycle of a major renewable energy infrastructure project. From FEED through to commissioning, the Project Controls Manager will drive planning, cost control, change, risk management, and performance reporting to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery of this pioneering facility.

The successful candidate will join a business reinvesting in its EPC capability, and this role offers a clear pathway to become Project Controls Sector Lead as the portfolio expands.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Oversight

• Lead and build a project controls team across planning, cost engineering, document control, and risk.
• Define and embed best practices, tools, systems, and processes for integrated project controls.
• Act as the senior point of contact for all project controls-related governance, reporting, and assurance.

Planning & Scheduling

• Develop detailed project schedules in Primavera P6 covering design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
• Incorporate WBS structures, resource/cost loading, and QSRA outputs.
• Maintain critical path awareness and milestone tracking to drive project delivery.

Cost & Value Management

• Implement cost control systems for monitoring budgets, forecasts, actuals, and variances.
• Support monthly cost value reconciliations, earned value management, and KPI reporting.
• Align closely with the commercial team to ensure integration with NEC contract requirements.
• Own the project risk register and lead the facilitation of risk mitigation planning.
• Ensure all time and cost risks are incorporated into baseline schedules and forecasts.
• Manage change control processes and assess impact to programme performance.

Performance & Reporting

• Produce performance dashboards and executive-level reporting using tools like Power BI.
• Drive transparency and accountability through monthly reporting cycles and progress reviews.
• Chair internal controls meetings and liaise with client-side reporting functions.

Candidate Profile

We are looking for individuals who demonstrate:

• 8+ years’ experience in a senior project controls role on complex capital projects (£100m+).
• Track record of success within infrastructure, energy, industrial, or process sectors.
• Strong technical skills in Primavera P6 and risk analysis tools (Acumen Risk, PRA, etc.).
• In-depth NEC3/4 knowledge with practical experience of cost and programme controls.
• A degree in engineering, construction, quantity surveying, or project management (or equivalent).
• Chartered or working toward chartered status (e.g. ACostE, MAPM, IEng/CEng).
• Excellent communication and leadership ability with a collaborative, delivery-focused approach.

Why This Opportunity?

• Lead a first-of-its-kind renewable energy project with national impact.
• Deliver a £300m+ capital investment that will shape the UK’s energy future.
• Be part of a business expanding its EPC and project delivery capability, with in-house manufacturing and long-term operations services.
• Six-figure package + full benefits, hybrid flexibility, and real long-term career progression.
• Step into a UK-wide leadership opportunity as the business builds out its national project controls function.