Senior Cost Controller - Civils - Nuclear Decommissioning

Senior Cost Controller

Location: Sellafield / Chapel Bank (Outside the Wire)
Salary: Circa £60,000 + Car Allowance + Excellent Benefits

Senior Cost Controller - Major Civil Infrastructure Framework

Westlakes Recruit is supporting the delivery of a major long-term civil infrastructure framework within the UK's nuclear decommissioning sector and is looking to recruit an experienced Senior Cost Controller to join a high-performing commercial and project delivery team.
This is an excellent opportunity to play a pivotal role in the successful delivery of multiple complex infrastructure projects, providing leadership across planning, cost control, performance reporting and programme governance within one of the UK's most highly regulated project environments.
The successful candidate will lead the project controls function across multiple Work Package Orders (WPOs), ensuring robust governance, accurate reporting, and effective cost and schedule management throughout the project lifecycle.

The Role

Reporting to the Commercial Manager, you will take responsibility for leading all project controls activities across a portfolio of major civil engineering projects.
Working closely with Commercial, Engineering, Planning and Project Delivery teams, you will establish and maintain industry-leading project controls processes, providing accurate cost forecasting, programme management, performance reporting and strategic project oversight.
You will play a key role in supporting project delivery while ensuring compliance with client requirements, contractual obligations and nuclear industry standards.
Projects will include major civil engineering and infrastructure works such as:

• Earthworks and enabling works
• Reinforced concrete structures
• Infrastructure and utility upgrades
• Highways and drainage works
• Temporary and permanent civil engineering works
• Major construction activities within a highly regulated nuclear environment

Key Responsibilities

Project Controls Leadership

• Lead the project controls function across multiple concurrent Work Package Orders.
• Develop and maintain robust project controls processes aligned with contractual requirements and nuclear industry standards.
• Provide strategic oversight of cost, programme, risk and project performance.
• Drive continuous improvement across project controls systems and reporting processes.

Cost Management

• Develop and manage project budgets across individual work packages and framework delivery.
• Monitor actual costs against forecasts and identify cost variances.
• Produce:
  • Cost reports
  • Cashflow forecasts
  • Estimate at Completion (EAC)
  • Financial performance reports
• Support the Commercial Manager in protecting project margins and commercial performance.

Programme Management

• Lead programme controls in conjunction with Planning Engineers.
• Develop and maintain integrated project schedules.
• Monitor progress against baseline programmes.
• Identify delays, constraints and recovery opportunities.
• Coordinate planning activities across multiple concurrent projects.

Performance Reporting

• Monitor project KPIs relating to:
  • Cost
  • Programme
  • Productivity
  • Commercial performance
  • Contract deliverables
• Produce dashboards and management reports for senior leadership.
• Analyse trends and implement performance improvement initiatives.
• Provide early warning of emerging programme or commercial risks.

Framework Coordination

• Coordinate project controls across multiple Work Package Orders.
• Ensure consistency of reporting and governance across the framework.
• Support resource planning and project prioritisation.

Risk & Change Management

• Work closely with Risk Managers to monitor project risks.
• Integrate risk assessments into programme and cost forecasts.
• Support change management and compensation event processes.
• Ensure all project changes are fully captured, assessed and reported.

Stakeholder Management

• Produce contractual reports for the client.
• Present project performance information to senior stakeholders.
• Interface with client-side project controls teams and auditors.
• Support commercial and operational leadership with project reporting.

Systems & Digital Controls

• Manage project controls systems and digital reporting tools.
• Ensure integrity and traceability of project data.
• Promote continuous improvement of reporting systems and project controls processes.

Team Leadership

• Provide leadership and technical guidance to Planning Engineers and Cost Engineers.
• Work collaboratively with Engineering, Commercial and Delivery teams.
• Promote best practice across all project controls activities.

Candidate Requirements

Essential

• Proven experience as a Project Controls Manager, Senior Planner or Project Controls Lead on major civil engineering or infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of integrated project controls including:
  • Cost Management
  • Planning
  • Risk Management
  • Performance Reporting
• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects or work packages.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of NEC contracts.
• Experience producing cost forecasts, EACs, KPI reporting and performance dashboards.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Experience using project controls and planning software.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary project controls teams.

Desirable

• Previous experience working within the nuclear sector or other highly regulated industries.
• Knowledge of Sellafield project governance and assurance processes.
• Experience supporting large framework or alliance contracts.
• Experience with Power BI or advanced reporting tools.
• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Project Controls or a related discipline.
• Professional membership with APM, ICE, CIOB or equivalent.

Required Knowledge

• Strong understanding of project controls principles and governance.
• Experience in cost forecasting, planning and earned value management.
• Knowledge of civil engineering construction methodologies.
• Understanding of contract administration and commercial reporting.
• Experience of project controls systems and associated software.
• Familiarity with regulated project environments and audit requirements.
• Understanding of risk management and change control processes.

Why Apply?

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the UK's most significant nuclear infrastructure frameworks, supporting the delivery of complex civil engineering projects that will shape the future of the UK's nuclear decommissioning programme.
Working alongside experienced commercial and project delivery teams, you will play a key role in driving project performance, improving delivery outcomes and supporting the successful execution of major infrastructure works within a highly regulated environment.
If you are looking for a long-term opportunity offering technical challenge, career progression and involvement in nationally significant projects, we would love to hear from you.