Cost Manager

At United Utilities, we're investing in a better future for our rivers, communities and environment through one of the largest and most exciting infrastructure programmes in the country. We're looking for a talented Cost Manager to join our Better Rivers PMO Team, supporting the successful delivery of projects across the Lancashire region.

This is a highly visible role where you'll work in partnership with Project Managers, delivery teams and project controls specialists to provide robust cost management, assurance and forecasting across a diverse portfolio of projects. You'll play a key role in project decision making, ensuring investment is accurately planned, controlled and delivered efficiently, whilst providing the insight and challenge needed to drive successful outcomes.

This is a hybrid role, offering the flexibility of working from home alongside regular time spent at our Preston Hub and United Utilities Headquarters in Warrington. You'll build strong relationships with stakeholders across project delivery teams, provide valuable cost insight, challenge assumptions and estimates where required, and collaborate with a wider PMO and cost management community. As a result, a full UK driving licence is essential.

If you enjoy working with complex data, influencing project teams, providing cost assurance and taking ownership of your work, this is an excellent opportunity to develop your career within a supportive and collaborative environment. We're looking for someone who is organised, methodical and confident in challenging costs, estimates and assumptions in a constructive way. You'll have the autonomy to manage your own workload and think independently, whilst benefiting from the expertise, guidance and development opportunities available across an experienced PMO and cost management team.

What You'll Be Doing

• Partner with Risk, Planning and Project Controls colleagues to drive successful project delivery and strengthen cross functional collaboration.
• Manage project costs and budgets, ensuring alignment with project structures while providing clear analysis of performance, trends and variances.
• Support Project Managers and delivery teams with effective cost control, including the management of commitments, journals, accruals and forecasts.
• Provide robust cost assurance through the review and constructive challenge of estimates, trends and change impacts, ensuring strong financial control and data integrity.
• Assess the impact of project changes and ensure approved updates are reflected accurately within project baselines.
• Produce and review Earned Value Management reporting, identifying performance trends and delivering meaningful insights that support effective decision making.
• Maintain accurate cost, budget and forecast reporting, applying strong attention to detail while tracking performance against approved project baselines.

What We're Looking For

• Degree qualified in a relevant discipline, or equivalent professional experience, with proven experience in Cost Management, Project Controls or Programme Delivery and a strong understanding of cost management methodologies and systems.
• Strong financial, analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data, identify trends and provide meaningful insights that support project performance and decision making.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence and credibility to build relationships, influence outcomes and constructively challenge assumptions, estimates and data where required.
• A proactive, organised and methodical approach, with the ability to work autonomously, manage competing priorities, think independently and maintain exceptional attention to detail.
• Knowledge of Primavera P6, SAP and project controls tools would be highly advantageous, alongside MAPM, ACostE or equivalent Project Management or Project Controls qualifications.
• A full UK driving licence is essential, as the role requires regular travel between Preston and Lingley Mere, Warrington.

Why This Role

This is an opportunity to play a key role in a major environmental programme that will leave a lasting legacy across the North West. You'll influence significant investment decisions, work alongside experienced project professionals and contribute directly to the successful delivery of critical infrastructure projects that make a real difference to customers and communities.

Benefits:

• 26 days annual leave rising to 30 with service, plus 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 an experienced Cost Manager, Project Controls professional or cost focused project specialist looking for a role where you can challenge, influence and add real value, we'd love to hear from you.