Job Description

This role is a management role supporting the commercial and finance teams in ensuring effective cost control of Data Centre construction projects and Frameworks.


Reporting to the Head of FP&A and managing a team of cost engineers and financial analysts, the successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring effective cost analysis, cost management and cost control activities. You will be part of an integrated Commercial and Finance team responsible for contributing to the production of project budgets, monthly cost reports, cost forecasts, assessments of value of work in progress and supplier value of work done. You will also ensure the accurate and timely preparation and approval of purchase requisitions, purchase orders and processing of invoices and payments. This role is a vital bridge working across both the Commercial and Finance Teams.


Develop and maintain project cost status reports


Development and ongoing preparation of commercial project cost status reports.
Understand and report on budget v actual costs and provide updated forecasts as required
Identify, understand and explain variances between budget v actual and forecast costs.
Report on actual and forecast project cash flows with support from the commercial, project and finance teams and in line with third party cost reports.
Ensure a detailed understanding of project status and cost issues through regular communication with the commercial, project and finance teams and senior management including attendance at project review meetings and collaborating to resolve cost issues.
Collection of project cost information from finance and QS teams from review of financial information, attendance at project meetings and third party reports to ensure project cost reports always reflect the latest status.
Working with the commercial, project and finance teams, ensure accurate cost forecasting and trending, understand variances, drive cost accuracy and timely and accurate reporting.
Work with the commercial, project and finance teams to ensure financial reporting requirements are met including preparation of monthly project cost Board reports


Manage process for raising project purchase requisitions and purchase orders


Ensure purchase requisitions and purchase orders are accurately completed and are raised in a timely fashion according to project schedule
Ensure project cost invoices and payments are processed approved in a timely manner and in accordance with Group policy and procedures
Ensure purchase orders, invoices and payments are accurately included in project cost reports in a timely fashion.


Monitor project cost controls


Ensure project cost changes are approved and reported in accordance with the Group change management process
Understand the project cost control environment and seek to improve where necessary.
Monitor project contingency requirements and project budgets, and work with the Commercial, Project and Finance teams to ensure that changes to project contingency and budgets are appropriately approved.


Skills


Communication: You can demonstrate experience/capability to engage and communicate effectively (spoken and written) across diverse stakeholder groups. (R)
Collaboration: You can demonstrate how you use have used collaboration to effectively deliver, and to create and/or contribute to wider team empowerment and value. (R)
Innovation: You can demonstrate how you have used problem solving to identify opportunities to responsibly improve ways of working and/or established outcomes, within your scope of influence (R)
Continuous Improvement: You can demonstrate how you have invested in developing you own (and others) skills, experience, and output. And how this has contributed to personal and/or wider business value. (R)
Leadership: You can demonstrate how through your understanding of your own personal impact and responsibility, that you have led by example and brought others along with you on the journey. (R)


Qualifications & Experience


Qualified accountant
Minimum of five years' experience delivering a similar role in Cost Engineering, Commercial Management or Quantity Surveying.
Degree qualified.
Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Chemical), Science, Mathematics Project/Business Management/ Accounts/Risk Management background.
Experience of coaching and mentoring.
Experience in Data Centre projects or similar Hi-tech projects.


Knowledge & Skills


Prior experience of Project Controls Software Systems and ERP systems - implementation and development ideal
Extensive knowledge of Excel (Sumif, V-lookup & pivot).
Excellent communication skills and able to build relationships across multiple functions
Positive and professional approach.
Strong analytical and logical skills.
Problem solving and the ability to work within a dynamic team.
Good team player, self-motivated and also able to work on own initiative.
English language - fluent written & verbal.
Able to work accurately with figures and focus on meeting deadlines