Senior Cost Controller

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Controller to provide cost management leadership across complex capital projects. This role is responsible for delivering accurate, timely, and insightful cost control services that support project teams in making informed decisions throughout the project lifecycle.
The successful candidate will be a trusted advisor to project leadership, driving cost performance, ensuring data integrity, identifying emerging risks and opportunities, and supporting effective project governance. You will work closely with project management, planning, procurement, contracts, engineering, finance, and site teams to deliver integrated project controls solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Control & Reporting

• Lead and manage all cost control activities for assigned projects and work packages.
• Establish and maintain project cost baselines, budgets, Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), and cost coding frameworks.
• Manage and monitor budgets, commitments, actual costs, Value of Work Done (VOWD), accruals, forecasts, cash flow, and Estimate at Completion (EAC).
• Prepare and deliver monthly cost reports, variance analysis, trend reporting, and performance insights.
• Provide clear recommendations and decision-support information to Project Managers and senior stakeholders.
• Monitor project performance against approved baselines using project controls and earned value principles where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate time-phased commitment and cash flow forecasts.

Forecasting & Change Management

• Integrate cost forecasts with project scope, schedules, procurement activities, and contract status.
• Assess project changes, trends, and variations, ensuring approved changes are accurately reflected in budgets and forecasts.
• Identify potential cost risks, productivity impacts, and commercial issues, and recommend corrective actions.

Commercial & Contract Management Support

• Review and validate contractor progress claims, invoices, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure accurate month-end accruals and cost allocation across relevant cost centres and project structures.
• Work collaboratively with Contracts and Procurement teams to ensure financial commitments are accurately captured and managed.

Governance & Assurance

• Maintain the integrity and quality of cost data within project controls and ERP systems.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies, variances, and data quality issues.
• Support audits, compliance reviews, project assurance activities, and governance requirements.
• Contribute to capital planning, funding submissions, owner estimates, phase-gate reviews, and project closeout activities.

Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Mentor and support Cost Controllers and other project controls personnel.
• Promote consistency, quality, and best-practice cost management standards.
• Drive process improvements, reporting enhancements, automation initiatives, and data analytics capabilities.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Minimum 8 years' experience in Cost Control, Project Controls, or related project services roles.
• Experience within resources, mining, energy, infrastructure, oil & gas, or major construction projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing cost control for medium to large capital projects through execution and closeout.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Budgeting and forecasting
  • Commitments management
  • VOWD and progress measurement
  • Accruals and cost reconciliation
  • Cash flow forecasting
  • Estimate at Completion (EAC)
  • Variance and trend analysis
  • Change management processes
• Ability to integrate cost, schedule, procurement, contract, and scope information to drive project performance.
• Experience reviewing contractor claims, invoices, and progress reporting.
• Strong knowledge of project controls principles, WBS structures, baseline management, and earned value methodologies.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the confidence to challenge assumptions and influence decision-making.

Desirable

• Experience with Power BI and project cost management systems.
• Experience with ERP and project controls platforms such as PIMS, Omega, SAP, Oracle, Pronto, or similar.
• Previous mentoring or leadership experience within project controls teams.
• Exposure to process automation and reporting improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in:
  • Engineering
  • Commerce
  • Finance
  • Quantity Surveying
  • Construction Management
  • Project Controls
  • Or a related discipline
• Relevant project management, cost engineering, or project controls certifications are highly regarded.

 
 
DRD Group is a specialist recruitment provider renowned for recruiting quality project teams on major projects within the Energy, Resources, Defence, Renewables and Infrastructure sectors.

DRD Group embraces a diverse workforce culture and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply. All work assignments are subject to successful completion of a medical, drug and alcohol screen plus verification of all original certifications and qualifications.

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