Senior Cost Manager (Senior Cost Engineer)

We’re looking for a strategic and influential Senior Cost Manager to play a key leadership role within our PMO team in Capital Delivery.

In this role, you’ll take ownership of cost management across a dynamic programme of wastewater projects, driving strong financial governance, enhancing cost performance, and ensuring best-in-class cost control throughout the project lifecycle.

You won’t just be managing numbers; you’ll be shaping decisions. Acting as a trusted expert, you’ll bring the confidence to challenge, influence senior stakeholders, and elevate standards across the programme.

You’ll also lead and develop a small team, fostering capability and ensuring consistent, high-quality cost intelligence across all projects.

This is a high-impact, visible role where your expertise will directly support the delivery of essential services to millions of people across the North West.

Strategic influence – Shape programme decisions and drive financial performance

Leadership opportunity – Develop and mentor emerging talent

Meaningful impact – Contribute to vital infrastructure and regulatory commitments

Supportive culture – Learn, grow and take action without unnecessary bureaucracy

You’ll be joining a diverse PMO team, from apprentices to seasoned experts, where collaboration, development and doing the right thing are at the heart of how we work.

Our ambition? To act as the “intelligent Sat-Nav” guiding successful project delivery.

Leading programme cost management, including budgets, forecasts, and performance tracking

Partnering with Planning, Risk, Controls, and Project Managers to ensure accurate, joined-up cost data

Driving cost control processes including commitments, accrals, and financial reporting

Providing clear insights, identifying risks, trends, and variances against baseline

Managing and implementing changes to programme baseline effectively

Leading and developing a small team of Cost Managers

Embedding consistent standards, governance, and best practice across the programme

You’re a confident, proactive cost professional who thrives in a fast-paced project environment and enjoys influencing outcomes.

You’ll bring:

Strong expertise in Cost Control, Project Controls, or Programme Delivery

Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and challenge stakeholders

Experience using Primavera P6

A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with confidence to raise and resolve issues

Experience developing or mentoring others within a project controls environment

Degree-level education or equivalent experience

Professional qualifications (APM, PMI or similar)

Knowledge of NEC4 contracts

We believe in rewarding our people and helping them thrive:

26 days holiday + 8 bank holidays

Up to 14% employer pension contribution (21% combined)

10.5% bonus scheme + recognition awards

Comprehensive healthcare plan

Flexible and hybrid working options

To deliver high-quality water for a greener, healthier, and more prosperous North West.

We’re proud to be recognised as a Top 50 Inclusive Employer (ranked #4 in the UK) and we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone can grow, succeed and truly belong.

When you join us, you’re not just building a career, you’re helping shape sustainable infrastructure for generations to come.