As part of our Capital Engineering & Construction (CEC) Programme Management Office (PMO), we're looking for a talented Cost Manager to join the team and play a key role in the successful delivery of our capital investment portfolio. Reporting to the Programme Controls Manager, you'll provide expert cost management, forecasting and financial insight that helps project teams make confident, informed decisions.
Working across a diverse portfolio of projects, you'll partner with Project Managers, Planning, Risk and wider Project Controls colleagues to ensure robust cost control, accurate forecasting and high quality performance reporting. This is an opportunity to be at the centre of programme delivery, influencing key decisions and helping deliver investments that improve services for millions of customers across the North West.
Joining a collaborative PMO environment, you'll help drive consistency, assurance and best practice across programme controls while building strong relationships with key stakeholders. If you're passionate about turning complex data into meaningful insight and enjoy supporting successful project delivery, we'd love to hear from you.
What You'll Be Doing
Lead project cost management across a portfolio of capital projects, maintaining robust budgets, forecasts and financial controls throughout the project lifecycle.
Partner with Project Managers and wider Programme Controls teams to provide trusted cost insight, performance analysis and challenge that supports effective decision making.
Develop and maintain cost management processes, controls and governance arrangements, ensuring consistency, accuracy and confidence in programme performance data.
Manage commitments, accruals, forecasting and cost reporting activities, delivering timely and accurate financial information to key stakeholders.
Analyse Earned Value Management data, cost trends, variances, risks and opportunities, providing clear recommendations to support successful project delivery.
Evaluate and implement approved project changes, maintaining accurate baselines and ensuring cost performance remains aligned with programme objectives.
What You'll Bring
Experience in Cost Management, Project Controls or a similar project delivery environment, with a strong understanding of cost forecasting, budgeting and financial performance management.
The ability to analyse complex project and financial data, identify key trends and provide clear, actionable insight that supports decision making.
Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to build trusted relationships, influence outcomes and provide constructive challenge where required.
Experience applying cost management principles, controls and governance within a project or programme environment.
Knowledge of Earned Value Management, cost reporting and performance analysis, with the ability to communicate findings effectively to a range of audiences.
A collaborative and proactive approach, with a focus on continuous improvement and driving high quality outcomes across project teams.
Proficiency in tools such as SAP and Excel, with experience using project controls and cost management systems.
Degree qualified or able to demonstrate equivalent professional experience. Professional qualifications such as ACostE, APM or similar would be beneficial.
Why This Role
This is more than a cost management role. It's an opportunity to become a key part of the team that supports the successful delivery of some of United Utilities' most important investment programmes.
You'll gain exposure to a broad portfolio of projects, work alongside experienced project professionals and play an influential role in shaping programme performance. In return, you'll be supported to develop your expertise in a mature Programme Controls environment while helping deliver projects that make a lasting difference to customers, communities and the environment across the North West.
Benefits
26 days’ annual leave, rising by one day for each completed holiday year (served up to a maximum of 30days) plus 8 bank holidays
Competitive pension with up to 14% employer contribution and life cover
Performance related bonus of up to 7.5% plus recognition awards
Company funded healthcare plan and wellbeing support including mental health resources and Employee Assistance Programme
Access to discounts, gym savings, and flexible benefits through MORE Choices
Financial wellbeing support including Salary Finance and Wealth at Work
Electric vehicle scheme and ShareBuy options
Enhanced parental leave
If you're looking for a role where your insight, challenge and expertise will directly influence major project outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.
Note: At United Utilities, we believe people are more than just applications. Every application is personally reviewed by our recruitment team and hiring manager. We do not use AI or automated screening tools to assess applications.
