Cost Management Lead

We are seeking a highly strategic and commercially driven finance professional to lead financial planning and performance across a major project portfolio. This role will be critical in driving budget discipline, forecasting accuracy, and proactive financial risk management to ensure optimal capital efficiency and successful project delivery.

You will act as the key financial partner to project leadership, providing insight, transparency, and control across all financial aspects of the project lifecycle.

• Own and manage the end-to-end project budget baseline, including control accounts and contingency allocations
• Drive ongoing budget optimisation to ensure cost efficiency and alignment with project objectives
• Maintain robust financial governance to prevent overruns and ensure accountability

• Develop and manage detailed monthly forecasts, including cash flow projections and Estimated at Completion (EAC) models
• Identify and communicate cost trends, risks, and variances early to enable proactive decision‑making
• Provide clear financial insights to project stakeholders and senior leadership

• Perform detailed cost‑benefit analyses to support design and delivery decisions
• Evaluate contractor pricing submissions against market benchmarks to ensure competitiveness and value for money
• Maintain the financial elements of the project Risk Register
• Assess and model potential cost impacts of risks and opportunities
• Strategically manage contingency drawdown throughout the project lifecycle

• Deliver high-quality, executive-level financial reports and dashboards on a monthly basis
• Track and report on key financial metrics including KPIs, committed vs. actual spend, and purchase order burn rates
• Present insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders in a clear and actionable format