Senior Cost Manager

The Opportunity:

We’re looking for a strategic and influential Senior Cost Manager to play a key leadership role within our PMO team in Capital Delivery.

In this role, you’ll take ownership of cost management across a dynamic programme of wastewater projects, driving strong financial governance, enhancing cost performance, and ensuring best‑class cost control throughout the project lifecycle.

You won’t just be managing numbers; you’ll be shaping decisions. Acting as a trusted expert, you’ll bring the confidence to challenge, influence senior stakeholders, and elevate standards across the programme.

You’ll also lead and develop a small team, fostering capability and ensuring consistent, high‑quality cost intelligence across all projects.

This is a high‑impact, visible role where your expertise will directly support the delivery of essential services to millions of people across the North West.

Why this role stands out:

• Strategic influence – Shape programme decisions and drive financial performance
• Leadership opportunity – Develop and mentor emerging talent
• Meaningful impact – Contribute to vital infrastructure and regulatory commitments
• Supportive culture – Learn, grow and take action without unnecessary bureaucracy

• Leading programme cost management, including budgets, forecasts, and performance tracking
• Partnering with Planning, Risk, Controls, and Project Managers to ensure accurate, joined‑up cost data
• Driving cost control processes including commitments, accrals, and financial reporting
• Providing clear insights, identifying risks, trends, and variances against baseline
• Managing and implementing changes to programme baseline effectively
• Leading and developing a small team of Cost Managers
• Embedding consistent standards, governance, and best practice across the programme

You’re a confident, proactive cost professional who thrives in a fast‑paced project environment and enjoys influencing outcomes.

You’ll bring:

• Strong expertise in Cost Control, Project Controls, or Programme Delivery
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and challenge stakeholders
• Experience using Primavera P6
• A proactive, solutions‑focused mindset with confidence to raise and resolve issues
• Experience developing or mentoring others within a project controls environment
• Degree‑level education or equivalent experience
• Professional qualifications (APM, PMI or similar)
• Knowledge of NEC4 contracts

We believe in rewarding our people and helping them thrive:

• 26 days holiday + 8 bank holidays
• Up to 14% employer pension contribution (21% combined)
• Comprehensive healthcare plan
• Flexible and hybrid working options