Cost Control Associate Director - Energy Infrastructure

We are seeking an experienced and highly capable Cost Control Associate Director to lead the delivery of Cost Control and Project Controls services across major programmes and projects. This is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing cost control strategies, establishing robust governance frameworks, providing portfolio-level assurance, and supporting clients with informed financial and project performance decision-making throughout the project lifecycle. Working within highly regulated sectors, including major nuclear, energy and infrastructure programmes, you will lead multidisciplinary cost control teams, provide expert cost management advice, and ensure effective forecasting, performance reporting and financial governance. You will work closely with programme leadership teams to drive cost certainty, improve project performance, and support successful project delivery across complex capital investments. The successful candidate will have extensive experience leading Cost Control functions across large-scale capital programmes, with expertise in cost forecasting, earned value management, performance measurement, risk integration, change control and financial governance. Experience supporting major infrastructure and nuclear programmes is highly desirable, requiring strong capabilities in business case development, project assurance, cost governance and programme controls throughout the full project lifecycle. Day-to-Day Duties - Provide leadership and strategic direction for Cost Control services across a portfolio of major capital programmes and projects. - Establish and maintain cost control frameworks, governance processes, procedures and standards to ensure consistency, compliance and delivery excellence. - Lead the development, implementation and assurance of cost control systems, tools and reporting methodologies. - Oversee project budgets, cost forecasts, Estimates at Completion (EAC), Estimates to Complete (ETC), Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP) and cost performance analysis. - Direct the preparation and presentation of cost reports, financial performance updates and executive-level dashboards for programme leadership and client stakeholders. - Lead portfolio-level forecasting and cost performance management activities, ensuring timely identification of emerging risks, trends and opportunities. - Drive earned value management (EVM), productivity analysis, benchmarking and performance measurement processes across programmes and projects. - Ensure effective integration of cost control activities with planning, risk management, change management, commercial and project delivery functions. - Provide strategic advice on business cases, investment decisions, affordability assessments and project controls governance. - Lead the implementation and maintenance of robust change control processes, ensuring cost impacts are accurately assessed, managed and reported. - Oversee cost assurance reviews and governance activities to support effective project decision-making and compliance. - Collaborate with Programme Directors, Project Directors, Commercial Leaders, Risk Managers and Planning teams to provide an integrated view of project performance. - Lead cost risk identification, quantitative risk analysis and mitigation planning to improve forecasting accuracy and delivery confidence. - Manage and develop high-performing Cost Control teams through coaching, mentoring, performance management and professional development. - Support recruitment, workforce planning and succession strategies to ensure the capability and capacity required to meet client demands. - Act as a trusted advisor to clients on cost performance, project controls governance and programme delivery challenges. - Support business development activities, including client engagement, bid preparation, proposal development and strategic growth initiatives. - Champion innovation, digital transformation and continuous improvement across Cost Control and Project Controls disciplines. - Promote the consistent application of best-practice cost management methodologies, controls and reporting standards across all commissions. Key Leadership Responsibilities - Lead, manage and develop Cost Control teams across multiple programmes and projects. - Provide technical oversight and assurance for cost forecasting, reporting, earned value and financial performance management activities. - Establish and maintain cost governance frameworks that support successful programme delivery and client confidence. - Drive continuous improvement and the adoption of industry best practices within Cost Control and Project Controls functions. - Support the growth and development of the Project Controls business through client relationship management, business development and capability enhancement. - Act as a senior subject matter expert in cost control, forecasting, performance management and project controls governance. - Provide leadership across major programmes, ensuring cost control activities support strategic objectives and successful project delivery outcomes. You have extensive Project Controls and Cost Engineering experience gained across major programmes and projects within sectors such as Nuclear, Energy, Defence, Infrastructure, Transportation or other highly regulated environments. You have a proven track record of leading Cost Engineering teams, developing project controls capability and delivering robust cost management solutions across multiple stages of the project lifecycle. - Significant experience leading Cost Engineering and Project Controls teams across major capital projects, programmes and portfolios. - Expert knowledge of cost management principles, forecasting methodologies, project controls governance and industry best practice. - Advanced proficiency in Project Controls and Cost Management tools, including EcoSys, PRISM, Cobra, Primavera P6, SAP, Power BI and Microsoft Excel. - Strong experience in cost forecasting, budget management, cost reporting, cost assurance, change control, earned value management (EVM), performance measurement and quantitative risk analysis. - Experience developing and implementing cost governance frameworks, project controls procedures and performance reporting processes within complex project environments. - Proven ability to develop business cases, support investment decisions and provide strategic cost and performance insights to senior stakeholders. - Strong understanding of the integration between Cost, Planning & Scheduling, Risk Management, Change Control and Performance Reporting disciplines within a Project Controls environment. - Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence and challenge at Executive, Director and Programme leadership level. - Strong leadership capability with experience managing multidisciplinary teams, coaching professionals and developing Project Controls capability. - Highly analytical, with the ability to interpret complex cost and performance data and translate findings into actionable business recommendations. - Experience delivering Cost Engineering services within Energy (Nuclear, Renewables, Transmission & Distribution, Oil & Gas, Low Carbon) and/or Infrastructure (Water, Utilities, Rail, Highways, Aviation) sectors. - Experience working on major programmes, complex project portfolios and regulated environments. - Working knowledge and practical application of NEC3 and NEC4 contracts. - Degree qualified in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Project Controls, Finance or a related discipline (or equivalent experience). - Membership of a relevant professional body such as APM, AACE International, RICS, PMI or equivalent. - Eligible to obtain BPSS security clearance, and where required, higher levels of UK security clearance.