Associate Director - Cost Management (Project Controls)

We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world-leading design, engineering and project management organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems.

Become a vital member of our Project & Programme Services team, proudly taking on some of the world's most exciting and prestigious projects. Join us, and you'll be part of our genuinely collaborative environment, where everyone is supported to make the most of their talents. It's about recognizing everyone's contributions equally while delivering excellence together.
Flexible and remote working are central to our culture, so talk to us about what's important to you, from reduced weeks to buying more leave, and how we can make reasonable adjustments for you or support your ambitions outside of work. 

Our awesome Complex Infrastructure team make the biggest, most complex, and ambitious infrastructure projects happen. Whether it’s transforming the energy sector, forming the backbone of Britain’s transport network on High Speed 2, transforming how the railway works on East Coast Digital Programme, increasing our international connectivity on Heathrow Airport, or delivering safe and reliable journeys for National Highways and local government bodies, a career with us represents an opportunity to make a positive difference to the communities we serve and for future generations to come. And, we do all of this whilst working with fun and passion.

Due to continued growth, we are looking for an exceptional Associate Director to join our Cost Management (Project Controls) team, who possesses strong and proven experience, notably for Energy and Infrastructure sectors, to take a lead position in our London and South Complex Infrastructure team. The individual must be ambitious, wanting to progress within our business and will play a key role in supporting the growth of our Complex Infrastructure Business Unit.

When you join us as a leader in our Cost Management team, you'll share our reputation for high-quality work and always doing what's right. Enjoy diverse and exciting projects, improving communities and protecting the environment. You'll support project teams on niche and high-profile schemes; from evaluating project cost performance and using data analytics to identify trends against baseline, to leading communication and monitoring project governance control for successful delivery.

You will be specifically responsible for the delivery of multiple commissions and support the Head of Cost Management and the Practice Director in recruiting high calibre individuals that will deliver excellence to our clients and represent our brand in a positive way.

You will stimulate profitable growth for the team, act as a mentor to others and drive the performance of the business forward.

Specific Requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:

Responsibilities:

Reporting into the Head of Cost Management, you will be a senior member of the Complex Infrastructure Cost Management team responsible for growing the existing team and building long term, sustainable team relationships with our Complex Infrastructure clients.

What you will bring:

• Recognised expertise and experience in Cost Management services across complex infrastructure industry.
• People Management experience and the ability to inspire and motivate teams and unlock future talent for the business.
• An excellent understanding of industry benchmarks / best practices, Cost and Work Breakdown Structures and methods of measurements (e.g. RMM, NRM etc).
• Strong network within the energy and/or infrastructure sectors.
• Proven track record of service innovation, technical excellence and exceptional service delivery.
• Exceptional technical ability to monitor, analyse, and control cost performance against set targets.
• Leadership and technical capabilities to challenge engineering teams and identify/cost efficient design solutions.
• Collaborative behaviours and technical expertise to interface with wider project controls expertise including schedule logic and risk exposure.
• Comprehensive understanding of the tasks facing the sector and the opportunities available.
• Commercial and quantity surveying skills or Finance skills, with full working knowledge of the construction industry, and an understanding of StandardForms of Contracts (NEC/FIDIC/IChemE), and their commercial basis.
• Expert level and ability to develop and understand performance measurement of projects using Earned Value Management (EVM) and similar techniques.
• Major project/programmes of work experience.

Your purpose:

• Further enhance our Cost Management capability including leading on the development and use of Power-BI, PRISM, Oracle and other Cost Management related software.
• Lead our community of practice and drive technical excellence, service innovation and supporting with the development of our benchmarking capabilities.
• Unlock talent and develop next generation of leaders.
• Deliver excellent client service on our commissions through quality assurance and regular client care.
• Develop mentor and support your teams on project / technical delivery.

Strategic:

• Deliver the strategy for the Cost Management Service including identifying continuous development.
• Deliver an exceptional cost management service for multiple stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for strategic recruitment and associated investments by the business, linked to the Complex Infrastructure business strategy.
• Ensure appropriate engagement with the wider AtkinsRéalis business, as determined by the strategy.
• Develop a positive team ethos and continue to create opportunities for the team’s development.
• Continually monitor progress against targets, identify risks and provide solutions to achieve successful business outcomes.

Business Development:

• Support with the Cost Management business development activity.
• Review of our Key Account Management Plans for all key clients.
• Monitor and manage Cost Management activity and associated expenditure within your remit.
• Generate high quality leadership material for use on the website & in the market.
• Secure year-on-year margin improvement on project delivery.
• Further develop our Off-shore capability including managing their use on project delivery.
• Monitor and control compliance with all key metrics, including (but not limited to):
• Project Health Checks.
• Risk register review and updates.
• PSR (Project Status Report) Completion
• Timesheets      

Account management:

• Support the account management team to maximise our impact.
• Enhance the reputation of our business.
• Increase our share of the client’sclients spend.
• Exploit opportunities for cross selling our full spectrum of services & locations.
• Leading interfaces with design and engineering elements of our business.
• Upskilling others and providing career growth opportunity.
• Drive high levels of client satisfaction.

Project leadership:

• Having leadership skills necessary to direct and manage the project team.
• Having responsibility, under minimum supervision, delivering portfolios and projects.
• Be the ambassador for AtkinsRéalis, your profession and the professional institution to which you belong.
• Providing guidance and technical advice to different stakeholders, including effectively chairing meetings.
• Clear understanding of and competence in project commercial accountability.

Technical leadership:

• Actively broaden your experience and expertise in line with the core competencies.
• Have an up-to-date and developing knowledge of legal and technical matters relevant to the work you do, and the law of the region or country in which you practice.
• Participating in relevant internal/external training initiatives.
• Applying the concepts of quality assurance and environmental management.
• Managing the client relationship and service delivery.

Team building and management:

Managing and helping grow our service and sector-focussed teams.

Lead a team of Cost Managers at various levels within a project delivery environment.

Lead a team of Cost Managers at various levels within AtkinsRéalis.

Mentoring and developing your team.

Attributes:

• Proven track record to supervise projects for or on behalf of local or national Complex Infrastructure clients.
• Proven track record of working in a consultancy environment, delivering exceptional projects, and managing teams.
• Degree qualified in a construction or finance related field. Preferably with RICS, ICE, AACE, ACostE or similar.

Why work for AtkinsRéalis?

Join our Project & Programme Services team and expand your career on some of the industry's most exciting and newsworthy construction projects – from Sizewell C to the world's tallest hotel, London's Heathrow Airport to Europe's first eco-friendly mosque. You'll enjoy invaluable exposure to international expertise as well as innovation in local niche areas. Communities are at the heart of our work and our people are proud to be working towards a Net Zero Carbon future and regenerating cities across the UK.

Corporate Social Responsibility | AtkinsRéalis Careers (atkinsrealis.com)

AtkinsRéalis is committed to developing its people both personally and professionally. Our colleagues have the advantage of access to a high ranging training portfolio and development activities designed to help make the best of individual’s abilities and talents. We also actively support staff in achieving corporate membership of relevant institutions.

Careers at AtkinsRéalis (atkinsrealis.com)

Meeting your needs:

To help you get the most out of life in and outside of work, we offer employees "Total Reward." It's a package that can be tailored to your changing lifestyle, career and personal needs.

Making sure you're supported is important to us. So, if you identify as having a disability, tell us ahead of your interview, and we’ll discuss any adjustments you might need.

New name, new era. We are AtkinsRéalis.  It will take some time for all our information to update – you can still refer to our fantastic benefits via the link below:

YourReward at AtkinsRéalis (atkinsrealis.com)

Additional Information:

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance.  If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop. To help embed inclusion for all, from day one, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee networks to support staff from different backgrounds. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.

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